Quebec offers some of the most affordable housing in Canada’s major urban centres. Montreal, despite being Canada’s second-largest city, has average home prices well below Toronto and Vancouver. Smaller Quebec cities are even more accessible, making homeownership realistic on modest incomes.
This guide breaks down the income you need to buy a home across Quebec in 2026.
Quebec housing market overview
| City / Region | Average Home Price | Average Detached | Average Condo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal (Greater) | $565,000 | $650,000 | $450,000 |
| Quebec City | $380,000 | $420,000 | $270,000 |
| Gatineau | $420,000 | $470,000 | $300,000 |
| Sherbrooke | $370,000 | $400,000 | $250,000 |
| Trois-Rivières | $310,000 | $340,000 | $220,000 |
| Saguenay | $280,000 | $300,000 | $190,000 |
| Drummondville | $330,000 | $360,000 | $230,000 |
Income needed by city (20% down payment)
Approximate household income required to buy an average-priced home with 20% down, minimal existing debt, at a 4.5% mortgage rate with 25-year amortization.
| City | Average Price | Mortgage (80%) | Monthly Payment | Property Tax/mo | Income Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | $565,000 | $452,000 | $2,486 | $410 | ~$118,000 |
| Quebec City | $380,000 | $304,000 | $1,672 | $340 | ~$82,000 |
| Gatineau | $420,000 | $336,000 | $1,848 | $370 | ~$89,000 |
| Sherbrooke | $370,000 | $296,000 | $1,628 | $330 | ~$80,000 |
| Trois-Rivières | $310,000 | $248,000 | $1,364 | $290 | ~$69,000 |
| Saguenay | $280,000 | $224,000 | $1,232 | $270 | ~$63,000 |
| Drummondville | $330,000 | $264,000 | $1,452 | $300 | ~$73,000 |
Calculation method: Monthly housing costs (mortgage + property tax + heating $175) ÷ 0.39 (GDS limit) × 12. Stress-tested at contract rate + 2%.
Income needed with 5% down payment
| City | Average Price | CMHC Premium | Income Needed (5% down) | Income Needed (20% down) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal | $565,000 | ~$19,600 | ~$140,000 | ~$118,000 |
| Quebec City | $380,000 | ~$12,900 | ~$98,000 | ~$82,000 |
| Gatineau | $420,000 | ~$14,300 | ~$106,000 | ~$89,000 |
| Sherbrooke | $370,000 | ~$12,500 | ~$96,000 | ~$80,000 |
| Trois-Rivières | $310,000 | ~$10,400 | ~$82,000 | ~$69,000 |
| Saguenay | $280,000 | ~$9,400 | ~$75,000 | ~$63,000 |
How existing debt affects the income you need
| Monthly Debt | Additional Income Needed |
|---|---|
| $300 (minimum credit card payments) | +$8,200/year |
| $500 (car payment) | +$13,600/year |
| $800 (car + student loan) | +$21,800/year |
Example: Buying in Montreal ($565,000, 20% down) with a $500/month car payment requires roughly $131,600 instead of $118,000.
Quebec-specific costs and considerations
Welcome tax (droits de mutation)
Quebec’s welcome tax is calculated on tiered brackets:
| Value Range | Rate |
|---|---|
| First $58,900 | 0.5% |
| $58,901–$294,600 | 1.0% |
| $294,601–$500,000 | 1.5% |
| $500,001–$1,000,000 | 2.0% |
| Above $1,000,000 | 2.5% |
Montreal also charges a supplementary tax of 0.5% on amounts above $500,000. There is no first-time buyer exemption from the welcome tax in Quebec.
Higher income taxes, lower home prices
Quebec has the highest marginal income tax rates in Canada. A household earning $120,000 takes home less in Quebec than in Ontario or Alberta. However, this is more than offset by lower home prices — you simply need less income to qualify for a home. The net effect is that Quebec is still more affordable than Ontario for homebuyers.
Property tax rates
| City | Approximate Rate |
|---|---|
| Montreal | 0.87% |
| Quebec City | 1.07% |
| Gatineau | 1.05% |
| Sherbrooke | 1.09% |
Quebec property tax rates are moderate and comparable to the rest of Canada.
The plex advantage
Quebec — especially Montreal — has a unique stock of duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. Buying a plex and living in one unit while renting the others dramatically changes the affordability equation:
| Property | Price | Rental Income | Net Monthly Cost | Income Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condo (Montreal) | $450,000 | — | $2,850 | ~$107,000 |
| Duplex (Montreal) | $650,000 | $1,400/mo from 1 unit | $2,500 | ~$95,000 |
| Triplex (Montreal) | $800,000 | $2,800/mo from 2 units | $2,100 | ~$82,000 |
A triplex can actually require less income than a condo because the rental income offsets so much of the carrying cost. Lenders count 50–80% of rental income for qualification.
Where is the best value in Quebec?
For buyers seeking the most home for their money:
- Saguenay — Detached homes under $300,000, accessible on a $63,000 income
- Trois-Rivières — Growing city, detached homes around $340,000
- Sherbrooke — University city with strong rental demand, homes ~$370,000
- Quebec City — Provincial capital with excellent amenities, homes ~$380,000
- Gatineau — 20–30% cheaper than neighbouring Ottawa with access to federal government jobs
Strategies to buy in Quebec on a lower income
Buy a plex and house-hack
Rental income from additional units can reduce the income you need by $20,000–$40,000. Montreal and Quebec City have excellent plex inventory.
Use the FHSA
The First Home Savings Account lets you save up to $40,000 tax-free. With Quebec’s high tax rates, the tax deduction is especially valuable.
Target smaller cities
Remote work has made cities like Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, and Drummondville viable options. Detached homes under $350,000 are achievable on modest incomes.
Buy with a partner
A couple earning $60,000 each ($120,000 combined) can qualify for an average-priced home in Montreal with 20% down.
Related resources
- How Much House Can I Afford? — Calculate your maximum purchase price
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator — See what mortgage you qualify for
- Income Needed to Buy a Home in Montreal — Montreal-specific breakdown
- First-Time Home Buyer Guide — Programs and incentives
- Land Transfer Tax Calculator — Calculate your Quebec welcome tax
- Rent vs Buy in Montreal — Should you rent or buy?
- Down Payment Guide — How much do you need to save?