Multiplex vs Condo vs Townhouse: Which Fits Your Family?
Greater Vancouver REALTORS publishes price benchmarks for detached homes, townhouses and apartments, and none for multiplex homes. In September 2026 the townhouse benchmark was $1,016,700 and the apartment benchmark was $682,500, both lower than a year earlier. This guide compares the three on what can be checked: price data, strata fees, space and outdoor room, and the rules on renting.
Questions about this guide: Gary Paul, REALTOR®, Personal Real Estate Corporation, Grand Central Realty, 778-828-7476
Key Topics
Prices fell across the board
In the year to September 2026, Greater Vancouver benchmarks fell 4.7% for townhouses, 6.2% for apartments and 7.3% for detached homes, according to Greater Vancouver REALTORS.
No multiplex benchmark
No price index covers multiplex homes, so compare the asking prices and floor areas of the exact homes you are considering, and ask your realtor for recent sales nearby.
Strata fees differ by building
StrataCalc, a fee tool for condo buyers, gives $0.45 to $0.70 a square foot a month as general estimates for Metro Vancouver condos. Many small multiplex buildings list a fee of $0.
Front door and outdoor room
Multiplex and townhouse homes usually open straight to the outside, often with a yard or patio. Condo apartments usually share a lobby, hallways and an elevator.
Renting is allowed in all three
Section 141 of BC's Strata Property Act says a strata must not restrict the rental of a strata lot. That applies to condo, townhouse and multiplex stratas alike.
Repair planning depends on size
A strata of 5 or more homes must get a depreciation report every 5 years. A duplex, triplex or fourplex strata does not, so ask how repairs are planned and saved for.
How the Three Compare
Only figures with a published source are shown. Where no source exists, we say so.
| Factor | Multiplex home | Condo apartment | Townhouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price benchmark, September 2026 | None published | $682,500 | $1,016,700 |
| Change over one year | None published | Down 6.2% | Down 4.7% |
| Strata fee | Often $0 in 2 to 4 homes; median $388 in 5 to 8 homes (our count) | $0.45 to $0.70 a sq ft a month (StrataCalc estimates) | Depends on the building |
| Entrance | Usually its own front door | Usually a shared lobby and hallway | Usually its own front door |
| Renting your home | The strata cannot restrict it | The strata cannot restrict it | The strata cannot restrict it |
| Depreciation report | Not required under 5 homes | Required if 5 or more homes | Required if 5 or more homes |
Benchmarks: Greater Vancouver REALTORS, MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026 (Greater Vancouver). Condo fee estimates: StrataCalc, updated March 25, 2026. Multiplex strata fees: MultiLiving count of MLS® listings for sale in Vancouver and Burnaby, October 10, 2026. Renting: Strata Property Act, section 141. Depreciation reports: BC government.
Our view
The label on a listing tells you less than the documents behind it. A well run fourplex with a healthy savings fund can cost less to live in than a condo with a large fee, and the reverse can also be true.
Where we have an opinion, it is this: families who want a front door and a yard close to their parents or children are the buyers multiplex homes suit best. Browse multiplex homes for sale or talk to our team.
Where these rules come from
- Greater Vancouver REALTORS monthly market report and MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026, Greater Vancouver REALTORS. Released October 2, 2026, accessed October 9, 2026.
- Average Strata Fees in Vancouver: What's Normal?, StrataCalc. Updated March 25, 2026, accessed October 8, 2026.
- Strata Property Act, Part 8: Rentals (section 141), BC Laws. Current consolidation, accessed October 8, 2026.
- Strata depreciation report requirements, Government of British Columbia. Published November 12, 2025, accessed October 8, 2026.
- Strata Property Act, Part 6: Finances (sections 91 to 118), BC Laws. Current consolidation, accessed October 8, 2026.
- Multiplex strata fee counts: MultiLiving, from MLS® listings for sale in Vancouver and Burnaby, October 10, 2026.
General information only. The price benchmarks, condo fee estimates and strata fee counts on this page are as published or counted on the dates noted, and they change every month. They are not financial, mortgage or legal advice, and they are not an estimate of what any home is worth. Talk to a licensed realtor about recent sales, and to an independent real estate lawyer, before you make any purchase decision.
Be first to see new projects coming soon
Get the free Buyer Guide and early access to new multiplex projects in Greater Vancouver, before they're publicly listed.
