Markham vs Holland Landing: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Holland Landing scores higher for long-term retiree livability. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Holland Landing is approximately 24% less expensive than Markham based on cost of living including rent. This makes Holland Landing a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Holland Landing has a FIRE Score of N/A/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 90, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Holland Landing is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About Markham
Markham is a suburb that quietly outperforms its reputation, with a safety index of 88/100 and an overall expat score of 81/100 that make it a serious contender for families and remote workers alike. The trade-off is cost: $1,568/mo for a one-bedroom downtown or $1,397/mo outside the centre, against an average net salary of $3,115/mo, means you will feel the squeeze unless you are earning well above the local median. The large expat community in Unionville, Cornell, and Milliken plus a 6 km hop to YYZ give it real practical pull, but do not expect Toronto's energy or a bargain.
About Canada
Canada taxes hard: expect 33% federal plus up to 21.8% provincial, a real drag on FIRE math. A retirement visa exists, so retirees do have a potential entry path, though it's not always straightforward. But remote workers and digital nomads should look past this, given a 9/10 expat friendliness score and 379.96 Mbps average internet. A 1BR apartment averaging $1,304.56/mo confirms the tax hit is the real cost center here, not rent.
$884/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Holland Landing
Holland Landing is a quiet, safe outlier for anyone who values space over scene, with an excellent expat score of 88/100 and a safety index of 90/100 that makes it feel like a fortress of calm. The rent math is the real story: a single adult can get by on $1,150/mo in the budget tier, and even the comfortable tier at $2,141/mo undercuts most Toronto-area suburbs, though you'll pay for that with brutal winters that hit -28°C. The healthcare is excellent and English is widely spoken, but the digital nomad score of 73/100 and a modest 70 Mbps internet speed mean you're better off as a retiree or a remote worker who doesn't need constant connectivity. If you can handle the cold and don't mind being 5 km from YYZ airport, this is a no-nonsense, low-crime choice that won't drain your wallet.
About Canada
Canada taxes hard: expect 33% federal plus up to 21.8% provincial, a real drag on FIRE math. A retirement visa exists, so retirees do have a potential entry path, though it's not always straightforward. But remote workers and digital nomads should look past this, given a 9/10 expat friendliness score and 379.96 Mbps average internet. A 1BR apartment averaging $1,304.56/mo confirms the tax hit is the real cost center here, not rent.
$1,232/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Markham | Holland Landing |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1567.58 | $1262.48 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1397.49 | $1052.06 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2700.3 | $1963.85 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $2281.23 | $1753.44 |
| Safety Index | 88 | 90 |
| Internet Speed | 110Mbps | 70Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Markham | Holland Landing |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,201/mo | $1,838/mo |
| Excluding rent | $804/mo | $786/mo |
| Rent | $1,397/mo | $1,052/mo |
| Groceries | $233/mo | $202/mo |
| Dining out | $175/mo | $140/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $108/mo | $98.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $197/mo | $258/mo |
| Transport | $91.00/mo | $88.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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