Moving to Kitchener-Waterloo from Toronto
So you're thinking about leaving Toronto for Kitchener-Waterloo. Many of the buyers I work with are making the same move: families and professionals who want more house for their money without giving up good jobs, schools and things to do.
I'm Kevin Amorim, a real estate salesperson with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage, in Kitchener, Ontario. I help buyers moving from Toronto and the GTA find the right home in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph.
This page covers what your budget buys here, where to live based on how you'll commute, what closing costs look like, and what to do first.
What your Toronto budget buys here
Now, here's the part that surprises most people: a detached home here costs roughly half of what it does in the City of Toronto.
| September 2026 | City of Toronto | Waterloo Region |
|---|---|---|
| Detached, average price | $1,562,966 | $812,433 |
| All home types, average price | $1,034,320 | $703,054 |
Sources: TRREB Market Watch, September 2026; Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®, September 2026 release (regional and city averages); ITSO MLS® Monthly Indicators, Waterloo Region, September 2026 (detached average).
Let's say you're selling a Toronto condo near the September average of $640,248. Here, that's the price of a townhouse or semi in Waterloo, and in some older Kitchener neighbourhoods, a detached home.
By city, the average sale price in September 2026 was $646,426 in Kitchener, $697,453 in Cambridge and $775,276 in Waterloo.
Where I'd look at each budget in Waterloo
| Budget | Waterloo neighbourhoods |
|---|---|
| $650K (towns and semis) | Beechwood, Westvale |
| $800K | Lakeshore North, Clair Hills |
| $1M | Eastbridge, Laurelwood |
| $1.2M+ | Westmount, Colonial Acres |
For Kitchener, I walk through where I'd buy in The Best Neighbourhoods in Kitchener, Ontario.
Where to live, based on how you'll get to Toronto
Pick the neighbourhood around your commute first, then your budget. Here's how I'd split it:
- Taking the GO train: GO trains run weekdays between Kitchener and Union Station, and the fastest express trips take about 1 hour 35 minutes (Metrolinx). Downtown Kitchener and Mount Hope-Breithaupt Park put you close to Kitchener GO. All-day, two-way service is planned but has no firm date yet.
- Driving the 401: South Kitchener (Doon South, Pioneer Park) and Cambridge (Hespeler, Preston) sit right beside the 401, which can save you 15 to 20 minutes each way compared to north Waterloo.
- Hybrid, in Toronto one or two days a week: choose for daily life first. Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Kitchener are walkable and on the ION light rail. West Waterloo (Beechwood, Westvale, Clair Hills) is quieter and more suburban.
- Families: Clair Hills, Laurelwood and Eastbridge in Waterloo and Doon South in Kitchener are established family areas with parks and schools close by. Before you make an offer, check the school boundaries with the Waterloo Region District School Board and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, because they don't always follow neighbourhood lines.
Closing costs: one land transfer tax, not two
In Kitchener-Waterloo you pay Ontario's land transfer tax but no municipal land transfer tax, so on an $850,000 home you'd pay $13,475 less than in Toronto.
| On an $850,000 home | In Toronto | In Kitchener-Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario land transfer tax | $13,475 | $13,475 |
| Toronto municipal land transfer tax | $13,475 | $0 |
| Total | $26,950 | $13,475 |
| Total for a first-time buyer, after rebates | $18,475 | $9,475 |
First-time buyers get up to $4,000 back from Ontario, and Toronto adds a rebate of up to $4,475, so the gap for a first-time buyer is $9,000. Rates: City of Toronto, Ratehub (Ontario rates and rebates).
On top of that, budget for your lawyer, title insurance and adjustments like property tax the seller already paid. All in, I tell buyers to plan for roughly 1.5% to 3% of the price in closing costs.
What to do first
The biggest timing question is usually your Toronto home, not the one you buy here.
- Get pre-approved now. If you own in Toronto, ask your lender about bridge financing in case you buy before you sell.
- Decide whether to sell first or buy first. Selling first locks in your budget. Buying first locks in the home. I'll walk you through both.
- Shortlist two or three neighbourhoods by commute and budget. Watch the videos below, or book a call and we'll narrow it down together.
- See them in one day. For Toronto buyers I plan the showing route starting from the 401 side, so you're not zigzagging across the region.
- Make your offer. Once it's accepted, conditions like financing and inspection usually take one to two weeks, and closing is typically 30 to 90 days out.
Watch before you move
- Toronto vs Kitchener-Waterloo: Which City is Best to Live?
- Moving to Kitchener-Waterloo? What Nobody Tells You
- If You Are Relocating to Kitchener, Ontario, Watch This
- Moving to Waterloo, Ontario? Everything You Need to Know
- If You Are Relocating to Cambridge, Ontario, Watch This
FAQ
Is it cheaper to buy a home in Kitchener-Waterloo than in Toronto?
Yes. In September 2026, detached homes in Waterloo Region averaged $812,433, compared with $1,562,966 in the City of Toronto. That's roughly half.
How long is the commute from Kitchener to Toronto?
The fastest GO express trains take about 1 hour 35 minutes from Kitchener to Union Station. Driving to downtown Toronto takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours outside rush hour, and longer at peak times.
Is there a municipal land transfer tax in Kitchener or Waterloo?
No. You pay Ontario's land transfer tax only. On an $850,000 home that's $13,475, compared with $26,950 in Toronto, where the city charges its own tax on top.
Which Kitchener-Waterloo neighbourhoods are best for families moving from Toronto?
Clair Hills, Laurelwood and Eastbridge in Waterloo and Doon South in Kitchener are popular with families. If you'll drive to the GTA often, Doon South and Hespeler in Cambridge sit right beside the 401.
Should I sell my Toronto home before I buy in Kitchener-Waterloo?
If your down payment comes from your Toronto equity, sell first or line up bridge financing before you firm up a purchase. Get pre-approved first so you know your real numbers.
Who helps buyers move from Toronto to Kitchener-Waterloo?
Kevin Amorim, a real estate salesperson with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage, in Kitchener, works with buyers relocating from Toronto and the GTA to Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph. Call or text (519) 501-6098.
About Kevin and next step
Around 80% of my clients are buying their first home, and I also help families and professionals moving here from Toronto, the GTA and other countries. I'm conservative with numbers: if a house doesn't make sense for you, or waiting puts you in a better spot, I'll tell you.
Moving in the next 6 to 12 months? Book a free call and I'll tell you exactly where I'd start looking. I'd be more than happy to help, just let me know.
Kevin Amorim, Real Estate Salesperson · RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage · 720 Westmount Rd E, Kitchener, ON N2E 2M6 · (519) 501-6098 · [email protected]
Prices as of September 2026. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a brokerage.