Is Vaughan in Toronto?

Vaughan, Ontario, is one of the best communities in the Greater Toronto Area. However, not everyone is familiar with Vaughan’s unique identity and its relationship to Canada’s largest city – especially folks who don’t live here, so we often hear the question “Is Vaughan in Toronto?”

In this blog, we’re clearing the air on Vaughan, its identity as a Toronto suburb, what it’s like to live there, and more!

Where is Vaughan, Ontario?

If you’re looking at a map, it’s easy to see why some people may think that Vaughan is part of Toronto. After all, the two cities share a border.

From a bird’s-eye view, Vaughan is more or less located north of Toronto’s west end. Officially, its southern border is marked by Steeles Avenue West, which stretches from Brampton and Caledon in the west to parts of Markham and Richmond Hill along Yonge Street in the east. Vaughan extends a fair bit north, stopping just shy of the communities of Nobleton and King City.

Want to know more about living in Vaughan? Check out these other blog posts.

• Is Vaughan a Good Place to Raise Kids?
• Where Can I Find Mansions in Vaughan?
• Where Are the Best Luxury Homes in the GTA

Vaughan Landmarks

Another easy way to visualize Vaughan’s location is with local landmarks. Even if you’re unfamiliar with where Vaughan is, you may have visited (or at least heard of) a few of our local attractions like Canada’s Wonderland or Vaughan Mills. Or if you’ve ever ridden Toronto’s subway system, you may have used Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station, which is the final stop on the western portion of Line 1.

Is Vaughan Part of Toronto?

On paper, no – Vaughan is not formally part of the City of Toronto. Rather, Vaughan is an independent city with its own municipal government, services, and bylaws as part of York Region.

However, because the two cities are so close to each other (both geographically and in spirit), there is plenty of overlap between Vaughan and Toronto in terms of culture, demographics, economics and infrastructure.

If you asked “Is Vaughan in the GTA?” The answer is: Yes! However, you should know, that as one of the Greater Toronto Area’s biggest (and best) suburbs, Vaughan has its own distinct identity. In fact, if you ask most locals where they’re from, they’ll proudly tell you Vaughan, rather than looping themselves in with the big city.

Of course, there’s still plenty of crossover between both, with many Vaughan residents commuting to Toronto for work or school – and vice versa.

How Far is Vaughan From Toronto?

Vaughan and Toronto are essentially next-door neighbours. So, the two cities are as close as you can be.

That said, because both Vaughan and Toronto are geographically big cities, travelling from one to the other can vary based on your specific destination. For instance, travelling from downtown Toronto to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre by car can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. However, getting from Toronto’s York University to Vaughan’s Woodbridge neighbourhood is as easy as crossing the street.

On the hunt for more home buying advice? You may find these related blogs helpful!

• How To Buy A Home
• Moving to Toronto: How to Find a Relocation Specialist
• 5 Reasons You Should Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval Before Heading to the Market

How Big is Vaughan?

Something that may surprise you about Vaughan is its size. One thing we hear all the time as local real estate agents is, “Is Vaughan a city?” and the answer is yes, absolutely.

As of 2025, Vaughan is home to more than 350,000 people, and it’s still growing. In terms of the Vaughan population, it ranks among the largest cities in Ontario, and is in the top 20 for all of Canada.

Beyond just the population itself, Vaughan really feels like a city. You’ve got all the amenities and advantages you’d expect from a metropolitan urban area, like great entertainment and restaurants, a robust public transportation network, plenty of culture, great job opportunities, access to two airports, and more. Not to mention, all these perks come without the price tag of living in central Toronto.

What’s it Like Living in Vaughan?

There’s a lot to love about living in Vaughan, whatever your ideal lifestyle may look like. For instance, families love Vaughan’s kid-friendly neighbourhoods, affordable homes, high-ranking schools, and welcoming atmosphere. Affluent residents are drawn to Vaughan’s great selection of luxury properties, high-end neighbourhoods, and upscale amenities – including some of the top golf courses in Canada like the National Golf Club and Copper Creek.

Moving to Vaughan?

If you’re thinking about moving to Vaughan, you’ll want to work with a relocation specialist. More specifically, a local real estate agent who has the connections and expertise to help you find a great place. That’s where we come in, the Lino Arci team.

As Vaughan’s top real estate team (and local residents ourselves), we’ve helped countless buyers find the right home, in the right neighbourhood – and we can do the same for you!

Want to buy a house in Vaughan? The Lino Arci Team can help! Call 416-571-2724 or send an email to info@arciteam.com today!