15 Cheapest Cities to Live in Quebec (2026): Affordable Housing Guide
Updated
Quebec is one of the most affordable provinces for housing in Canada, especially outside Montreal and Gatineau. Dozens of cities offer detached homes for $200,000–$350,000 — less than a Toronto studio apartment. The trade-off: higher income taxes, French language requirements, and smaller English-speaking communities. Here are the 15 cheapest.
15 Cheapest Cities in Quebec — Ranked by Home Price
Rank
City
Region
Avg. Home Price
Avg. Household Income
Price-to-Income Ratio
Population
1
Baie-Comeau
Côte-Nord
$170,000–$210,000
$68,000
2.8
~21,000
2
Shawinigan
Mauricie
$180,000–$220,000
$58,000
3.4
~50,000
3
Alma
Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean
$190,000–$230,000
$62,000
3.4
~32,000
4
Val-d’Or
Abitibi-Témiscamingue
$200,000–$250,000
$75,000
3.0
~34,000
5
Rouyn-Noranda
Abitibi-Témiscamingue
$210,000–$260,000
$72,000
3.3
~43,000
6
Rivière-du-Loup
Bas-Saint-Laurent
$210,000–$260,000
$62,000
3.8
~20,000
7
Saguenay
Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean
$230,000–$260,000
$70,000
3.5
~150,000
8
Thetford Mines
Chaudière-Appalaches
$180,000–$230,000
$58,000
3.5
~25,000
9
Trois-Rivières
Mauricie
$250,000–$290,000
$70,000
3.9
~140,000
10
Victoriaville
Centre-du-Québec
$260,000–$310,000
$68,000
4.2
~47,000
11
Drummondville
Centre-du-Québec
$300,000–$350,000
$68,000
4.8
~80,000
12
Rimouski
Bas-Saint-Laurent
$270,000–$320,000
$68,000
4.3
~50,000
13
Granby
Montérégie
$340,000–$390,000
$72,000
5.1
~70,000
14
Sherbrooke
Estrie
$330,000–$380,000
$70,000
5.1
~170,000
15
Saint-Hyacinthe
Montérégie
$340,000–$400,000
$72,000
5.1
~57,000
For context: Montreal averages ~$550,000 and Gatineau ~$430,000.
Quebec vs. Other Affordable Provinces
Factor
Quebec (Trois-Rivières)
New Brunswick (Moncton)
Saskatchewan (Regina)
Manitoba (Winnipeg)
Average home price
$270,000
$335,000
$325,000
$375,000
Provincial income tax (top rate)
25.75%
14.7%
14.5%
17.4%
Sales tax
14.975% (GST+QST)
15% (HST)
11% (GST+PST)
12% (GST+PST)
Daycare cost (monthly)
~$190 ($8.70/day)
$800–$1,200
$700–$1,000
$500–$900
Car insurance (annual)
$700–$1,000 (public)
$800–$1,200
$1,000–$1,500 (public)
$1,200–$1,800 (public)
University tuition (local)
$3,000–$4,500
$7,000–$9,000
$7,000–$9,000
$5,000–$7,000
Language requirement
French essential
English (some French)
English
English
Welcome/transfer tax ($270K home)
~$2,700
~$2,850
N/A
~$3,200
Key takeaway: Quebec’s higher income tax is partially offset by subsidized childcare ($8.70/day saves families $10,000–$18,000/year), cheaper car insurance (public SAAQ), and lower university tuition. For families with young children, Quebec is often the cheapest province overall despite higher taxes.
Mortgage Affordability — $70,000 Household Income in Quebec
Based on 5% down, CMHC insurance, stress test at 7.2%, GDS 39%.
Quebec Welcome Tax (Droits de mutation)
Quebec’s equivalent of land transfer tax uses a progressive bracket system:
Home Price Bracket
Tax Rate
First $58,900
0.5%
$58,900–$294,600
1.0%
$294,600–$500,000
1.5%
Over $500,000
3.0%
Home Price
Welcome Tax Payable
$200,000 (Shawinigan)
~$1,706
$270,000 (Trois-Rivières)
~$2,406
$350,000 (Drummondville)
~$3,236
$550,000 (Montreal)
~$6,736
Note: Some municipalities charge a supplementary rate above $500,000. Montreal charges 3.0% on $500K–$1M and 3.5% above $1M.
City Profiles
Saguenay (Best Overall Value)
Home prices: $230,000–$260,000
Economy: Rio Tinto Alcan (aluminum smelting), Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, healthcare, forestry, tourism (Fjord du Saguenay)
Pros: Stunning fjord scenery, large enough for good services (150K), university anchor, very affordable, strong community
Cons: 450 km from Montreal (4.5-hour drive), limited English services, cold winters, smaller job market
Best for: Francophone families, outdoor enthusiasts, remote workers, healthcare professionals
Trois-Rivières (Best Mid-Size City)
Home prices: $250,000–$290,000
Economy: Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, paper/pulp, manufacturing, healthcare, growing tech sector
Pros: Historic city (founded 1634), halfway between Montreal and Quebec City (1.5 hours each), university culture, affordable, St. Lawrence River waterfront
Cons: Economy less diversified than larger cities, French essential, some industrial decline
Best for: Families, academics, people who want small-city life with easy access to Montreal/Quebec City
Sherbrooke (Best University City)
Home prices: $330,000–$380,000
Economy: Université de Sherbrooke (largest employer), healthcare (CHUS), manufacturing, tech startups, Bishop’s University (English)
Pros: Vibrant university atmosphere, Eastern Townships wine/cheese/cycling culture, affordable, Bishop’s University offers English option, close to Vermont border
Cons: Rising prices (was $250K in 2020), limited public transit, French essential for most jobs
Best for: Academics, young professionals, families, Anglophone students (Bishop’s)
Drummondville (Best Commuter Town)
Home prices: $300,000–$350,000
Economy: Manufacturing, SMEs (highest density in Quebec), food processing, growing service sector
Pros: Midway between Montreal and Quebec City (Trans-Canada highway), strong local economy, affordable family homes, good schools
Cons: Limited cultural scene compared to larger cities, car-dependent, French essential
Best for: Families who want small-town atmosphere with access to larger cities, manufacturing workers