Key Takeaways
- Greater Vancouver REALTORS publishes no price benchmark for multiplex homes.
- In September 2026 the townhouse benchmark was $1,016,700 and the apartment benchmark $682,500.
- Every benchmark fell over the year to September 2026.
- Many small multiplex buildings list a strata fee of $0; larger buildings usually charge one.
- A strata cannot restrict renting, whether it is a condo, townhouse or multiplex.
- Each home type suits a different family; compare the exact homes, not the labels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a multiplex home cheaper than a condo in Vancouver?
There is no published benchmark that answers this. Greater Vancouver REALTORS publishes price benchmarks for detached homes, townhouses and apartments, and in September 2026 the apartment benchmark was $682,500. It publishes none for multiplex homes. To compare, look at the asking price and floor area of the specific homes you are considering, and ask your realtor for recent sales of similar homes nearby.
How do strata fees compare for a condo, townhouse and multiplex?
StrataCalc, a fee tool for condo buyers, gives $0.45 to $0.70 per square foot per month as general estimates for Metro Vancouver condos, depending on building type and amenities. On October 10, 2026, 359 of 438 multiplex homes for sale in Vancouver and Burnaby buildings of 2 to 4 homes listed a strata fee of $0, and buildings of 5 to 8 homes had a median fee of $388 a month across 71 listings. The fee for any home depends on that building's budget, so ask for it before you compare.
What is the difference between a townhouse and a multiplex?
A townhouse describes a shape: a home on two or more floors with its own entrance at ground level. A multiplex describes a count: a building split into a small number of separately owned homes, such as a duplex, triplex or fourplex. One building can be both, for example a fourplex laid out as four townhouses. The floor plan tells you more than the label in the listing does.
Did Vancouver home prices fall in 2026?
Yes, by every published benchmark. Greater Vancouver REALTORS reported that in the year to September 2026 the benchmark fell 4.7% for townhouses, to $1,016,700, 6.2% for apartments, to $682,500, and 7.3% for detached homes, to $1,784,700. The composite benchmark for all homes fell 5.5%, to $1,075,900. No benchmark is published for multiplex homes, so we cannot say how their prices moved.
Can I rent out a condo, townhouse or multiplex home I buy?
Yes. Section 141 of BC's Strata Property Act says a strata corporation must not screen tenants or otherwise restrict the rental of a strata lot. That rule applies to every residential strata, whether it is a condo tower, a townhouse complex or a multiplex. Your tenant must follow the strata's bylaws, and renting makes you a landlord under BC's Residential Tenancy Act, which has its own rules.
Which home type has more risk of a special levy?
It depends on the building more than the type. A special levy is a one-time charge for a repair the savings fund cannot cover, and it needs a 3/4 vote of the owners. A strata of 5 or more homes must have a depreciation report every 5 years, which plans repairs ahead. A duplex, triplex or fourplex does not need one, so read the savings balance and recent minutes before you buy.
Who is a multiplex home best for?
In our view, a multiplex home suits families who want their own front door, some outdoor space and a neighbourhood they could not afford as a detached buyer, and who are comfortable sharing decisions with a small number of other owners. A condo suits buyers who want a lower entry price and a building run by a larger group. A townhouse sits between the two. Compare the exact homes before you choose.
What should I compare before choosing a home type?
Compare the asking price with the floor area, the strata fee with the budget behind it, the savings fund balance, the outdoor space and parking shown on the strata plan, and the bylaws on pets. Then read recent meeting minutes for repairs and levies. These documents tell you more about the cost of living in a home than the home type does, whichever type you choose.
More from The Playbook
Why Multiplex
The case for ground-oriented living
ExploreBuying Guide
From discovery to closing
ExploreFinancing
Mortgages, programs & more
ExploreMarket Reports
Data, trends & analysis
ExploreLiving
What ownership looks like
ExploreMulti-Gen
Families buying together
ExploreWhere to Buy (Van)
Vancouver neighbourhood data
ExploreWhere to Buy (Burnaby)
Burnaby neighbourhood data
ExploreStrata Guide
Bylaws, governance & ownership
ExploreTalk to a Multiplex Expert
Whether you're buying, building, or exploring your options, our team can help you navigate the process with confidence.
Ready to find your multiplex?
Browse duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes across Greater Vancouver and BC.