August 2026 averages were $1,205,777 in Richmond Hill and $1,208,692 in Markham; the detached gap is $56,140. Here's who each city is for.
Updated September 27, 2026 with TRREB August 2026 data.
Richmond Hill and Markham cost almost the same on average, $1,205,777 against $1,208,692 in August 2026, a gap of $2,915, but a detached home averaged $56,140 more in Richmond Hill ($1,667,913 against $1,611,773) while a condo apartment averaged $99,823 less ($538,509 against $638,332). Averages describe the homes sold, not what identical homes would cost in each city. Start with Markham real estate for the lower detached average and faster listing absorption. Explore Richmond Hill real estate for the lower condo apartment average and more inventory relative to sales.
How Do Home Prices, Selling Conditions and Commutes Compare?
The prices are close, but the selling conditions and station choices give you different reasons to look at each city.
| Metric | Richmond Hill | Markham |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price (Aug 2026) | $1,205,777 | $1,208,692 |
| Median Price | $1,068,888 | $1,095,000 |
| Detached Average | $1,667,913 | $1,611,773 |
| Townhouse Average | $1,030,927 | $1,031,119 |
| Condo Apartment Average | $538,509 | $638,332 |
| Year-over-Year Change (avg) | -3.3% | +6.4% |
| SNLR Trend | 33.1% | 40.3% |
| Avg Listing Days on Market | 37 | 33 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 97% | 98% |
| GO Station / Time to Union | Richmond Hill GO / 50 minutes* | Markham GO / 52 minutes* |
| Population (2021 Census) | 202,022 | 338,503 |
Source: TRREB Market Watch, August 2026, with year-over-year calculations against the August 2025 report; 2021 Census, Statistics Canada; GO Transit timetables (see note). SNLR Trend uses a 12-month moving average. *Weekday train 5008 (Richmond Hill GO 7:10 a.m., Union 8:00 a.m., Table 61 effective 25 April 2026) and train 7709 (Markham GO 7:28 a.m., Union 8:20 a.m., Table 71 effective 5 and 8 September 2026). Scheduled in-train examples only; check current schedules.
Richmond Hill homes sold in 37 average listing days against Markham's 33; that measures the sold listing's exposure, excluding time across relistings and the wait to closing. Sale-to-list ratios were 97% and 98%, respectively, while the SNLR Trend comparison uses a 12-month moving average of sales to new listings, so it describes a smoothed balance rather than August's sales divided by August's new listings.
How Do Prices Compare, and What Do You Get for the Money?
A $2,915 gap between city averages won't settle your search. Detached homes accounted for 46.0% of Richmond Hill sales and 48.6% in Markham, so that part of the mix was similar. Markham had 57 condo apartment sales against Richmond Hill's 33. Those counts describe activity; the larger count alone doesn't explain the difference between city averages.
For a detached buyer, Markham's $1,611,773 average was $56,140 below Richmond Hill's $1,667,913. That gives you a reason to compare homes across the boundary, but it doesn't price an identical house in each city. Lot size, condition and the properties that happened to sell still matter.
Average Price by Property Type, August 2026
| Property Type | Richmond Hill | Richmond Hill sales | Markham | Markham sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,667,913 | 74 | $1,611,773 | 137 |
| Semi-Detached | $1,040,000 | 6 | $958,133 | 15 |
| Townhouse | $1,030,927 | 38 | $1,031,119 | 39 |
| Condo Townhouse | $716,839 | 9 | $812,567 | 28 |
| Condo Apartment | $538,509 | 33 | $638,332 | 57 |
Source: TRREB Market Watch, August 2026 (detached p. 7, semi-detached p. 9, townhouse p. 11, condo townhouse p. 13, condo apartment p. 15). Segments with fewer than 10 sales are thin and unreliable, shown for reference only.
The detached comparison covers 74 sales in Richmond Hill and 137 in Markham. Condo apartments reverse the direction: $538,509 against $638,332, or $99,823 lower in Richmond Hill. That's a useful starting point, not a rule that every Richmond Hill condo is cheaper. Townhouses were almost level at $1,030,927 and $1,031,119.
