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Home Affordability Reports

The GTA’s Best Bargains: Where to Buy a Home and How Much You’ll Save

Angela Serednicki by Angela Serednicki
December 18, 2024
in Affordability Reports, Toronto Real Estate
Reading Time: 5 mins read
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Whether you’re searching for a detached home, a semi-detached townhouse, or a condo apartment, there are still pockets of affordability waiting to be discovered. Using the latest November 2024 report from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), Zoocasa highlighted GTA’s most budget-friendly areas, showing where you can save big while finding a home for your lifestyle. From townhouses under $700K to budget-friendly condos, these savings can help you grow equity and become a homeowner faster than you may have originally anticipated. 

Cheapest Area in the GTA to Find a House

The scenic Township of Essa is the cheapest area in the GTA to find a house, offering a more affordable alternative to the regional average. While detached homes across the GTA average a hefty $1,369,132, Essa’s average price of $709,583 delivers a remarkable 48.2% savings—nearly half the cost.

  • Read: Condos in Canada are Approaching a $1M Average Faster Than You Think  

Where to find more affordable detached homes based on average prices:

  • Brock: $715,389
  • Georgina: $829,767
  • Oshawa: $859,463

Quick Geography: Where is Essa?

Not familiar with Essa? Located southwest of Barrie and about 100 kilometres north of Toronto, Essa offers small-town charm while still being accessible to the city—perfect for day trips or weekend getaways.

  • Related: No Kids, No Problem: How DINKs Outpace Families With Children in Home Savings 

Cheap Semi-Detached Houses for Sale in the GTA

If you’ve got your eye on an affordable semi-detached home, head to Pickering in the Durham Region. The average price of $660,778 represents a solid 30.9% savings compared to the GTA average of $956,789. Fun fact: Pickering will celebrate its 25th anniversary as a city in 2025.

Where to find more affordable semi-detached homes based on average prices:

  • Oshawa: $660,778
  • Essa: $675,000
  • New Tecumseth: $764,251

Townhouses Under 700K in the GTA

For townhouse buyers, Essa continues to deliver value. With an average price of $631,950, buyers save 29% compared to the GTA’s townhouse average of $889,199.

Where to find more affordable townhouses based on average prices:

  • Orangeville: $717,000
  • New Tecumseth: $727,500
  • Oshawa: $802,000

Most Affordable Condos in the GTA

Looking for the most budget-friendly option? Orangeville in Dufferin County offers condo apartments at an average price of just $388,000, representing a significant 39.1% savings compared to the GTA average of $637,390.

Where to find more affordable condo apartments based on average prices:

  • Oshawa: $424,181
  • Clarington: $512,600
  • New Tecumseth: $567,000

Bonus: Where to Buy Cheap Condos in Toronto 

If living in the 416 is more your style, there are still neighbourhoods where you can find a deal on a condo-apartment.  With the average price of a condo apartment in Toronto at $713,364, neighborhoods still offer more affordable options. 

West Hill and Centennial Scarborough stand out with an average price of $426,167—a full 40% lower than the citywide average. Similarly, Dorset Park and Kennedy Park in addition to Black Creek and York University Heights, provide notable savings, with prices at $506,200 and $508,478, respectively—29% below the 416 average. 

Whether you’re searching for a detached home, a semi, a townhouse, or a condo apartment, these GTA gems offer real opportunities to step into homeownership while keeping your budget in check. Your next move could be a smart and savings-packed one. If you’re ready to talk about your 2025 real estate goals, give us a call today!

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Angela Serednicki

Angela Serednicki

Angela Serednicki is a Public Relations and Content Specialist at Zoocasa. Having resided in different Toronto neighbourhoods for over a decade, she has gained an intimate understanding of and a passion for exploring the city’s changing real estate scene. In her journalism career, Angela has written for some of Canada’s best publications, including Maclean’s, Canadian Business, Money Sense, Reader’s Digest, and The Globe and Mail.

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