Living Near Markham's Tech Employers: Where Employees Buy and What Commutes Look Like
Neeraj Moolchandani is a top real estate agent in Markham, Ontario. Published November 12, 2026 · By Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTOR®, Cofounder of the Kaizen Real Estate Team, eXp Realty, Brokerage
The short answer
Markham is home to more than 1,000 technology and life sciences companies employing about 37,000 people, plus more than 400 Canadian head offices, according to the City of Markham. Many of these jobs sit near Highways 404 and 407 and in Markham Centre. Employees often look at Buttonville, Unionville, Cachet, Angus Glen, Cathedraltown and Markham Centre condos for short drives. One caution: the First Studio City film studio announced in 2018 has not been built as planned, so do not buy based on studio jobs.
When a big employer anchors a city, homes nearby stay in demand. Markham has many such employers. Our Kaizen Real Estate Team is one of the teams Markham professionals and relocating families trust when they choose where to live, so here is how we help them think about commute and neighbourhood.
Relocating to Markham for work? Ask Neeraj which areas fit your commute.
Call (647) 370 8885Markham's Employment Base
The City of Markham's Facts and Stats page lists about 10,400 businesses, more than 1,000 technology and life sciences companies with about 37,000 workers, and more than 400 Canadian head offices. Named head offices include IBM, AMD, Honda, Lenovo, Huawei, Honeywell, Toshiba, Hyundai, Aviva, Bank of China and Johnson and Johnson.
Many of these offices cluster along Highway 7, Highway 404, Woodbine Avenue and the Highway 407 corridor, plus the growing Markham Centre district.
A Note on First Studio City
In 2018, a large film studio called First Studio City was announced for Markham, with plans for more than 400,000 square feet and about 1,000 jobs, as Daily Hive reported at the time. Today, Urban Toronto's project database lists the site at 14th Avenue and McDowell Gate as a logistics warehouse, previously called First Studio City. If someone tells you a film studio will lift prices nearby, ask for current proof.
Comparing two neighbourhoods for a shorter drive? Neeraj can help you weigh them.
Call (647) 370 8885Where Employees Often Look
| Community | Why people choose it | Q2 2026 average price | Avg days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttonville | Established homes near Highways 404 and 407 | $1,446,926 | 25 |
| Unionville | Main Street, top schools, condos to detached | $988,479 | 30 |
| Cachet | Larger luxury homes north of Highway 7 | $1,677,021 | 22 |
| Angus Glen | Golf course setting, north of 16th Avenue | $1,470,599 | 26 |
| Cathedraltown | Newer homes near Highway 404 | $1,239,213 | 16 |
Source: TRREB Community Market Report, Markham, Q2 2026. Averages mix home types.
Condos in Markham Centre are popular with younger professionals who want to walk or take Viva to work. September 2026 TRREB data puts the Markham condo apartment average at $574,612. See Buttonville, Cachet and Unionville for more.
Want to see what your budget buys near your office?
Call (647) 370 8885How to Test a Commute Before You Buy
- Drive the route at your real start and end times, on a weekday.
- Check whether your office has parking, and whether you need it daily.
- Look at Viva on Highway 7 and the Stouffville GO line if you would rather not drive.
- Ask about hybrid work. Two office days a week changes which areas make sense.
- Check school catchments as carefully as the commute if you have children.
Our guide on neighbourhoods for remote workers helps if you work from home part of the week.
What Employers Mean for Home Values
A wide mix of employers helps keep rental and buyer demand steady, because no single company drives the market. That does not protect prices from interest rates or wider market changes. Our post on how developments and transit affect home values covers the other forces at work.
Moving to Markham for a New Job
- Rent for a few months if you are unsure which area fits, or buy with a flexible closing.
- Get a mortgage pre approval that reflects your new salary and probation period.
- Tour areas on a weekday evening and a weekend.
- Compare the full monthly cost: mortgage, tax, condo fees and commuting.
- If you are coming from Toronto, read our guide on moving to Markham from Toronto.
Have a question about living near your workplace? Call Neeraj.
Call (647) 370 8885Questions Markham Clients Ask
How many tech companies are in Markham?
The City of Markham says more than 1,000 technology and life sciences companies are based here, employing about 37,000 people, along with more than 400 Canadian head offices.
Which Markham neighbourhoods are close to the Highway 404 job area?
Buttonville, Cathedraltown, Cachet, Angus Glen and Unionville are popular for short drives to offices near Highways 404 and 407.
Is First Studio City being built in Markham?
A large studio was announced in 2018, but Urban Toronto's database now lists the site at 14th Avenue and McDowell Gate as a logistics warehouse. Confirm the current status before relying on it.
Where do young professionals live in Markham?
Many choose condos in Markham Centre and along Highway 7 for walkability and Viva transit. The Markham condo apartment average was $574,612 in September 2026.
Does living near big employers protect home values?
A broad employment base supports demand, but prices still move with interest rates and the wider market.
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Find the Area That Fits Your Workday
Neeraj will help you match your commute, schools and budget to the right Markham neighbourhood.
Sources: City of Markham, Facts and Stats; Daily Hive, Markham film studio announcement (2018); Urban Toronto, McDowell Gate Warehouse (formerly First Studio City); TRREB Community Market Report, Markham, Q2 2026.
Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTOR®, Kaizen Real Estate Team, eXp Realty, Brokerage, 9763 Markham Rd, Markham, ON L6E 1A4. (647) 370 8885 · info@kaizenrealestate.ca. Published November 12, 2026. General information only, not legal, tax, financial or engineering advice. Rules and programs change, so confirm details with the official source and your own professionals before you act. Not intended to solicit properties currently under contract.
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