Renting in
Duffin Heights.
Pickering's newest community — master-planned new builds, the Seaton development, and a growing neighbourhood that's redefining north Pickering. If you're looking to rent in Duffin Heights, Pickering, this is where young families are putting down roots in brand-new homes with modern finishes and room to grow.
Duffin Heights is one of Pickering's newest communities, sitting in the rapidly developing north end as part of the Seaton development — one of Ontario's largest new community plans. This isn't a neighbourhood with decades of history. It's a neighbourhood being written right now, with brand-new townhomes and detached houses going up on streets that didn't exist five years ago.
The area sits near Duffins Creek, with trails and green space woven into the master plan. The 407 ETR provides fast highway access east and west, and the growing retail and commercial corridor along the 407 is starting to bring services closer to home. For now, daily errands still require a short drive to established Pickering or Ajax.
The demographic here is young, diverse, and family-oriented. South Asian, Caribbean, and East Asian communities have a strong presence. Parks and trails are being built out as the neighbourhood grows, and the future Durham Live entertainment complex nearby promises to add significant dining, entertainment, and employment to the area.
| Unit Type | Avg. Monthly Rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / Bachelor | $1,400–$1,700 | Very rare — mostly basement bachelor suites |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,650–$2,150 | Basement units and new-build apartments |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,100–$2,600 | Townhouse basements and full-unit rentals |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,500–$3,100 | Full townhouse rentals from investor-owners |
Source: MLS® System listings and local market data, Q1 2026 (Pickering, Duffin Heights area). Ranges reflect variation by unit type, age, condition, and inclusions. Average rents across the GTA softened through 2025 and into early 2026 — renters have real negotiating power right now.
What Your Dollar Gets You
Duffin Heights offers brand-new housing stock at prices below established Pickering neighbourhoods. A $2,350 budget that barely gets you a dated 1-bed in downtown Toronto gets you a proper 2-bedroom in a home built within the last few years, often with parking and in-unit laundry.
The majority of available rentals are basement apartments in new townhomes, full townhouse rentals from investor-owners, and the occasional detached home. Because so much of the housing is new, landlords here tend to be first-time investor-owners — which can mean more flexibility but also less experience with tenancies.
Most rentals include one or two parking spots, which is essential given the area's car-dependent layout. Utilities are sometimes included in basement units.
Transit & Roads
Let's be direct: Duffin Heights is a car-first neighbourhood. Transit service is limited to a handful of Durham Region Transit (DRT) routes, and frequency can be thin outside peak hours. The Walk Score sits around 30 — you're driving for groceries, driving for errands, driving for most things.
The 407 ETR is just 5 minutes south, providing fast toll-highway access east toward Oshawa and west toward Markham and the 404/DVP. The 401 is accessible via Brock Road or Whites Road, connecting you to downtown Toronto in roughly 50 minutes outside of rush hour.
Pickering GO Station is a 10-minute drive south on the Lakeshore East line — roughly 50 minutes into Union Station. Scarborough is 20 minutes by car, and Ajax is 10 minutes east. If you're commuting by transit to downtown, budget 70–80 minutes each way realistically.
- Toronto: 50 min drive via 401/407
- Pickering GO: 10 min drive south
- Scarborough: 20 min drive
- 407 ETR: 5 min drive
- Ajax: 10 min drive east
What This Means for Renters
Duffin Heights skews solidly middle-to-upper-middle-income — the median household income sits around $98,000, reflecting a neighbourhood of dual-income families and working professionals. The $100K–$150K bracket is the largest single segment at 28%, which tells you this is a community of established earners, not entry-level renters.
For landlords in the area, that income profile means they expect well-documented rental applications with proof of income, credit checks, and references. Because much of the rental stock comes from first-time investor-owners, having your application package complete and polished gives you a significant edge.
We have access to every MLS® System listing in Duffin Heights and across Pickering. Submit your application and we'll have showings booked within 24 hours, subject to availability.
Start Your Application →Thinking of buying instead? Explore homes at TheHousingMarket.ca
Duffin Heights is an excellent choice for renters who want brand-new housing stock, modern finishes, and a family-oriented community at prices below downtown Toronto or established Pickering. The trade-off is that amenities are still catching up — retail, restaurants, and transit options are limited compared to more established neighbourhoods. A car is essential here, and you should expect some construction activity as the Seaton development continues to build out.
Seaton is one of Ontario's largest new community plans, a master-planned development in north Pickering that includes Duffin Heights. It encompasses thousands of new homes — townhomes, detached, and semi-detached — along with planned schools, parks, retail, and community infrastructure. The development is still actively being built out, which means the neighbourhood is evolving rapidly. For renters, this translates to new housing stock but also ongoing construction and amenities that are still maturing.
Yes. Duffin Heights is almost entirely new construction, with the majority of homes built from 2018 onward as part of the Seaton development. For renters, this means modern layouts, energy-efficient builds, and newer finishes throughout. Most rental units here are basement apartments in new townhomes or detached homes, or entire townhouse rentals from investor-owners. Because the housing is so new, most units are not subject to Ontario rent control (which only applies to units first occupied before November 15, 2018). Read our full Ontario Rent Control Guide →
Practically speaking, yes — a car is essential in Duffin Heights. Transit service is limited to a handful of Durham Region Transit routes, and frequency can be sparse outside of peak hours. The Walk Score sits around 30 and the Transit Score around 35. Pickering GO Station is a 10-minute drive south on the Lakeshore East line, and the 407 ETR provides fast highway access, but daily life here — groceries, errands, school runs — is designed around driving.
Duffin Heights is one of the best family-oriented rental communities in the Durham Region. Approximately 60% of households are families, the housing stock is brand new with modern layouts built for family living, new schools are being constructed to serve the growing community, and parks and trails are being developed throughout the Seaton plan. The neighbourhood skews young — 65% of residents are aged 25–44 — creating a strong peer community for young families at the same life stage.
As part of the Seaton master plan, Duffin Heights has significant amenity growth on the horizon. New retail plazas are under development along major corridors, additional schools are being built, community parks and trail networks are expanding, and the future Durham Live entertainment complex nearby will add major dining, entertainment, and employment options. The 407 ETR corridor commercial development is also bringing big-box retail and services closer. The neighbourhood is expected to look very different in 3–5 years as infrastructure catches up to residential growth.