Quick Answer
What is it like to buy a home in Richmond Hill?
Why Richmond Hill
Living in Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill is where families come to stay. It's not a stepping-stone city — people buy here, raise their kids, and decades later still love the neighbourhood. The appeal is straightforward: excellent schools, safe streets with mature trees, and a Yonge Street corridor that connects you to everything from Hillcrest Mall down to the Toronto subway. On weekends, you'll see families walking the trails around Lake Wilcox Park, kids in hockey gear heading to the Richmond Green Sports Centre, or crowds browsing the Richmond Hill farmers' market.
The neighbourhood map matters here more than most cities. Bayview Hill, between Bayview and Leslie north of Elgin Mills, is one of York Region's premier luxury pockets — think $2M+ custom-built homes on generous lots backing onto ravines. South Richvale near the Yonge and Major Mackenzie intersection is the walkable urban option, with condos and townhomes near shops and restaurants. Observatory and Mill Pond are family-friendly mid-range areas with excellent access to Richmond Hill High School and the trail system. For buyers seeking newer stock, the Jefferson and Elgin Mills corridor east of Leslie has seen significant development in the last decade.
Richmond Hill real estate prices sit between Markham and Vaughan — the average detached home runs $1.6-1.8M, with townhomes starting around $850K near the Yonge corridor. Compared to North Toronto, you're getting 30-40% more house for the same money, and the school rankings are comparable or better. Buyers here tend to be established professionals with school-age children, often upgrading from a Toronto condo or Scarborough semi.
The Yonge North Subway Extension is the game-changer for Richmond Hill real estate. When the Richmond Hill Centre station opens, property values along the Yonge corridor from Major Mackenzie to Highway 7 are expected to see meaningful appreciation. Smart buyers are positioning now, before shovels go in the ground.
Consistently ranked among Canada's best places to raise a family
Richmond Hill Centre — future subway station on Yonge North extension
Lake Wilcox Park, Mill Pond, and the Oak Ridges Moraine trails
Bayview Hill, South Richvale, and Observatory estates
Population
202,000+
Avg. Household Income
$98,000
Transit
Richmond Hill GO, Viva Blue/Purple, future Yonge North subway
Notable Schools
Richmond Hill HS, Bayview SS, Alexander Mackenzie HS, Richmond Green SS
Known For
Family neighbourhoods · Yonge Street corridor · Nature trails · Luxury estates
The Full Picture
Everything You Need to Know About Richmond Hill
Schools, commute times, property taxes and what's being built — real, sourced data to help you decide, not marketing fluff.
Schools
Richmond Hill School Ratings
| School | Board | Area | Fraser rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic High School | Catholic | — | 10.0/10 |
| Bayview Secondary School | Public | Bayview / Crosby area — IB programme | 9.2/10 |
| Alexander Mackenzie High School | Public | Arts & IB programme | 8.5/10 |
| Richmond Green Secondary School | Public | Elgin Mills / Leslie area | 8.3/10 |
| Richmond Hill High School | Public | Mill Pond / central | 8.3/10 |
| City-wide public secondary average | 7.5/10 | ||
Fraser Institute 2025 Report Card (based on 2023–24 EQAO results). Bayview Secondary’s International Baccalaureate stream is one of the most sought-after in York Region. Catchments are set by the York Region District School Board and change periodically — verify the boundary for a specific address at yrdsb.ca.
Commute
Getting Downtown
- GO station
- Richmond Hill GO (also Gormley GO to the north)
- Rail line
- Richmond Hill line
- To Union Station
- ~55 min
- Highways
- Highway 404 runs along the eastern edge with quick access; Highway 407 is a short drive south for east-west travel.
Rail times are approximate — check GO Transit schedules for current departures.
Property Tax
What You'll Pay
A home assessed at $1,000,000 pays roughly $6,591/year in property tax.
Calculated on MPAC assessed value (2016 base year — the province-wide reassessment is postponed), not current market price, so the tax on a home selling at $1M today is typically lower. Source: City of Richmond Hill 2025 residential rate (~0.659%), cross-referenced with wowa.ca.
What's Being Built
Richmond Hill Development Pipeline
Yonge North Subway Extension
TTC Line 1 extension bringing the subway up Yonge toward Richmond Hill Centre — the single biggest long-term value driver for the Yonge corridor.
Richmond Hill Centre
Planned transit-oriented downtown at Yonge & Highway 7 — high-density mixed-use anchored by the future subway terminus and Viva rapidway.
Yonge Street & Bernard corridor intensification
Mid-rise redevelopment along Yonge adding walkable condo and townhome stock near shops and transit.
