If you’re a condo owner in Toronto dreaming of more space, you’re not alone, but the price to upgrade depends a lot on where you live. In some neighborhoods, the jump from a condo to a townhouse or semi-detached home is manageable. In others, it’s a financial mountain. Let’s break it down.
Where It’s Easiest to Move From Condo to Townhouse in Toronto
Looking to upgrade from a condo to a townhouse in Toronto? Some neighbourhoods make that leap more financially manageable than others, thanks to relatively small price gaps between the two property types.
Stonegate–Queensway offers the smoothest transition, with only a 13.1% price difference—making it the most accessible step up for condo owners. In contrast, Bedford Park, Nortown, Lawrence Park, and Forest Hill North has a townhouse price gap is just 15.4%. That means if you can handle the higher million-dollar condo entry point, moving up in these prestigious neighbourhoods may be more attainable than expected.
Finally, Regent Park, St. James Town, and Corktown present an ideal opportunity for those seeking value in the downtown core. With a 28.9% difference and lower average condo prices, this area offers a more affordable path to building equity and upsizing.
Smaller Gaps Don’t Always Mean Easier Moves
While these areas have the narrowest price gaps, affordability still depends on condo starting prices. For instance, in Forest Hill North, average condos cost over $1.1M, meaning you’ll need substantial equity to move up, even with a small percentage gap.
In comparison, St. James Town–Regent Park–Corktown offers lower entry points (around $741K for condos), making it easier for first-time buyers to grow equity and upgrade.
A smaller price gap can mean faster equity growth, but location matters. In high-end neighbourhoods, even a small gap may involve a major financial leap. If you’re planning to move from a condo to a townhouse, consider both the percentage difference and the absolute price, because where you start greatly affects how quickly you can move up.
Climbing Higher: The Condo to Semi-Detached Leap
If your sights are set on a semi-detached home, some Toronto neighborhoods still offer a chance. In Regent Park, St. James Town, Corktown, the average semi-detached home is only about 26% more expensive than a condo. Other relatively affordable neighborhoods include Willowdale West, Parkwood–Don Mills, and Forest Hill South, where the price gaps stay under 50%.
However, in most of the city, that jump is far steeper. In Rosedale–Moore Park, semi-detached homes cost nearly 2.5 times more than condos. East York and parts of Clanton Park aren’t far behind, showing gaps well above 175%. Even in areas seen as more affordable, like Rockcliffe–Smythe or West Hill, semi-detached homes are still more than twice the price of condos.
In short, ground-level housing is getting further out of reach across much of Toronto.
Understanding the Housing Types: Townhouse, Rowhouse, and Semi-Detached
In Toronto’s market, these property types often overlap. Townhouses and rowhouses typically refer to a row of three or more attached homes. A semi-detached home, meanwhile, is one of two homes joined by a single shared wall.
While semis usually offer a bit more space and privacy, many buyers view all three types as stepping stones between condo living and fully detached houses.
Moving to a Deatched vs a Semi-Detached
Let’s say you’re looking to move to a detached home in the High Park area. In High Park North–Junction–Runnymede, detached homes average about $1.6 million, while semis come in around $1.34 million—a 20% difference. While that’s still a notable jump, it’s more manageable compared to other parts of the city. On the more expensive side, in High Park–Swansea–Roncesvalles–Parkdale, detached homes average over $2.15 million, with semis around $1.38 million, making the gap much wider at 56%.
Meanwhile, if you own a semi-detached home in Islington–City Centre West–Eringate–Centennial–West Deane, moving up to a detached property comes with one of the biggest price jumps in Toronto. Detached homes in this area average just over $2 million, while semi-detached homes are priced around $910,000. That’s a 122% difference, making it one of the steepest upgrade gaps from a semi to a detached home in Toronto. The leap is substantial, and for many, it may feel out of reach without a major financial boost.
Willowdale West–Lansing–Westgate tells a similar story. Semis average just under $970,000, but detached homes skyrocket to more than $2 million, translating to a 110% jump. For homeowners hoping to move up within the same neighbourhood, the cost of upgrading can be a significant barrier.
The True Cost of Moving Up in 2025
Across Toronto, upgrading comes at a cost. The average condo is priced at $684,257. Moving to a townhouse adds about $236,000. Going from a condo to a detached means adding nearly $889,000, more than double your investment.
Even if you sell your condo, the next step is far from guaranteed. Let’s say two condo owners decide to move in together. If each sells a mortgage-free condo at the average price, they’d have about $1.37 million in combined equity. That would easily cover a townhouse and leave a large surplus. A semi-detached would also be within reach, and even a detached home might be possible with a relatively small mortgage.
But this scenario assumes a best-case outcome—both condos selling quickly and at full value.
The Condo Market Reality: High Inventory, Low Sales
According to the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board’s Condominium Market Report for Q2 2025, the market is softening. Sales dropped nearly 21% year-over-year, while listings jumped by over 39%. The average condo price has dipped to $685,961—a 5.9% drop from last year—and the average time to sell has increased to 34 days.
In other words, even if your condo has strong equity on paper, actually cashing it out may prove challenging. With more listings and fewer buyers, sellers have less leverage—and that makes moving up more difficult.
Don’t Forget the Extra Costs
It’s not just about list prices. Buyers must also budget for closing costs, legal fees, and taxes. For example, the land transfer tax alone on a $1.37 million detached home would cost around $47,691. These extras can seriously eat into any equity you’ve built and quickly shrink your move-up budget.
Moving Up is Possible (but Not Easy)
Toronto’s real estate market continues to shift, and the dream of climbing the housing ladder is getting harder to achieve. Whether you’re looking to move from a condo to a townhouse, from a semi to a detached home, or trying to combine resources with a partner, knowing where the price gaps are smallest can help you plan strategically.
But even in neighborhoods where the numbers look good, real-life selling conditions, taxes, and extra fees make this a complex move. For many buyers, moving up isn’t impossible—but it takes planning, timing, and a solid understanding of the market.
In some neighborhoods, the price gaps are narrowing. In others, pooling resources with a partner or leveraging built-up equity could make the next step possible sooner than expected. And with more listings and motivated sellers, buyers who are prepared may find unique opportunities in 2025 that weren’t available just a year ago. Toronto is a city of so many different neighbourhoods and communities, and with the right strategy, your next home might be closer than you think.
Thinking of climbing the property ladder? The right real estate agent will help you navigate your move with confidence. Start your search today.
