Scarborough has more postwar bungalows than almost anywhere else in Toronto, and it is where a detached one-storey house is still within reach for many buyers. In September 2026, TRREB’s detached benchmark ranged from $861,700 in district E04 to $1,081,100 in E05, compared with $1,417,600 for the City of Toronto as a whole. Every Scarborough district fell over the year, by between 4.66% and 9.92%.
Key takeaways
- Scarborough’s detached benchmarks run about 24% to 39% below the city-wide detached figure.
- The lowest benchmarks were in E04 ($861,700) and E09 ($877,800); the highest in E05 ($1,081,100).
- The largest declines were in E04 (down 9.92%) and E08 (down 9.89%).
- Scarborough buyers pay both Ontario and Toronto land transfer tax: $28,950 on a $900,000 home.
- Wide postwar lots suit basement suites, garden suites and multiplex conversions.
Why Scarborough is Toronto’s bungalow belt
Much of Scarborough was built out in the postwar decades, when the one-storey house on a generous lot was the standard family home. The result is street after street of brick bungalows, raised bungalows and side-splits, many still on the generous lots they were built on. For buyers who want a detached home on one level without leaving the city, it is the obvious place to start.
Those same lots attract builders and investors. Some bungalows are replaced by larger homes, and more are being converted into two- and three-unit homes. Our article on teardowns and infill explains how that is reshaping older neighbourhoods.
Scarborough detached prices by TRREB district
TRREB splits Scarborough into eight districts, E04 to E11. These are September 2026 benchmarks from the TRREB MLS HPI tables. Benchmarks cover all detached homes, not bungalows only, but they are the best like-for-like comparison across districts.
| District | Main communities | Detached benchmark | Year over year |
|---|---|---|---|
| E04 | Wexford-Maryvale, Dorset Park, Clairlea-Birchmount, Ionview, Kennedy Park | $861,700 | -9.92% |
| E05 | L’Amoreaux, Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan, Steeles | $1,081,100 | -4.66% |
| E06 | Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Oakridge | $991,800 | -8.37% |
| E07 | Agincourt, Milliken | $1,038,900 | -5.52% |
| E08 | Cliffcrest, Guildwood, Scarborough Village, Eglinton East | $986,800 | -9.89% |
| E09 | Bendale, Woburn, Morningside | $877,800 | -7.90% |
| E10 | Highland Creek, West Hill, Centennial Scarborough, Rouge | $1,010,000 | -6.98% |
| E11 | Malvern, Rouge | $927,300 | -7.22% |
For context, the City of Toronto detached benchmark was $1,417,600, down 4.48%. District boundaries follow TRREB’s community map, so check which district a particular street falls in before comparing.
Where to look for a bungalow in Scarborough
Best value: E04 and E09
Wexford-Maryvale, Dorset Park, Bendale and Woburn have many 1950s and 1960s bungalows and the lowest benchmarks in Scarborough. They are close to the Scarborough Town Centre area and Highway 401. E04’s 9.92% decline also makes it the district with the most room for negotiation right now.
Near the Bluffs: E06 and E08
Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Cliffcrest, Guildwood and Scarborough Village run along the Scarborough Bluffs, with access to parks such as Guild Park and the waterfront. Bungalows on quiet crescents here appeal to downsizers who want space and nature without a long drive. Benchmarks are just under $1 million.
North Scarborough: E05 and E07
L’Amoreaux, Tam O’Shanter and Agincourt hold Scarborough’s highest benchmarks, around $1.04 to $1.08 million, and their declines were among the smallest. Expect more competition for well-kept bungalows on larger lots.
East end: E10 and E11
Highland Creek and West Hill offer ravine and creek-side streets near the University of Toronto Scarborough and Rouge National Urban Park. Malvern, in E11, is generally newer and denser, with fewer original bungalows.
Tip: On a Scarborough bungalow, walk to the back of the lot before you look at the kitchen. Lot depth, rear access and the position of trees decide whether a garden suite or a separate basement entrance is realistic, and that potential can be worth more than any interior finish.
Suites, garden suites and multiplex potential
Toronto allows four-unit multiplexes city-wide, and since amendments adopted in June 2025, buildings of up to six units are permitted in the Toronto and East York district and in Ward 23, which is Scarborough North, according to the city’s multiplex housing page. Duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes do not need on-site parking, and multiplexes of up to four units are generally exempt from development charges.
For a bungalow owner, the common paths are a legal basement apartment, a garden suite on a deep lot, or a full conversion. Each has different costs and tax effects, which we cover in capital gains on a bungalow with a rented basement and in our garden suite guide.
Land transfer tax on a Scarborough bungalow
Scarborough is part of the City of Toronto, so buyers pay the Ontario land transfer tax and the Toronto municipal land transfer tax. On a $900,000 bungalow:
- Ontario land transfer tax: $14,475.
- Toronto municipal land transfer tax: $14,475.
- Total: $28,950, or $20,475 for an eligible first-time buyer after the $4,000 Ontario refund and $4,475 Toronto rebate.
On a $1,000,000 bungalow, the total is $32,950, or $24,475 for a first-time buyer. Rates are on the city’s MLTT page, and our land transfer tax and election article covers what could change.
What to check on a postwar Scarborough bungalow
A 60- or 70-year-old bungalow can be a very solid house, but the same items come up again and again on inspection:
- Electrical. Original panels and wiring, including aluminum branch wiring in some homes built from the mid-1960s, can affect insurance. Ask for any ESA certificates.
- Plumbing and sewer line. Older supply pipes and clay sewer laterals are worth a camera inspection, especially under mature trees.
- Basement moisture. Look for efflorescence, staining and a working sump or backwater valve. Our guide to basement flooding protection covers the city subsidy.
- Radon. Finished basements are common, and a long-term test is cheap. See our radon testing guide.
- Windows, roof and insulation. Budget for replacements if they are original.
Getting around
Scarborough’s transit has been in transition since Line 3, the Scarborough RT, closed in 2023 and was replaced by buses. The Line 2 subway extension is under construction. Highway 401 runs across the middle of Scarborough and the Lakeshore East GO line serves the south. If you commute, test the trip at rush hour before you buy. Our guide to living near Highway 401 may help.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a bungalow in Scarborough?
TRREB does not publish a bungalow-only price, but detached benchmarks in Scarborough ranged from $861,700 to $1,081,100 by district in September 2026. Bungalows often sell near or below those figures depending on lot size, condition and basement. Check recent sold bungalows on the specific street for the most accurate picture.
Are house prices falling in Scarborough?
Yes. Every Scarborough district’s detached benchmark fell over the year to September 2026, from 4.66% in E05 to 9.92% in E04. The City of Toronto’s detached benchmark fell 4.48% over the same period, so most of Scarborough declined faster than the city as a whole.
Can I build a multiplex on a Scarborough bungalow lot?
Up to four units are permitted city-wide in Toronto, and up to six in Ward 23 (Scarborough North), subject to zoning rules such as height and setbacks, plus the Building Code. Start with the city’s zoning map and a zoning review before buying a lot for conversion.
Start your Scarborough search
Browse every listing on our Scarborough bungalows page, or compare with the rest of the city in our Toronto bungalow market report.
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.