Richmond Hill's semi-detached and condo townhouse figures come from just 6 and 9 sales. Those samples are thin and unreliable for trends. I wouldn't use them to choose a city.
Richmond Hill's August average sits within its September 2025 to August 2026 range of $1,166,816 to $1,334,199. Markham's was its highest since October 2025. The linked Richmond Hill housing market page covers March 2026; keep that older context separate from these August figures.
How Do Richmond Hill and Markham Neighbourhoods Differ in Location and Price?
These community averages cover Q1 2026, not August. They combine home types, so use them to start a shortlist rather than price a particular property.
If a large detached lot is your priority, explore Bayview Hill, east of Bayview and south of 16th. Its Q1 2026 average was $2,611,554 from 9 sales. That's a thin sample, not a dependable trend.
For an older village setting, try Mill Pond, west of Yonge around the pond and Mill Street. The Q1 2026 average was $1,310,941 from 17 sales. That modest sample also calls for caution.
If you want Richmond Hill's north end, look at Oak Ridges around Yonge and King Road on the moraine. Its Q1 2026 average was $1,280,674 across 36 sales. You can compare the settings through all Richmond Hill neighbourhoods.
In Markham, start with Unionville if a heritage main street appeals to you. Around Kennedy and Highway 7, its Q1 2026 average was $960,767 across 110 sales. That all-home-type figure isn't a detached-home benchmark.
For a search near Markham Stouffville Hospital, consider Cornell, east of Markham Road around 16th Avenue. Its Q1 2026 average was $971,202 from 40 sales. The hospital location gives you a concrete reason to explore the area.
Berczy puts your search north of 16th between Kennedy and McCowan. Its Q1 2026 average was $1,274,993 across 31 sales. Markham neighbourhood guides are coming; these locations and figures provide a starting point meanwhile.
How Do Schools Compare in Richmond Hill and Markham?
The Fraser Institute's 2025 elementary report uses 2023/24 performance results. In Richmond Hill, Silver Stream Public School received 9.3 out of 10 and ranked 74; Bayview Hill Elementary School received 8.0 and ranked 351. Markham's Castlemore Public School received 9.2 and ranked 88, while Stonebridge Public School received 9.1 and ranked 97.
Ties share a rank. These are individual examples, not a city-wide school verdict or a promise that a home gives you admission. If a school matters to your purchase, use the board's school locator for the exact address before you commit. Don't infer a catchment from a neighbourhood name or a nearby school sign. The address check belongs alongside the home search, rather than after you've chosen a property.
Which Has the Better Commute to Toronto?
The morning Richmond Hill line train 5008 leaves Richmond Hill GO at 7:10 a.m. and reaches Union at 8:00 a.m., a 50-minute ride. Langstaff GO takes 44 minutes on that train. Those times come from the timetable effective 25 April 2026.
On the Stouffville line, train 7709 leaves Markham GO at 7:28 a.m. and arrives at 8:20 a.m., a 52-minute ride; Unionville GO takes 41 minutes. That timetable is effective 5 and 8 September 2026.
These named weekday journeys are in-train times, not every service or your door-to-door commute. Add station access, waiting and your final walk. Highway 404 forms the shared boundary, and Highway 407 crosses both cities. Recheck current train schedules before relying on these journeys.
Which One Fits the Way You Want to Live?
If you want an older village setting, compare Mill Pond with Main Street Unionville. Both give you an established core to explore: Mill Pond centres on the pond and Mill Street west of Yonge, while Unionville offers its heritage Main Street around Kennedy and Highway 7. Choose between those actual settings before choosing between city averages.
For detached space on a large lot, start in Richmond Hill's Bayview Hill. For a northern setting on the Oak Ridges Moraine, explore Oak Ridges. Hillcrest Mall and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital are Richmond Hill anchors to weigh against the homes you're considering.
If your work or errands pull you toward Markham, consider Downtown Markham at Highway 7 and Warden, IBM Canada, AMD and Pacific Mall. For proximity to Markham Stouffville Hospital, Cornell is a sensible area to explore.
