Is Scarborough a good place to live?
Yes. Scarborough is one of the best places in Toronto to buy a detached house for the money. It has the Bluffs and Rouge National Urban Park, family neighbourhoods, major hospitals and U of T Scarborough, and some of the GTA’s best food. Detached benchmarks ranged from about $862,000 to $1.08 million by district in September 2026.
- Best for: families wanting a detached home inside Toronto, first-time buyers, multigenerational households and nature lovers.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): composite benchmarks from $653,600 to $901,200 by district (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 35–50 minutes on Line 2 or the Lakeshore East GO line from Guildwood or Eglinton GO.
- Neighbourhoods to know: Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Guildwood, Cliffcrest, Agincourt, Highland Creek, Wexford, L’Amoreaux and Malvern.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About Scarborough, Toronto
Scarborough was a separate city until 1998. Its lakeshore is lined by the dramatic Scarborough Bluffs, with Bluffer’s Park and beaches below, while its eastern edge borders Rouge National Urban Park, Canada’s largest urban park.
Most of Scarborough was built from the 1950s to the 1990s, with bungalows, side-splits and family subdivisions, which is why it has some of Toronto’s most affordable detached homes.
Scarborough is very diverse and known for its food, from Chinese malls in Agincourt to Tamil, Caribbean and Filipino restaurants across the area. The Scarborough Subway Extension of Line 2 is under construction to Sheppard and McCowan.
| Fact | Scarborough |
|---|---|
| TRREB districts | E04 to E11 |
| Region | City of Toronto |
| E06 composite benchmark (Sept 2026) | $901,200 |
| E11 composite benchmark (Sept 2026) | $653,600 |
| Detached benchmark range (Sept 2026) | $861,700 – $1,081,100 |
| Transit | Line 2, Lakeshore East and Stouffville GO, Line 5 |
| Parks | Scarborough Bluffs, Rouge National Urban Park |
| Hospitals | Scarborough Health Network (3 sites) |
📍 Scarborough, City of Toronto, Ontario
Scarborough Neighbourhood Guide
Birchcliffe-Cliffside
Birchcliffe-Cliffside, near the Beaches, has homes close to the Bluffs and Bluffer’s Park, Kingston Road shops and quick access to downtown.
- Bluffer’s Park and beaches
- Kingston Road shops
- Close to the Beaches
- New custom infill homes
Guildwood / Cliffcrest
Guildwood and Cliffcrest sit atop the Bluffs, with large lots, the Guild Park and Gardens and Guildwood GO on the Lakeshore East line.
- Guild Park and Gardens
- Guildwood GO station
- Bluffs trails
- Large lots and quiet streets
Agincourt / Milliken
North Scarborough neighbourhoods known for Chinese malls and restaurants, good schools such as Agincourt Collegiate, and Agincourt GO on the Stouffville line.
- Agincourt GO station
- Pacific Mall nearby
- Popular schools
- Highway 401 access
Highland Creek / West Hill / Rouge
East Scarborough near the University of Toronto Scarborough, Rouge National Urban Park and the Highland Creek ravines.
- U of T Scarborough
- Rouge National Urban Park
- Highland Creek trails
- Close to Pickering
Wexford / Dorset Park / Clairlea
West Scarborough neighbourhoods with 1950s–60s bungalows, Lawrence Avenue shops and access to Line 2 and Line 5 at Kennedy.
- Kennedy station (Lines 2 & 5)
- Bungalows on good lots
- Lawrence Avenue shops
- More affordable homes
Malvern / Woburn / Bendale
Central and northeast Scarborough, near Scarborough Town Centre and the future Line 2 extension, with some of Toronto’s most affordable freehold homes.
- Scarborough Town Centre
- Future Line 2 extension stations
- Centennial College
- Affordable freehold homes
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birchcliffe-Cliffside | lake and Bluffs living | Detached, bungalows, new infill | Mid to upper |
| Guildwood / Cliffcrest | quiet streets near the lake | Detached on large lots | Mid to upper |
| Agincourt / Milliken | families and foodies | Detached, semis, towns, condos | Mid |
| Highland Creek / West Hill / Rouge | nature and campus access | Detached, semis | Mid |
| Wexford / Dorset Park / Clairlea | value close to transit | Bungalows, detached, semis | Entry to mid |
| Malvern / Woburn / Bendale | first-time buyers | Detached, semis, towns, condos | Entry to mid |
Scarborough Demographics
Who lives in Scarborough?
Scarborough is home to large Chinese, Tamil, Filipino, Caribbean and South Asian communities. It attracts families wanting detached homes inside Toronto, first-time buyers and multigenerational households.
Growth and housing demand
The Line 2 Scarborough Subway Extension and the planned Eglinton East LRT will improve transit, and new condos are going up around Scarborough Town Centre. Prices were down about 5–10% year over year in September 2026 depending on the district.
Schools in Scarborough
Public and Catholic schools
Agincourt Collegiate Institute
Public secondary · AgincourtConfirm catchment with TDSBDr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute
Public secondary · north ScarboroughConfirm catchment with TDSBR.H. King Academy
Public secondary · CliffcrestConfirm catchment with TDSBSir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute
Public secondary · WexfordConfirm catchment with TDSBMary Ward Catholic Secondary School
Catholic secondary · north ScarboroughConfirm catchment with TCDSBCardinal Newman Catholic High School
Catholic secondary · CliffsideConfirm catchment with TCDSB| Board | System |
|---|---|
| Toronto District School Board (TDSB) | English public |
| Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) | English Catholic |
| Conseil scolaire Viamonde | French public |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | French Catholic |
Colleges and universities nearby
University of Toronto Scarborough and Centennial College are in Scarborough.
