If you're looking for a city that genuinely punches above its weight — strong employment, top schools, rich culture, and solid long-term real estate fundamentals — Markham belongs at the top of your list. As someone who works with buyers and sellers across York Region every day, I see firsthand why families and investors keep coming back to this market.
Markham: Canada's Silicon Valley North
Markham hosts the highest concentration of technology companies in Canada outside of Toronto's downtown core. IBM, AMD, Honeywell, Huawei, and dozens of other global tech firms have Canadian headquarters here. That's not a marketing tagline — it's a meaningful driver of sustained housing demand.
Beyond tech, Markham is one of Canada's most diverse cities. Over 60% of residents identify as visible minorities, and the cultural fabric shows in the food, festivals, business community, and school populations. For families relocating from multicultural urban centres, Markham often feels like a natural fit.
Neighbourhoods Worth Knowing
Markham's geography is a patchwork of distinct communities, and where you buy matters a lot. Here's a quick breakdown:
- Unionville — Markham's most prestigious neighbourhood. The heritage village core along Main Street is walkable, charming, and genuinely beautiful. Prices reflect it — expect a premium over the city average.
- Cornell — A planned new-urbanist community with tight grid streets, front porches, and a strong sense of design. Popular with young families.
- Markham Village — Older stock, mature trees, character homes. A quieter, more established feel than the newer subdivisions.
- Berczy Village — Master-planned and family-oriented, with excellent parks and schools. One of the more balanced options for value and lifestyle.
- Wismer Commons — Newer builds, strong school catchments, and a solid commuter location near Highway 407.
What Are Homes Actually Selling For?
As of early 2026, the Markham market looks like this:
| Property Type | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Detached | $1,100,000 – $2,000,000 | Unionville commands the top end |
| Townhome | $850,000 – $1,100,000 | Freehold preferred; condo towns lower |
| Condo | $550,000 – $750,000 | Strong rental demand near Highway 7 |
| City Average | ~$1,250,000 | Average days on market: ~27 |
Markham's days-on-market figure of around 27 tells you this is not a stale market. Well-priced homes in desirable neighbourhoods — particularly Unionville and Berczy — still generate multiple offers in the spring selling season.
Schools That Actually Matter
Markham's school system is one of the most common reasons families choose it over other York Region municipalities. A few standouts:
- Bill Crothers Secondary School — A provincial sport and arts school with a national reputation for athletics. Kids from across the region apply for admission.
- Markham District High School — Strong academic programming, large IB community.
- Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School — Consistently high EQAO scores and a well-regarded AP program.
- York Catholic District School Board — Strong options throughout, including Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy.
If schools are driving your purchase decision, I always recommend verifying current catchment boundaries directly with the board before you make an offer — they do shift, and it matters.
Getting Around: Transit and Highways
Markham's transit picture is genuinely solid for a suburb:
- VIVA BRT on Highway 7 — Rapid bus transit connecting Markham to Richmond Hill and Vaughan. Faster than it sounds during peak hours.
- GO Transit — Stouffville Line — Connects Cornell and Unionville GO stations to Union Station in downtown Toronto. Realistic commute of 45–65 minutes door-to-door.
- Highway 407 — Toll highway running east-west through the heart of Markham. Quick westbound access to Highway 400 and the 427 corridor.
- Highway 404 / DVP — Southbound into Toronto for drivers.
If you work at one of the tech campuses along Highway 7 or in the Enterprise Boulevard cluster, you may not even need the GO. That's a real quality-of-life advantage.
Why Buyers Keep Choosing Markham
I talk to a lot of buyers who initially consider Markham because of price, then stay for everything else. The combination of tech-sector employment, genuinely diverse communities, top-performing schools, and solid transit access creates durable demand. Markham isn't just a place people move to for affordability — it's a place people choose to stay.
For sellers, that sustained demand translates to strong resale value, particularly in Unionville and the newer planned communities. If you've owned in Markham for five or more years, you're almost certainly sitting on meaningful equity.
Work With a Local Expert in Markham
Arsh Chauhan is a RE/MAX real estate agent based in Kleinburg, Ontario, with hands-on experience representing buyers and sellers across Markham and the broader Greater Toronto Area. Whether you're navigating your first purchase, selling a family home, or looking for investment opportunities in Markham, Arsh brings local market insight and a no-pressure approach to every conversation.
Book a free consultation or get a free home evaluation to find out exactly what your Markham home is worth today.