Walkability
Getting Around
Walkability is strongest along the Yonge Street corridor and in South Richvale; the newer estate pockets (Bayview Hill, Jefferson) are more car-oriented by design.
The Richmond Hill neighbourhood map
Bayview Hill, between Bayview and Leslie north of Elgin Mills, is one of York Region’s premier luxury pockets — custom-built homes on generous lots, many backing onto ravines, feeding into top-rated Bayview Secondary.
South Richvale near Yonge and Major Mackenzie is the walkable urban option, with condos and townhomes steps from shops and restaurants. Observatory and Mill Pond are family-friendly mid-range areas with excellent access to Richmond Hill High School and the trail system.
For newer stock, the Jefferson and Elgin Mills corridor east of Leslie has seen significant detached and townhome development over the past decade — a common landing spot for move-up families coming from a Toronto condo or Scarborough semi.
Active Listings
Homes for Sale in Richmond Hill
Compare
Richmond Hill vs Nearby York Region Cities
| Richmond Hill | Markham | Vaughan | Newmarket | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,000+ | 338,000+ | 323,000+ | 87,000+ |
| Avg. household income | $98,000 | $105,000 | $110,000 | $92,000 |
| Known for | Family neighbourhoods, Yonge Street corridor | Tech industry, Cultural diversity | VMC urban core, Kleinburg luxury | Historic downtown, Fairy Lake |
| Transit | Richmond Hill GO, Viva Blue/Purple, future Yonge North subway | Markham GO (Stouffville line), Viva rapidway, future Yonge North subway extension | Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (TTC Line 1), Highway 407 station, Rutherford GO | Newmarket GO (Barrie line), Viva Green/Orange |
| Notable schools | Richmond Hill HS, Bayview SS, Alexander Mackenzie HS, Richmond Green SS | Bur Oak Secondary, Pierre Elliott Trudeau HS, Markham District HS, Markville SS | Vaughan SS, Woodbridge College, Emily Carr SS, Maple HS | Newmarket HS, Huron Heights SS, Sacred Heart CHS |
Profile figures are estimates. Live prices, listing counts and days-on-market are shown per city on each neighbourhood page (MLS® data updated every 15 minutes).
FAQ
Richmond Hill Real Estate — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a home cost in Richmond Hill?
The average price of a home for sale in Richmond Hill, Ontario is currently about $858K, based on live TRREB MLS® data. Prices vary by property type and pocket — condos and townhomes sit below the average, while detached homes run above it.
Is Richmond Hill a good place to live?
Richmond Hill is a well-regarded York Region community of roughly 202,000+ residents, known for family neighbourhoods, yonge street corridor, nature trails. The average household income is around $98,000. It suits families and professionals who want space and strong amenities within commuting distance of Toronto.
What are the best schools in Richmond Hill?
Notable schools serving Richmond Hill include Richmond Hill HS, Bayview SS, Alexander Mackenzie HS, Richmond Green SS. Catchment matters for resale value, so confirm the boundary for any specific address before you buy — I can help you check the zone for a home you're considering.
How is the commute from Richmond Hill to Toronto?
Richmond Hill is served by Richmond Hill GO, Viva Blue/Purple, future Yonge North subway. GO Transit is the fastest car-free option into downtown Toronto for most York Region commuters, and the surrounding 400-series highways handle drivers to the city and across the region.
How many homes are for sale in Richmond Hill right now?
There are currently 3,106 active listings in Richmond Hill on the MLS®, updated every 15 minutes. Browse them directly on this page, filtered by price, property type, and beds.
Is Richmond Hill a good place for first-time buyers?
First-time buyers in Richmond Hill typically start with condos, stacked towns, or townhomes, which price below detached homes. Ontario first-time buyers may also qualify for a Land Transfer Tax rebate. Use the affordability and land-transfer-tax calculators on this site to see what you can carry before you shop.
Who is the best real estate agent in Richmond Hill?
Abram Girgis, REALTOR® & Private Advisor with Century 21 — Leading Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage, helps buyers and sellers across York Region including Richmond Hill. You get live MLS® data, sold-price insight, and hands-on local guidance on pricing, schools, and the right pocket for your budget. Reach out through the contact page to get started.
Local Expertise
Thinking About Richmond Hill?
I know Richmond Hillinside and out — the streets, the schools, the hidden gems. Whether you're buying or selling, let's talk strategy.
Abram Girgis, REALTOR® & Private Advisor · (289) 536-9449
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The listing data is provided under copyright by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB). The listing data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by TRREB. The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos are owned by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify the quality of services provided by real estate professionals who are members of CREA.