Choose Richmond Hill if its condo pricing or Mill Pond and Oak Ridges settings fit your priorities. Choose Markham if its detached pricing and access to the Markham destinations you use fit better.
What Does the Market Look Like Right Now in August 2026?
Markham looks tighter on the smoothed measures. Its SNLR Trend was 40.3% against Richmond Hill's 33.1%, and Months of Inventory Trend was 4.1 against 5.6. Both use 12-month moving averages. More inventory relative to sales can give you more alternatives; fewer alternatives can reduce negotiating room.
Markham's 33 average listing days and 98% sale-to-list ratio compare with 37 days and 97% in Richmond Hill. Those ratios don't establish discounts from original asking prices, and city averages don't promise terms on your next offer.
Use the Richmond Hill housing market page for earlier March context and the August figures here for this comparison. If your search also includes Vaughan, compare that market separately before deciding where to focus.
What Are the Most Common Questions About Richmond Hill vs. Markham?
Is Richmond Hill or Markham more expensive?
August 2026 averages were $1,205,777 in Richmond Hill and $1,208,692 in Markham, only $2,915 apart. Detached homes averaged $1,667,913 and $1,611,773, respectively; condo apartments went the other way at $538,509 and $638,332. These averages reflect the homes sold. They don't establish what an identical home would cost across the boundary, so start with the property type you want.
Is Markham a good place to live for families?
It can be, depending on your housing and location needs. Detached homes accounted for 48.6% of August sales. Castlemore Public School scored 9.2 and ranked 88; Stonebridge Public School scored 9.1 and ranked 97 in the Fraser Institute's 2025 report using 2023/24 results. Markham Stouffville Hospital is another local anchor. Check school assignment by address; these examples don't establish a city-wide winner.
Which has the faster commute to downtown Toronto?
Unionville GO takes 41 minutes and Markham GO 52 minutes on the same morning train to Union. Richmond Hill GO takes 50 minutes and Langstaff GO 44 minutes on their shared morning train. These are the dated weekday journeys described above, not every service. Add access and waiting time to compare your commute, and check current schedules.
Which market is tighter right now, Richmond Hill or Markham?
Markham was tighter on August 2026's smoothed measures: SNLR Trend was 40.3% versus Richmond Hill's 33.1%, and Months of Inventory Trend was 4.1 versus 5.6. Both are 12-month moving averages. Markham's average listing days were 33 against 37. That can mean less negotiating room when suitable alternatives are scarce, but it doesn't predict the outcome for an individual home.
What about Aurora or Newmarket?
Aurora sits north of Richmond Hill and averaged $1,105,004 in August 2026, below Richmond Hill's average; see Aurora vs Richmond Hill if you're considering that move. Newmarket is also north of Richmond Hill and averaged $1,048,321 that month; Richmond Hill vs Newmarket can help you compare that option. Treat those averages as starting points and compare the type of home you actually need.
Are property taxes higher in Richmond Hill or Markham?
Richmond Hill's 2026 total residential rate is higher at 0.760104%, compared with Markham's 0.722889%. The York Region and education portions are identical, so the rate difference is local. Your bill uses the MPAC assessed value based on January 1, 2016, not the purchase price. Compare the assessments for the specific homes before deciding which would cost more in tax.
So, Should You Buy in Richmond Hill or Markham?
For a detached search, I'd start by comparing Markham's lower average with the Richmond Hill homes that meet your needs. For a condo apartment, Richmond Hill's lower average earns it a place on your shortlist. Explore Richmond Hill real estate and Markham real estate with that property-type distinction in mind.
If you're considering Bayview Hill, Mill Pond or Unionville, let's compare specific homes: their lots, condition, asking prices and the routes you'll use. You can talk to Team Zold about the choices in front of you. Bring the homes you're weighing up, and we'll work through the differences that matter to your purchase.
Shawn Zigelstein, Broker
Team Zold, Royal LePage Signature Realty
š (416) 855-5525
š www.teamzold.com