Transit and Commute
Richmond Hill’s condo corridor along Yonge Street benefits from VIVA rapidway service and closer proximity to Highway 407. Markham’s condo developments — particularly around Unionville and the Highway 7/404 corridor — connect well to GO Transit’s Stouffville and Richmond Hill lines, plus quick access to Highway 407 heading east-west. If your commute runs toward downtown Toronto via GO rail, Markham often has a slight edge; if it’s more local York Region travel, Richmond Hill’s central position works well.
Lifestyle and Amenities
Markham, often branded “Canada’s High-Tech Capital,” has a large concentration of corporate offices, which supports a strong daytime population and retail base around Unionville and the Markham City Centre area. Richmond Hill leans more residential-first, with Hillcrest Mall, the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, and Lake Wilcox and Mill Pond parks giving it a quieter, more established feel.
Price Point Considerations
Condo pricing in both cities tracks closely with the broader York Region (905) market, which posted an average price of $563,874 for condo apartments in June 2026 per TRREB’s Market Watch report — notably below the 416 (Toronto) condo average of $665,760. Specific buildings and neighbourhoods will vary, but buyers priced out of Toronto condos often find meaningfully more space for the same budget in both Richmond Hill and Markham.
The Honest Answer
Neither city is objectively “better” — it comes down to your commute, your daily routine, and which downtown core (Unionville’s heritage main street vs. Richmond Hill’s Yonge corridor) you’d rather have as your backyard. Touring both markets side by side, with a comparable price point in mind, is the fastest way to know which one fits.
Thinking about your next move in Richmond Hill, Markham, or York Region? Contact Ray Azar for a confidential, no-obligation consultation and a current market analysis tailored to your property.