Key Takeaways
- Condos make up the largest share of listings in Greater Vancouver, with a median ask of $688,000 and the shortest time on market at 54 days.
- Townhouses sit in the middle at a median ask of $1,050,000, offering a balance of space and price for growing families.
- Detached houses carry a median ask of $2,084,000 and have been on the market longest at 62 days, appealing to buyers seeking yards and privacy.
- Each property type suits a different stage of life, from first-time buyers to families needing room to grow to downsizers trading maintenance for convenience.
What the Numbers Show About Choice
Walk through any Greater Vancouver neighbourhood and you will see the three main housing types that define how people live here: apartment-style condos, townhouses and detached houses. As of November 2026, the region has 5,401 condos listed for sale, 1,601 townhouses and 4,260 detached houses. Each comes with its own rhythm of daily life, its own trade-offs and its own price.
Condos dominate the listings, making up just under half of what is available. Townhouses are the smallest group, representing about one in eight homes on the market. Detached houses fall in between, accounting for just over a third of all listings. The median asking price for a condo is $688,000, for a townhouse $1,050,000 and for a detached house $2,084,000.
Those figures tell part of the story, but the rest is about how you live.
Life in a Condo
A condo typically means less space but more convenience. You lock the door and leave. No lawn to mow, no roof to replace, no exterior maintenance beyond what the strata handles. For someone working downtown, commuting to campus or travelling often, that simplicity matters.
Condos listed right now have been on the market for a median of 54 days, the shortest time of the three types. That suggests they are moving relatively quickly, though every building and every unit is different. Buyers drawn to condos often value location over square footage. They want to walk to transit, to restaurants, to work. They are willing to trade a yard for a shorter commute and lower upfront cost.
First-time buyers make up a large share of the condo market, as do downsizers leaving a house behind. The latter group is often looking to simplify, to free up equity and to eliminate the physical demands of a larger property. A condo can mean more time and less worry, though it also means strata fees, shared walls and rules about pets, rentals and renovations.
Of the 5,401 condos listed in Greater Vancouver, 1,554 were added in the last 30 days. The median asking price for those newer listings is $675,500, slightly below the overall median. That may reflect a mix of smaller units, older buildings or sellers testing the market at a lower entry point.
Life in a Townhouse
A townhouse offers a middle ground. You get more space than a condo, often across two or three floors, and usually a small yard or patio. You share at least one wall with a neighbour, but you have your own front door and often your own garage. Maintenance is still partly shared through strata, but you have more control over your immediate surroundings than in a high-rise.
Townhouses listed right now have been on the market for a median of 53 days, nearly identical to condos. The median asking price is $1,050,000. That price point puts townhouses out of reach for many first-time buyers unless they have significant savings or help, but it appeals to families who need more bedrooms and a bit of outdoor space without stretching to the cost of a detached house.
Young families are common townhouse buyers. They want room for children, a place to store bikes and strollers, and a backyard where kids can play without crossing a street. They are willing to accept shared walls and strata rules in exchange for affordability and location. Townhouses also suit buyers who want a house-like layout but prefer not to handle all the exterior upkeep themselves.
Of the 1,601 townhouses listed, 470 were added in the last 30 days, with a median asking price of $1,066,500 for those newer listings.
Life in a Detached House
A detached house means privacy, space and full control. You own the land, the structure and everything in between. You can renovate without strata approval, plant what you like, park where you like and live without shared walls. You also handle every repair, every bill and every decision yourself.
Detached houses listed right now have been on the market for a median of 62 days, longer than either condos or townhouses. The median asking price is $2,084,000. That figure reflects the premium buyers pay for land, for separation from neighbours and for the flexibility a detached property offers.
Families with children, multi-generational households and buyers planning to stay long-term are the most common detached house buyers. They want room to grow, space for guests, a yard for a dog or a garden, and the ability to add a suite or a laneway house for rental income or aging parents. The trade-off is cost, both upfront and ongoing, and the time and effort required to maintain a larger property.
Of the 4,260 detached houses listed, 992 were added in the last 30 days. The median asking price for those newer listings is $1,898,000, somewhat below the overall median, possibly reflecting smaller lots, older homes or properties in less central locations.
What to Know Before You Decide
The choice between a condo, a townhouse and a detached house is not just about price. It is about how you want to spend your time, what stage of life you are in and what matters most to you day to day.
If you value convenience, walkability and lower maintenance, a condo may suit you. If you need more space but want to keep costs and upkeep manageable, a townhouse offers a practical middle path. If you want privacy, control and room to grow, and you are prepared for the cost and the work, a detached house is the choice.
Borrowing costs, property taxes, strata fees and insurance all vary by property type and location. A mortgage broker or financial planner can help you understand what you can afford and what the monthly carrying costs will look like. A real estate professional can show you what is available in the neighbourhoods you are considering and help you weigh the trade-offs.
Renanza offers a free home valuation if you are thinking of selling, and you can browse current Greater Vancouver listings to see what is on the market across all three property types. Our buyer guides walk through the steps of financing, making an offer and closing a purchase.
Sources
Renanza Realty — Analysis of active MLS® listings (CREA DDF®) — Greater Vancouver, November 2026
Data last checked: 2026-11-09
