Quebec City Housing Market Report — Q1 2026
Quebec City is the provincial capital of Quebec and one of North America’s oldest continuously inhabited urban areas, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 570,000. The city has consistently been one of Canada’s most resilient housing markets, posting strong year-over-year price growth through 2024 and 2025 while much of the country corrected. A tight housing supply, strong local public-sector employment base, a booming tech sector, and a low unemployment rate have kept demand elevated.
Q1 2026 data from the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB/APCIQ) shows continued strong price appreciation in the Quebec City CMA, in contrast to most major Canadian markets.
Key Highlights — Q1 2026 (QPAREB/APCIQ, Quebec City CMA):
- Single-family median price: $477,000 (+10% year-over-year)
- Condominium median price: $331,000 (+9% year-over-year)
- Plex median price: $543,000 (+7% year-over-year)
- Total residential sales: 2,673 (-1% year-over-year)
- Active listings: 1,903 (-4% year-over-year, 64% below 10-year average)
- Market: seller’s market conditions — 42% of transactions involved overbidding
- Average days on market: 23 days (single-family)
- Welcome tax (droits de mutation) applies in Quebec — no Ontario/BC-style LTT
Quebec City Home Prices — Q1 2026
| Home Type | Median Price |
|---|---|
| Single-family detached | $477,000 (+10% YoY) |
| Condominiums | $331,000 (+9% YoY) |
| Plexes (2–5 units) | $543,000 (+7% YoY) |
| Cottages / older detached | $380,000–$550,000 |
Quebec City’s housing stock includes a high proportion of plexes (income-generating multi-unit properties) as well as the distinct “cottage” style homes in older neighbourhoods. The QPAREB aggregate average includes all property types.
Market Metrics — Q1 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| SF Median Price | $477,000 (+10% YoY) |
| Condo Median Price | $331,000 (+9% YoY) |
| Plex Median Price | $543,000 (+7% YoY) |
| Total Sales (Q1) | 2,673 (-1% YoY) |
| Active Listings | 1,903 (-4% YoY) |
| Overbidding Rate | 42% of transactions |
| Avg DOM (SF) | 23 days (-12 days YoY) |
| Market Condition | Seller’s market |
| Data Source | QPAREB/APCIQ |
Income Required to Buy in Quebec City
Assumptions: 20% down payment, 3.99% contract rate (5.99% qualifying rate), 25-year amortization, GDS ratio of 32%, property tax $354/month, heating $150/month.
| Home Price | Mortgage (80%) | Income Required |
|---|---|---|
| $477,000 (SF median) | $381,600 | $111,600 |
| $331,000 (condo median) | $264,800 | $83,800 |
| $280,000 (small condo) | $224,000 | $76,200 |
| $543,000 (plex median) | $434,400 | $124,100 |
| $700,000 (premium) | $560,000 | $154,000 |
Key Trends — Quebec City Q1 2026
Record Market in a Sea of Corrections: While most Canadian housing markets are experiencing year-over-year price declines in 2025–2026, Quebec City bucked the trend with 10% YoY growth in single-family median prices in Q1 2026. This outlier performance reflects structural supply constraints — Quebec City builds relatively few new homes relative to demand — combined with a stable employment base.
Critical Supply Shortfall: With only 1,903 active listings — 64% below the 10-year historical average — Quebec City’s inventory is at extreme lows. The shortage intensified for another consecutive quarter during winter, unlike most other Canadian markets where supply has been building. This severe scarcity drives persistent overbidding (42% of transactions).
Government Employment Base: Quebec City is one of Canada’s most government-employment-intensive cities. The provincial and federal public service, National Defence, and related agencies provide recession-resistant employment that supports housing demand even during economic downturns.
Growing Tech Sector: Quebec City has emerged as a significant tech and gaming hub (Ubisoft Quebec, assorted IT firms, video game sector). CGI, Intact Financial, and Desjardins all have significant operations. Tech workers demand urban condos and established neighbourhood homes at values still far below coastal cities.
Affordability Advantage: At a single-family median of $477,000, Quebec City remains one of Canada’s most affordable major urban housing markets despite years of above-inflation appreciation. An income of approximately $112,000 qualifies for the median single-family home, compared to $200,000+ in most Ontario and BC cities.
Notable Neighbourhoods in Quebec City
Old Quebec (Vieux-Québec / Haute-Ville & Basse-Ville): UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most historically significant urban district in Canada. Mostly condos and commercial conversions. Premium pricing; condos $400k–$800k+. Extremely limited availability.
Sainte-Foy: Main commercial and institutional hub in western Quebec City. Home to Université Laval, major shopping centres, and hospitals. Mix of condos, semis, and detached. Strong middle-class residential character. Detached $450k–$750k.
Charlesbourg: Established north-shore suburb with detached housing. Golf courses, access to Laurentian foothills. Detached $380k–$600k. Fiscally stable, family-oriented.
Beauport: Eastern residential suburb with waterfront access to the St. Lawrence River. Primarily detached homes. Growing new development at the northern fringe. Detached $380k–$550k.
Lebourgneuf: Suburban commercial/residential mix in northwest Quebec City. Modern condos and townhomes, convenient access. Mid-range condos $260k–$420k.
Limoilou: Trendy, walkable urban neighbourhood adjacent to the Old Port in Lower Quebec City. Dense with cafés, markets, boutiques. High concentration of plexes and older character buildings. Condos and plex units $250k–$450k.
Saint-Roch: Lower Town revitalization success story. Creative economy, tech offices, craft breweries, excellent cycling infrastructure. Condos $280k–$480k, plexes $400k–$600k.
Quebec Welcome Tax (Droits de Mutation)
Quebec does not use the same “Land Transfer Tax” as Ontario or “Property Transfer Tax” as BC. Instead, municipalities levy a welcome tax (taxe de bienvenue) under provincial enabling legislation, with revenue going to the municipality.
Welcome Tax on a $477,000 home in Quebec City:
| Portion | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| First $53,700 | 0.5% | $268.50 |
| $53,701–$267,100 | 1.0% | $2,134 |
| Over $267,100 | 1.5% | $3,149 |
| Total | ≈ $5,552 |
Note: As of 2024, Quebec City (aggregated city) has not added any additional municipal rate above the provincial minimums for the standard brackets, unlike the City of Montreal which adds a surcharge on high-value properties. The thresholds adjust annually.
There is no first-time buyer exemption for the welcome tax in Quebec — it applies to all purchases.
Related Calculators & Tools
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator
- Land Transfer Tax Calculator
- CMHC Mortgage Insurance Calculator
- Moncton Housing Market
- Montreal Housing Market — Quebec’s largest market
- Quebec Housing Market — provincial overview
- Canada Housing Market — national overview
Data Sources
- Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB/APCIQ) — Q1 2026
- Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) — National MLS® Statistics
- Data period: January–March 2026