In September 2026, the detached benchmark price was $1,061,300 in Pickering (down 4.58% from a year earlier) and $929,400 in Ajax (down 3.72%), according to TRREB. Both markets are balanced, with about four months of inventory. For bungalow buyers, that means more choice and room to negotiate, while well-priced bungalows in Ajax still sell close to asking.
Key takeaways
- Pickering: 50 detached sales, median $1,035,000, 98% of list, 31 days on market.
- Ajax: 51 detached sales, median $835,000, 99% of list, 22 days on market.
- Benchmarks are down roughly $51,000 (Pickering) and $36,000 (Ajax) from a year earlier.
- Neither city has a municipal land transfer tax, which saves thousands compared with Toronto.
- TRREB reports detached homes as a group; bungalows are a subset, so check sold bungalows on your street.
A note on the data
TRREB publishes monthly numbers by municipality for detached homes as a whole, not for bungalows separately. Bungalows in Pickering and Ajax range from 1950s and 1960s homes on wide lots to newer one-storey builds, so their prices can sit above or below the detached figures depending on lot size, condition and basement. Use the numbers below to read the direction of the market, then use recent bungalow sales to price a specific house.
All figures come from TRREB’s September 2026 Market Watch and its MLS Home Price Index tables, released October 6, 2026.
Pickering and Ajax detached prices in September 2026
| Measure (detached) | Pickering | Ajax | Durham Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales | 50 | 51 | 367 |
| Average price | $1,080,698 | $919,504 | $926,218 |
| Median price | $1,035,000 | $835,000 | $860,000 |
| Benchmark (MLS HPI) | $1,061,300 | $929,400 | $883,700 |
| Benchmark change, year over year | -4.58% | -3.72% | -5.11% |
| New listings | 141 | 156 | 1,258 |
| Active listings | 217 | 207 | 1,775 |
| Sale price to list price | 98% | 99% | 98% |
| Average days on market | 31 | 22 | 29 |
For context, the detached benchmark across all TRREB areas was $1,196,400, down 4.76%. Pickering’s benchmark is about 11% below that and Ajax’s about 22% below, which is a large part of why move-up buyers and downsizers from Toronto look east.
Is it a buyer’s market in Pickering and Ajax?
Not quite. We calculated months of inventory (active listings divided by monthly sales) at 4.3 in Pickering and 4.1 in Ajax, against 4.8 for Durham as a whole. Sales-to-new-listings ratios were 35.5% in Pickering and 32.7% in Ajax. Those readings sit in balanced territory: buyers have choice, but sellers are not being forced into deep discounts.
The speed numbers point the same way. Ajax detached homes sold at 99% of list in an average of 22 days, faster than the GTA-wide average of 34 days. Pickering took 31 days at 98% of list. A gap between average and median also tells you something: in Ajax the average was about $84,500 above the median, which suggests a handful of higher-priced sales pulled the average up. Ajax buyers looking at typical bungalows should anchor on the median and the benchmark, not the average.
What it means for bungalow buyers
- Negotiating room is real but modest. At 98% of list, a bungalow listed at $1,035,000 would sell around $1,014,300 on average. Expect more room on homes that have been listed for weeks, and less on renovated bungalows near the GO stations.
- Conditions are back. In a balanced market, financing and inspection conditions are normal again. Use them, especially on older bungalows where wiring, roofs and basements need a closer look.
- Lock your financing. Fixed rates rose this fall. A mortgage rate hold protects your budget while you search.
Land transfer tax: an advantage over Toronto
Pickering and Ajax buyers pay only the Ontario land transfer tax. On Pickering’s median detached price of $1,035,000, that is $17,175, or $13,175 for an eligible first-time buyer after the $4,000 refund. On Ajax’s median of $835,000, it is $13,175, or $9,175 for a first-time buyer. A Toronto buyer at the same price would roughly double those amounts with the municipal tax. Our Ontario land transfer tax guide has more examples.
Tip: Many Pickering and Ajax bungalows sit on lots that are wider than nearby two-storey homes, which can mean room for a garden suite or a separate basement entrance. Before you offer, ask the town about zoning for additional units and check where the sewer and water lines run. That one call can add real value to the right lot.
What it means for bungalow sellers
Buyers have choices, so price matters more than it did in 2022. With Durham’s detached benchmark down 5.11% year over year, last year’s comparable sales overstate today’s value. Price against sales from the past 60 to 90 days, and against the active bungalows a buyer will see the same weekend.
- Review recent bungalow sales near you on our sold listings page.
- Fix the items an inspector will flag on an older bungalow: roof, electrical panel, grading and any basement moisture.
- Price within the range those comparables support, not above it, so you are not chasing the market down.
- Market the features one-storey buyers want: main-floor laundry, few or no stairs, garage access and a private yard.
If your bungalow is not getting showings, our guide to why bungalows are not selling this fall lists fixes that work in a balanced market.
Pickering vs Ajax for bungalow buyers
Both cities sit on the Lakeshore East GO line and Highway 401, with Highway 407 to the north. The median price gap was $200,000 in September, so Ajax generally offers more house for the money. Browse current listings on our Pickering bungalows page and Ajax bungalows page to compare what each budget buys today.
What to watch over the next few months
Three things will shape bungalow prices in Pickering and Ajax into the new year:
- The Bank of Canada. Decisions on October 28 and December 9 will move variable rates directly and influence how much buyers can borrow. A hike would cool demand further; a hold would keep conditions steady.
- Fixed-rate pricing. Bond yields drove the fall increases in fixed rates. If they ease, buyers who stepped back in September may return.
- Inventory. New detached listings were 141 in Pickering and 156 in Ajax in September. Fall listings usually thin out in November and December, which can firm up prices for the bungalows that remain.
TRREB’s October data is due in early November. We will update these numbers, but the direction for now is a balanced market with gently falling prices. For a wider view, see our September 2026 GTA market breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
Are house prices falling in Pickering?
Yes, modestly. TRREB’s detached benchmark for Pickering was $1,061,300 in September 2026, down 4.58% from a year earlier, roughly $51,000. Homes still sold at 98% of list on average, so the market is soft rather than collapsing. Prices on individual bungalows vary widely with lot size and condition, so check recent sales nearby.
What is the average price of a detached house in Ajax?
TRREB reported an average detached price of $919,504 in Ajax for September 2026, with a median of $835,000 and an MLS HPI benchmark of $929,400. The benchmark, which adjusts for the type of homes that sold, is usually the most reliable gauge of a typical house. It was down 3.72% year over year.
Do you pay Toronto land transfer tax in Pickering or Ajax?
No. The municipal land transfer tax applies only to homes in the City of Toronto. Buyers in Pickering and Ajax pay the Ontario land transfer tax only. On an $835,000 purchase that is $13,175, and eligible first-time buyers can claim a refund of up to $4,000 on top of that.
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This article is general information as of October 2026, not legal, tax, mortgage or financial advice. Rules and numbers change, so confirm the details for your situation with a licensed professional.