Transit and Getting Around Scarborough
Line 2 & extension
Line 2 ends at Kennedy today. The Scarborough Subway Extension to Scarborough Town Centre and Sheppard-McCowan is under construction.
GO trains
Lakeshore East stops at Danforth, Scarborough, Eglinton, Guildwood and Rouge Hill; the Stouffville line stops at Kennedy, Agincourt and Milliken.
Line 5 Eglinton
Line 5 runs from Kennedy west through Midtown to Mount Dennis.
Highways
Highway 401 crosses north Scarborough, with the DVP and 404 to the west.
Approximate commute times from Scarborough
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station (GO) | 25–35 min | Lakeshore East from Guildwood |
| Union Station (subway) | 40–50 min | Line 2 + Line 1 from Kennedy |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 30–50 min | DVP / Gardiner |
| Markham | 15–25 min | Highway 401 / 404 |
| Pickering | 15–20 min | Highway 401 |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in Scarborough
Parks & Nature
- Scarborough Bluffs and Bluffer’s Park
- Rouge National Urban Park
- Guild Park and Gardens
- Highland Creek trails
- Thomson Memorial Park
Shopping & Food
- Scarborough Town Centre
- Pacific Mall nearby
- Agincourt Chinese malls
- Kennedy Road restaurants
- Markham Road Tamil and Caribbean food
Recreation
- Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre
- Toronto Zoo
- Scarborough Golf Club
- Bluffs beaches
- Ravine trails
Culture
- Scarborough Civic Centre
- Scarborough Museum
- Toronto Zoo
- Food festivals
- U of T Scarborough events
Scarborough Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $901,200 |
| Detached | $991,800 |
| Semi-detached | $822,000 |
| Townhouse | $655,900 |
| Condo apartment | $540,600 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -7.11% |
Source: TRREB MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026. Headline figures are for district E06 (Birchcliffe-Cliffside); see the table for all Scarborough districts. Benchmark prices describe a typical home, not an average sale price. Ask us for current sold data on any street.
| TRREB district | Areas | All homes | Detached | Condo apt | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E04 | Dorset Park, Wexford, Kennedy Park, Clairlea, Ionview | $706,800 | $861,700 | $419,200 | -8.81% |
| E05 | L’Amoreaux, Steeles, Tam O’Shanter | $761,300 | $1,081,100 | $461,500 | -5.16% |
| E06 | Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Oakridge | $901,200 | $991,800 | $540,600 | -7.11% |
| E07 | Agincourt, Milliken | $715,200 | $1,038,900 | $453,800 | -6.58% |
| E08 | Cliffcrest, Guildwood, Scarborough Village | $782,900 | $986,800 | $453,000 | -8.10% |
| E09 | Bendale, Woburn, Morningside | $697,500 | $877,800 | $434,500 | -7.70% |
| E10 | Highland Creek, West Hill, Rouge, Centennial | $883,600 | $1,010,000 | $369,000 | -5.16% |
| E11 | Malvern, Rouge (north) | $653,600 | $927,300 | $372,000 | -9.54% |
Homes near the Bluffs in Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Guildwood and Cliffcrest command the highest prices. Malvern, Woburn and Wexford offer the most affordable freehold homes in Toronto.
Bungalows on large lots are popular with buyers planning additions or garden suites, so check City of Toronto zoning before you buy.
Pros and cons of living in Scarborough
Pros
- Most affordable detached homes in Toronto
- Scarborough Bluffs and Rouge Park
- Excellent, diverse food
- GO trains and subway access
- U of T Scarborough and Centennial College
Cons
- Longer commute to downtown
- Subway extension still under construction
- Car-dependent in some areas
- Varies a lot street to street
Buying or selling in Scarborough? Here’s what our clients say
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“It is a pleasure working with Damali and Desemal of Thomas Team. They are very professional and tenacious in the services they provide for their clients. Another satisfied client, highly recommend for your real estate needs!”
“As a first time homebuyer, I was so pleased with the service that was provided to us by Desemal. She was very friendly and knowledgeable about the entire process. Des was very patient with us and was very understanding about our concerns as she guided us through everything. … It took a while but in the end we found our dream home at the right price.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Scarborough
Yes. Scarborough offers the most affordable detached homes in Toronto, the Bluffs and Rouge National Urban Park, great food and GO and subway access. Commutes are longer than in central Toronto.
TRREB reports Toronto prices by district. In September 2026, MLS® HPI composite benchmarks were $706,800 in E04, $761,300 in E05, $901,200 in E06, $715,200 in E07, $782,900 in E08, $697,500 in E09, $883,600 in E10, $653,600 in E11. Condo apartment benchmarks ranged from $369,000 to $540,600 (TRREB).
Guildwood, Cliffcrest and Birchcliffe-Cliffside for the Bluffs, Agincourt for families and food, Highland Creek for nature and campus access, and Wexford and Malvern for value.
The Line 2 extension to Scarborough Town Centre and Sheppard-McCowan is under construction. Check the TTC and Metrolinx for the latest opening date.
The fastest option is often the Lakeshore East GO line from Guildwood or Eglinton GO, about 25 to 35 minutes to Union. Line 2 from Kennedy takes about 40 to 50 minutes.
Yes. Scarborough was a separate city until 1998, when it became part of the City of Toronto.
Scarborough is TRREB districts E04 through E11.
Yes, for detached homes. In September 2026 Scarborough’s detached benchmarks ranged from $861,700 to $1,081,100, compared with $1,417,600 for the City of Toronto.
Last updated October 2026. Written by Damali Thomas and Desemal Thomas, Realtors, and Jermaine Whyte, Mortgage Agent Level 2, at the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage. Data: Statistics Canada 2021 Census; TRREB MLS® HPI; Metrolinx; local school boards.
