Is Vaughan a Good Place to Buy a Home in 2026? Market Insights
Honest assessment of Vaughan's real estate market with 2025 data, pros/cons, and who should (and shouldn't) buy here.
The Short Answer: Yes, But It Depends
Vaughan is an excellent choice if you: Prioritize newer homes, modern amenities, suburban space, strong schools, and lower property taxes than Toronto. The average price of $1,195,000 (Nov 2025) offers more space per dollar than comparable Toronto neighborhoods.
Vaughan may NOT be ideal if you: Need downtown proximity, prefer walkable urban lifestyle, rely on extensive transit options, or want historic character. Commutes to Toronto average 45-75 minutes during rush hour.
Vaughan Market Overview: November 2025 Data
Vaughan's real estate market in late 2025 presents a buyer's market with moderating prices and increased inventory. According to York Region News, November 2025 saw 231 home sales with an average price of $1,194,793—down 3.2% from November 2024.
Average Price
$1.19M
-3.2% YoY
Median Price
$1.05M
All types
Days on Market
37
Average
Inventory
7 mo
Buyer's market
Price by Property Type (Nov 2025):
- • Detached Homes: $1,515,000 avg (-1.4% YoY)
- • Semi-Detached: $995,000 avg (-7.8% YoY)
- • Townhomes: $799,000 avg (-8.1% YoY)
- • Condos (VMC): $650,000-$850,000 (varies by size/building)
The Pros: Why Vaughan Wins for Many Buyers
1. More Space for Your Money
A $1.5M detached home in Vaughan gets you 3,000-3,500 sq ft with a modern layout, garage, and yard. The same budget in Toronto buys a 2,000 sq ft semi-detached or older fixer-upper in neighborhoods like East York or Scarborough.
Example: A 4-bed, 3-bath new build in Kleinburg averages $1.6M vs $2.2M+ for equivalent in North Toronto.
2. Excellent Schools (Public & Private)
Vaughan's schools consistently rank high on the Fraser Institute rankings. Top performers include:
- • St. Elizabeth Catholic HS: 9.7/10 (consistently #1 in York Region)
- • Thornhill SS: 9.1/10 (academic excellence, strong AP program)
- • Maple HS: 8.6/10 (diverse programs, sports)
- • Silver Stream PS: 9.2/10 (elementary, sought-after)
Bonus: Private options like Crescent School ($36K/year) accessible for high-income families.
3. Lower Property Taxes Than Toronto
Vaughan's 2025 residential tax rate is 0.697427% vs Toronto's 0.711197%. On a $1.2M home:
- • Vaughan: $8,369 annual property tax
- • Toronto: $8,534 annual property tax
- • Savings: ~$165/year (small but adds up over time)
4. Modern Infrastructure & Amenities
Most Vaughan neighborhoods were developed post-2000, offering:
- • Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC): New subway terminus, SmartCentres Place, KPMG Tower
- • Vaughan Mills: 1.3M sq ft shopping, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
- • Canada's Wonderland: Major entertainment hub (summer employment for teens)
- • Healthcare: Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital (2021), Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital (2021)
5. Strong Community & Cultural Diversity
Vaughan is Canada's 17th largest city (population: 323,000+) with vibrant multicultural communities:
- • Italian, Jewish, Chinese, South Asian populations create diverse dining/cultural scene
- • Family-oriented: 78% of households are families with children (vs 66% in Toronto)
- • Safe: Crime rate 25% lower than Toronto average
The Cons: Where Vaughan Falls Short
1. Car-Dependent Lifestyle
Vaughan is NOT walkable outside VMC core. Walk Scores:
- • VMC area: 55/100 ("Somewhat Walkable")
- • Maple: 28/100 ("Car-Dependent")
- • Kleinburg: 12/100 ("Very Car-Dependent")
Expect to drive for groceries, errands, kids' activities. Budget $600-800/month for vehicle costs (gas, insurance, maintenance).
2. Limited Transit Options
Only the VMC area has subway access (Yonge-University Line extension, opened 2017). Rest of Vaughan relies on YRT buses (infrequent, limited evening/weekend service).
Commute to downtown Toronto: 50-75 min by car (Highway 400/407 + DVP), 60-90 min by transit. Factor in $15-20/day 407 ETR tolls if avoiding traffic.
3. Lacks Historic Character & Urban Vibrancy
Vaughan neighborhoods (except Kleinburg/Thornhill) were built in the 1990s-2020s with cookie-cutter subdivisions. If you value historic architecture, walkable main streets, independent cafes, or urban energy—Vaughan won't deliver.
4. Slower Price Appreciation Than Toronto
Historical data (2010-2020): Vaughan homes appreciated ~5% annually vs Toronto's ~7% annually. While prices remain strong, they lag Toronto's investment returns.
Reason: Abundant land for new developments caps appreciation vs Toronto's land-constrained premium.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Buy in Vaughan?
Vaughan IS Right for You If:
- ✓ You have a family (or planning one) and want space/safety
- ✓ You work in Vaughan, Markham, or North York (short commute)
- ✓ Top schools are a priority for your kids
- ✓ You prefer suburban lifestyle with yard/garage
- ✓ You own a car and don't mind driving
- ✓ You want newer homes (less maintenance)
- ✓ You value cultural diversity and community events
Vaughan Is NOT Right for You If:
- ✗ You work downtown Toronto (long commute drains quality of life)
- ✗ You prefer walkable, transit-friendly urban living
- ✗ You don't own a car or dislike driving
- ✗ You want nightlife, entertainment, cultural scene
- ✗ You value historic architecture or unique character
- ✗ You're a young professional seeking downtown lifestyle
- ✗ You prioritize investment returns (Toronto appreciates faster)
Investment Outlook: What to Expect in 2026-2030
Market Forecast & Analysis
Short-term (2026): Expect continued buyer's market conditions with modest price corrections (0-5% decline possible). Inventory will remain elevated as sellers adjust expectations.
Medium-term (2027-2028): As Bank of Canada lowers rates to 2.25-2.75%, demand will strengthen. Vaughan prices should stabilize and resume 2-3% annual growth.
Long-term (2029-2030): Population growth (Vaughan targets 430,000 by 2031) and limited land supply will support steady appreciation. Expect 4-5% annual growth as market normalizes.
Bottom Line: Vaughan is a solid 10-20 year hold for family housing, NOT a get-rich-quick flip market.
Final Verdict: Is Vaughan Worth It in 2026?
Yes, Vaughan is an excellent choice for families prioritizing space, schools, safety, and modern amenities over urban lifestyle. With prices down 3-8% YoY and inventory high, 2026 favors buyers who can tolerate the car-dependent lifestyle and commute trade-offs.
If you work in Toronto's core, seriously evaluate whether the commute stress justifies the extra space. A $1.2M condo in midtown Toronto might offer better quality of life than a $1.5M Vaughan detached home if you're spending 3 hours/day commuting.
Best Strategy: Visit Vaughan neighborhoods, test the commute during rush hour, and compare your lifestyle priorities vs. housing budget. The numbers work for many families—but only if the lifestyle fits.