Land Transfer Tax in Brampton vs Toronto (2026): The Side-by-Side Math

If you're choosing between a home in Brampton and one in Toronto, the price tag isn't the only number that matters. Toronto charges a second land transfer tax on top of Ontario's. On a $900,000 home, that's an extra $14,475 you pay in cash on closing day. Here's the side-by-side math so you can see exactly what each city costs you.

Want the numbers for a specific home? Send it to me and I'll run your real closing costs.

What Is Land Transfer Tax?

Land transfer tax is a one-time tax you pay when you buy a home in Ontario. It's due on closing day, and your lawyer collects it. You can't add it to your mortgage. It has to come from your savings, on top of your down payment.

Every buyer in Ontario pays the provincial tax. Buyers in the City of Toronto pay a second one, called the Municipal Land Transfer Tax (MLTT). Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon and the rest of Peel don't have a municipal tax. You pay the provincial one only.

Ontario's Land Transfer Tax Rates (2026)

The provincial tax works like income tax brackets. Each slice of the price is taxed at its own rate:

Toronto's MLTT uses the same rates up to $2 million. Above that, Toronto's rates climb higher, with extra luxury tiers starting above $3 million. So for most buyers, living in Toronto simply means paying the tax twice.

Brampton vs Toronto: Side by Side

Here's what you'd pay at common price points, before any first-time buyer refund:

Look at the $1.2 million row. That's a detached home in plenty of Brampton neighbourhoods. The same price in Toronto costs you over $20,000 more in tax alone. That's a new roof, a finished basement, or a year of property tax.

First-Time Buyer? You Get Some of It Back

First-time buyers get a refund on both taxes.

• Ontario refund: up to $4,000.
• Toronto MLTT rebate: up to $4,475.

To qualify for the Ontario refund, you must be at least 18, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, live in the home as your main residence, and never have owned a home (or a share of one) anywhere in the world. Your lawyer usually claims it on closing.

Here's the $900,000 example again for a first-time buyer:

• Brampton: $14,475 minus $4,000 = $10,475
• Toronto: $28,950 minus $4,000 minus $4,475 = $20,475

The refunds help. But the gap between the two cities is still $10,000.

How to Use This When You're Deciding

Land transfer tax is cash you never see again. It doesn't build equity. So when you compare two homes in different cities, add the tax to the price before you compare.

Three quick steps:

1. Add the tax to the price. A $900,000 Toronto home really costs you $928,950 up front. A $900,000 Brampton home costs $914,475.
2. Check your cash. Down payment plus land transfer tax plus about 1.5% for other closing costs. That's what you need in the bank.
3. Compare what you get. Lot size, square footage, schools, commute. Then decide if the Toronto address is worth the extra tax.

For a lot of families we work with, that extra $10,000 to $20,000 is the difference between a townhouse and a semi, or between stretching and staying comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you pay Toronto land transfer tax if you buy in Brampton?

No. Brampton has no municipal land transfer tax. You pay only Ontario's provincial land transfer tax. The same goes for Mississauga, Caledon, Milton and Oakville.

How much is land transfer tax on a $900,000 home in Brampton?

$14,475 before any refund. A first-time buyer who qualifies for the full $4,000 refund pays $10,475.

Can I add land transfer tax to my mortgage?

No. It's paid in cash on closing day through your lawyer, on top of your down payment.

Do I pay land transfer tax on a pre-construction home?

Yes. It's paid when the home closes and title transfers to you, not when you sign. Budget for it along with your other new-build closing costs.

Get Your Real Numbers

Every home is different. Price, down payment, first-time status and whether it's new or resale all change the math. Tell me the home or the price range you're looking at, and I'll send you the full closing cost breakdown. You can decide on your own.

Get My Closing Cost Breakdown →

Rates as of September 2026 from Ontario and City of Toronto land transfer tax schedules. Tax figures are calculated for 1–2 family residential homes and are estimates only; confirm final amounts with your real estate lawyer. Team Platinum, Royal LePage Platinum Realty, Brokerage.