Best Bungalows for Sale in Ontario Under $1M

If you’re hoping to find a classic bungalow lifestyle without crossing that million-dollar line, there are still a few corners in Ontario where it’s doable. It’s not easy, and the options are getting slimmer every year, but in places like Oakville, Milton, and Hamilton, you can still catch a fair deal if you know where to look.

Here’s what’s happening across these three markets — and where your best chances are in today’s Canadian housing market.

Best Bungalow Areas Under $1 Million in Oakville, Milton & Hamilton

The idea of owning a bungalow in Ontario sounds simple enough — until you start checking prices. Detached homes across the Canadian real estate market have jumped fast in the past few years, and single-storey homes, in particular, have become rare finds. Still, there are a few neighbourhoods where the numbers line up.

Even though Oakville, Milton, and Hamilton sit within the same region, they move at very different speeds. Hamilton still gives you detached bungalows for sale under a million. Milton is hanging on with a few older pockets, and Oakville, well, most of its bungalows are already past that line. Let’s break it down.

Hamilton: The Strongest Market for Detached Bungalows

If your goal is to buy a bungalow in Ontario that is under a million, Hamilton should be the first place you look. The city still has the balance that’s missing from most parts of the GTA. Prices haven’t exploded as hard, and the average detached home still lands in the mid to high $700,000s.

Neighbourhoods like Stoney Creek, Dundas, and Flamborough have become go-to spots for bungalow buyers. These areas are full of mid-century homes, built between the ’50s and ’70s, sitting on expansive lots with real backyards — not the tight layouts you get in newer builds. Some have already been updated; others are blank slates for anyone who wants to put in a bit of work.

If you want more space and privacy, Dundas and Flamborough usually deliver. If you’d rather stay closer to highways, shopping, or the GO line, East Hamilton and Stoney Creek make more sense. Even with steady demand, there’s still room to buy comfortably below the million mark — something you can’t say for many other southern Ontario cities.

Hamilton’s most significant edge is that it still offers real value in a market that’s short on it. For anyone scanning Canadian homes for sale, Hamilton’s bungalow scene remains one of the few that’s still grounded in reality.

Milton: Feasible, but Tight

Milton’s market sits right on the edge of affordability. The town’s grown fast, and its average home price now hovers close to $1 million. That means finding a bungalow here isn’t impossible — but it’s more of a waiting game.

Your best shot is in the older neighbourhoods: Old Milton, Dorset Park, Timberlea, and Bronte Meadows. These are the kinds of streets with big trees, older homes, and that real small-town feel that newer subdivisions lack. The bungalows you’ll find here are smaller, sometimes dated, but full of potential.

Milton’s newer areas are almost entirely two-storey builds and townhomes, so single-level homes are few and far between. When one pops up, it’s usually gone in a matter of days. Buyers who stay on top of market updates or have alerts set on REALTOR.ca tend to catch them before the rest of the crowd.

Even with low supply, Milton still draws both families and downsizers who want Halton to have a balance — close to everything, quieter than Mississauga, and not as expensive as Oakville. If you’re serious about bungalows for sale in Milton, move fast when the right one shows up and don’t rule out homes that need minor fixing.

Oakville: Where “Bungalow” Means Something Different

Oakville’s another story altogether. The town’s reputation for luxury shows up right in its price tags. Detached bungalows under $1 million have mostly disappeared, and the few that exist are usually well beyond that range.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t live the single-level lifestyle. It just means looking at alternatives. Oakville has a growing mix of bungalow-style condos and ground-floor townhomes that offer the same easy-living layout without the detached home cost.

You’ll mostly find the more affordable options in Old Oakville, West Oak Trails, and Uptown Core. These areas have a mix of newer low-rise condos and stacked townhomes that still let you enjoy Oakville’s good schools and location, just without the million-plus price tag.

If you’re fixed on a detached bungalow, you’ll have to stretch. Most of them start around $1.2 million and can go up to $1.8 million, depending on the lot and how updated they are. If that’s pushing the budget, it’s worth looking a bit farther out — Burlington and Waterdown still offer more space for less money, and you’re not giving up much in terms of commute or community.

Comparing the Three Markets

The difference is pretty straightforward — the same budget that gets you a detached bungalow in Hamilton might only cover a condo in Oakville.

Before You Start Searching

The truth is, detached bungalows in the Canadian housing market are getting harder to find every year. Prices keep shifting, and inventory moves fast. If your goal is to stay under $1 million, strategy matters as much as budget.

Be honest about condition — most homes in this range will need some work. Plan for small renovations or updates. Use the right search filters: set your maximum price at $1M, choose “detached,” and include “bungalow” or “one storey” in your search terms.

Keep up with market news. Milton, Hamilton, and Oakville each move at their own pace, and what’s true in one city may not apply to the other. And if Oakville’s numbers stretch your limit, it’s okay to look west — Burlington and Waterdown still share the same commuter routes but come with better pricing.

Final Word

Finding a bungalow for sale under $1 million in Ontario isn’t easy anymore, but it’s not out of reach either. Hamilton is still the most realistic market if you want a detached property with space and value. Milton keeps a few older gems if you’re quick enough. And Oakville, while priced higher, offers single-level options through condos and townhomes that still deliver that easy-living setup.

If you’re looking right now, start with Hamilton — that’s where your money still stretches the farthest. Keep Milton on your radar, because every now and then, a nice one shows up there, too. And Oakville? Think of it as your next step once you’re ready to trade up. That’s how you work the market instead of letting it work you — one smart move at a time.