Editor's note, October 6, 2026: this article was reviewed and rewritten in our accuracy check. An earlier version contained neighbourhood price levels, rent tables and market statistics we could not trace to a published source; they have been removed or replaced with figures from the sources listed at the end of the article.
Vaughan is a city in York Region, directly north of Toronto. Its population was 323,103 in the 2021 Census. It includes established communities such as Woodbridge, Maple, Thornhill (shared with Markham) and the village of Kleinburg, as well as a fast-growing high-rise downtown at the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC).
Getting around
- TTC Line 1 runs to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre station, opened in December 2017, with a bus terminal for York Region Transit.
- GO Transit's Barrie line stops at Rutherford and Maple stations.
- Highways 400, 407 and 427 cross the city.
Homes
Most of Vaughan's housing is detached and semi-detached homes and townhouses, with condo towers concentrated at the VMC and along major corridors. For condos near the VMC, compare building fees and the reserve fund in the status certificate; for older homes, see our inspection guide.
Taxes
Outside the City of Toronto there's no municipal land transfer tax, so on a $1,000,000 purchase you pay Ontario's tax only: $16,475 (an eligible first-time buyer gets up to $4,000 of it refunded). In Toronto the same purchase costs $32,950 with both taxes.
Prices: TRREB publishes monthly sales and prices for York Region, including Vaughan by municipality in its Market Watch. Look at recent sold prices for the specific community and property type, and ask an agent for a comparative market analysis. For context, the GTA-wide average in August 2026 was $993,410 (detached $1,288,669; condo apartment $617,593).
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay Toronto's land transfer tax if I buy in Vaughan?
No. Toronto's municipal land transfer tax applies only to property in the City of Toronto. In Vaughan you pay Ontario's land transfer tax, and an eligible first-time buyer can get up to $4,000 of it refunded.
How is my property tax worked out?
Your bill is your property's assessed value, set by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), multiplied by the total tax rate. Ontario has postponed province-wide reassessment, so 2026 property taxes are still based on assessed values as of January 1, 2016. A recent buyer's bill therefore reflects that 2016 value, not the price paid.
Can I add a second or third unit?
Since Ontario's More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, most residential lots with full municipal water and sewer services can have up to three units as of right (for example a basement apartment and a garden or garage suite), subject to the municipality's zoning and the Building Code. Check Vaughan's zoning by-law and get permits before you count on rental income from a new unit.
Is there a vacant home or vacant unit tax in Vaughan?
Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton have one; most other Ontario municipalities don't. If you're buying a second property or a home you may leave empty, check Vaughan's own rules.
Which school boards serve Vaughan?
The York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board run the English-language public and Catholic schools. French-language boards also operate. Catchments go by address, so check each board's school locator for the homes you're considering.
How long is the commute to downtown Toronto?
From the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, Line 1 runs directly to downtown; from Maple or Rutherford, the GO Barrie line runs to Union Station. Check current schedules for the station nearest the home and time the drive at rush hour.
Thinking about buying here? Search current listings and recent sales on Summitly, talk to a licensed Summitly agent who works the area, or ask Zara, Summitly's AI virtual agent, for a neighbourhood briefing.
