Markham and Richmond Hill are often considered by the same GTA home buyers, but choosing between them should not begin with a broad winner. The useful question is which specific property and location better support your priorities, budget, and regular travel.
A better comparison method
- Compare equivalent property types and conditions.
- Test recurring travel from the exact address.
- Verify taxes, fees, utilities, and maintenance.
- Review nearby land use and future development.
- Consider how the home may work as your needs change.
For city-specific research, open the full guides to moving from Toronto to Markham and moving from Toronto to Richmond Hill.
Compare housing on an equal basis
A detached home in one neighbourhood should not be compared casually with a townhouse or condominium in another. Match the ownership type, approximate size, age, condition, parking, lot characteristics, and renovation quality. Then compare recent local sales and current competition.
| Decision area | What to verify in Markham | What to verify in Richmond Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Property type, age, condition, lot, and ownership structure | Property type, age, condition, lot, and ownership structure |
| Travel | Door-to-door route using your actual schedule | Door-to-door route using your actual schedule |
| Costs | Current tax bill, fees, utilities, insurance, repairs | Current tax bill, fees, utilities, insurance, repairs |
| Surroundings | Existing land uses and current planning information | Existing land uses and current planning information |
| Long-term fit | Layout, flexibility, access, and resale considerations | Layout, flexibility, access, and resale considerations |
Transportation: measure the trip you will actually make
Both cities have access to regional and local transit, but the experience depends on the address and destination. Use the GO Transit system map and current official schedules. Include the trip to the station, parking or transfers, the final connection, and a realistic buffer.
Do this before offering: Test your most important trip at the relevant time on a normal weekday. A short distance on a map may not equal a simple daily routine.
Property taxes: verify the actual bill
Do not compare cities using a tax estimate detached from a specific property. Assessed value and applicable rates matter. Review the current bill and municipal information for the home you are considering:
Add utilities, insurance, condominium or common-element fees, and a maintenance reserve to create a complete ownership comparison.
Neighbourhood feel cannot be reduced to a city label
Street pattern, housing age, density, parks, commercial access, traffic, and future development can vary within each city. Walk or drive the immediate area more than once. Pay attention to the property behind the property, traffic at different times, parking, noise, drainage, and how you reach everyday services.
Use current primary sources for schools and planning
If schools influence your search, verify boundaries, programs, transportation, and enrollment directly with the appropriate school board. For development, consult current municipal planning sources. Do not rely only on a listing description, an old article, or third-party rankings.
Factor in the home you already own
For move-up buyers, the “better” city may be the one where a suitable property can be purchased within a safe transaction plan. Estimate your usable home equity, determine whether you will sell or buy first, and include closing costs and a reserve.
A simple scoring exercise
- List five requirements that would make you reject a property if missing.
- Assign a weight to travel, home type, budget, condition, and location.
- Score individual properties—not entire cities—from one to five.
- Record facts that still need verification.
- Revisit the score after the second viewing and professional due diligence.
This comparison is general information and does not rank communities or predict investment results. Verify property, tax, school, transportation, and planning information using current sources.
Compare homes, not stereotypes
I can help you build an evidence-based shortlist in Markham and Richmond Hill, review comparable sales, and connect the purchase to your current-home strategy.
For the complete planning framework, see the GTA move-up home buyer guide.
Related buyer guides
- Moving from Toronto to Vaughan
- Toronto condo-to-house guide
- Discuss a tailored property shortlist
- GTA home buyer services
Content and links reviewed November 8, 2026.
