How much does it cost to upsize from a condo to a townhouse in the Tri-Cities?

The short answer

In Coquitlam, the benchmark townhouse cost about $336,000 more than the benchmark condo in September 2026 ($976,600 vs $640,100). In Port Moody the gap was about $265,000, and in Burnaby North about $218,000. On top of the price gap, budget about $17,500 in property transfer tax on the townhouse, plus selling costs on your condo, legal fees and moving.

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The price gap by area

Area	Condo	Townhouse	Gap
Coquitlam	$640,100	$976,600	$336,500
Port Moody	$676,200	$940,900	$264,700
Burnaby North	$662,400	$880,400	$218,000

What the market is doing now

In September 2026, condo sales across Metro Vancouver were down 18.4% from a year earlier, while townhouse sales were down only 3.6%. In Coquitlam, townhouse sales were up 6.1% in August while condo sales fell 13.2%. Condos are taking longer to sell than townhouses, so many families price their condo early and plan the sale before committing to the townhouse.

Benchmark prices and sales from the Greater Vancouver Realtors MLS Home Price Index, September 2026 (current as of October 2, 2026). Coquitlam August figures from Greater Vancouver Realtors data, reported by myRealPage. A benchmark is a typical home, not an average, so your own condo and the townhouse you buy will differ. Prices change monthly.

Example: upsizing in Coquitlam

A family sells a typical Coquitlam condo and buys a typical Coquitlam townhouse. Here is the full cost stack, not just the price gap.

Townhouse purchase price	$976,600
Property transfer tax (1% on first $200,000, 2% on the rest)	$17,532
Legal or notary fees, purchase (ask for a quote)	about $1,500 to $2,500
Home inspection, depending on size	$450 to $1,200
Strata document review	Included with Mild
Moving, depending on home size (get quotes)	Varies
Minus: condo sale price	−$640,100
Plus: selling costs on the condo (realtor commission at the going rate, plus legal fees)	Ask Mild for an estimate
Plus: mortgage prepayment penalty, if you break your mortgage early	Ask your lender
Extra money you need (before inspection, moving, selling costs and any penalty)	about $356,000

That extra amount usually comes from a mix of your condo's equity, a larger mortgage and savings. Your mortgage broker confirms what you qualify for. This page is general information, not financial or legal advice.

Costs families forget

No first-time buyer exemption

If you've owned a home before, you pay the full property transfer tax on your next purchase. On a $1,000,000 townhouse that's $18,000.

Higher strata fees

Townhouses often have higher monthly strata fees than condos, and some complexes have special levies coming. Always read the strata minutes and depreciation report before you remove conditions.

Breaking your mortgage early

If your current mortgage term isn't finished, ask your lender whether you can port it to the new home. Porting can avoid a penalty.

Timing two transactions

Selling and buying at once means lining up two completion dates. A gap can mean bridge financing or a short rental.

Common questions

How much more does a townhouse cost than a condo in Coquitlam?

In September 2026 the benchmark townhouse in Coquitlam was $976,600 and the benchmark condo was $640,100, a gap of about $336,500, according to the Greater Vancouver Realtors MLS Home Price Index. Your own gap depends on the exact homes you sell and buy.

What is the property transfer tax on a $1,000,000 townhouse in BC?

BC property transfer tax is 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the portion up to $2,000,000. On a $1,000,000 purchase that is $2,000 plus $16,000, or $18,000. Upsizers who have owned before do not qualify for the first-time buyer exemption.

Should I sell my condo first or buy the townhouse first?

Selling first gives you certainty about your budget but may mean a short-term rental or a long completion date. Buying first secures the home you want but can require bridge financing. Mild helps families compare both paths with real numbers before deciding.

Who can help me upsize in the Tri-Cities in Thai?

Mild of Mild Homes is a licensed realtor with TRG The Residential Group Realty who helps families upsize in Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burquitlam, Burnaby, Vancouver and Langley, in Thai or English. Call or text 778.953.6597.

See your own numbers

The free Can We Upsize? calculator works out your next-home budget from your condo's value, in English or Thai.

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Open the calculator Book a time with Mild

Mild, Mild Homes. Licensed Realtor, TRG The Residential Group Realty. Serving Coquitlam, Port Moody, Burquitlam, Burnaby, Vancouver and Langley, BC.

Benchmark prices and sales activity: Greater Vancouver Realtors MLS Home Price Index, September 2026. Property transfer tax rates: Province of British Columbia. General information only, not financial or legal advice.

Page updated October 2026.