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) | ~$210 ($9.65/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) | ~$2,406 | ~$2,850 | N/A | ~$3,200 |
Key takeaway: Quebec’s higher income tax is partially offset by subsidized childcare ($9.65/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
| City | Avg. Home Price | Monthly Payment (5.2%, 25-yr) | Income Needed (Stress Test) | Affordable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baie-Comeau | $190,000 | ~$1,175 | ~$42,000 | ✅ Very comfortable |
| Shawinigan | $200,000 | ~$1,240 | ~$44,000 | ✅ Very comfortable |
| Saguenay | $245,000 | ~$1,520 | ~$54,000 | ✅ Comfortable |
| Trois-Rivières | $270,000 | ~$1,675 | ~$60,000 | ✅ Comfortable |
| Drummondville | $325,000 | ~$2,015 | ~$72,000 | ⚠️ Tight |
| Sherbrooke | $355,000 | ~$2,200 | ~$78,000 | ❌ Over budget |
| Montreal | $550,000 | ~$3,410 | ~$122,000 | ❌ Way over |
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 $62,900 | 0.5% |
| $62,900 to $315,000 | 1% |
| Over $315,000 | 1.5% (a municipality may charge up to 3% on the part above $500,000) |
| Home Price | Welcome Tax Payable |
|---|---|
| $200,000 (Shawinigan) | ~$1,685.50 |
| $270,000 (Trois-Rivières) | ~$2,385.50 |
| $350,000 (Drummondville) | ~$3,360.50 |
| $550,000 (Montreal, its own brackets) | ~$6,360.50 |
Note: Montreal sets its own brackets above $315,000: 2% from $552,300, 2.5% from $1,104,700, 3.5% from $2,136,500 and 4% above $3,113,000 (Montreal’s rates). The Quebec land transfer tax calculator applies them.
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
Val-d’Or (Best for High-Income Workers)
- Home prices: $200,000–$250,000
- Economy: Gold mining (Agnico Eagle, Eldorado Gold), forestry, Cree Nation partnerships, regional services
- Pros: High mining salaries ($80,000–$120,000+), very affordable housing, excellent price-to-income ratio, outdoor recreation
- Cons: Remote (530 km from Montreal), very cold winters, limited services, smaller community
- Best for: Mining workers, outdoor enthusiasts, people seeking extreme affordability with high earnings
Quebec-Specific Advantages for Homebuyers
| Advantage | Details |
|---|---|
| Subsidized childcare | $9.65/day (2026) — saves $10,000–$18,000/year per child vs. market rate |
| Public car insurance (SAAQ) | Bodily injury covered by SAAQ; private insurance for liability/property only — saves $500–$1,500/year |
| Lower university tuition | $3,000–$4,500/year for Quebec residents vs. $7,000–$9,000 elsewhere |
| Pharmacy insurance | Public drug plan for those without employer coverage |
| Parental leave (QPIP) | More generous than federal EI — up to 55 weeks combined |
| School tax rate | Low — approximately 0.10%–0.11% of assessed value |
Quebec-Specific Considerations
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Bill 96 | French-language requirements for contracts, government services, and businesses |
| Higher income tax | Quebec top rate is 25.75% (+ federal 33%) = 58.75% combined top marginal rate |
| QST on new builds | 9.975% QST applies to new construction homes (rebates available) |
| Notary system | Quebec uses notaries instead of lawyers for real estate closings — typically $1,500–$2,500 |
| Different legal system | Civil law (Code civil du Québec) vs. common law in other provinces — affects property rights, mortgages |
| School system | French public school by default; English schools require eligibility certificate |
Related Resources
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them between September 24, 2026 and October 2, 2026. How we check facts.
- LégisQuébec: Légis Québec
- montreal.ca: How property transfer duties are calculated | Ville de Montréal