About Whitby
Whitby is Durham Region's most sought-after community — a clean, safe, family-oriented town on the Lake Ontario shore with one of the highest median household incomes in the GTA ($112,000). It consistently ranks among Ontario's top communities for families, combining excellent schools, beautiful parks, and a genuine small-town character with urban GO Train access.
The downtown core on Dundas Street has been revitalized with independent restaurants and boutiques. The waterfront trail, Heydenshore Park, and Lynde Creek Marsh offer exceptional outdoor recreation. For families commuting to Toronto, Whitby offers the best balance of space, safety, and affordability in Durham Region.
Cost of Living in Whitby
Whitby is significantly more affordable than the west GTA — roughly 30% cheaper than Mississauga for a comparable family home, while offering better schools, lower crime, and more space.
Pros & Cons of Living in Whitby
✓ Pros
- One of Durham Region's safest communities
- Excellent DDSB schools above board average
- Beautiful Lake Ontario waterfront and trails
- Very high household incomes ($112K median)
- 55-min GO Train to Toronto Union Station
- 30% cheaper than equivalent west GTA communities
- Genuine community character and downtown core
- Excellent parks — Heydenshore, Lynde Shores Conservation
✗ Cons
- Car-dependent — walk score only 38/100
- Limited local job market — most commute to Toronto
- Durham Region Transit is limited vs TTC
- Fewer restaurants and cultural options than urban cities
- Lake effect snow — more than Toronto
- Still developing downtown compared to Oakville or Burlington