How much house can you afford in Quebec?
Quebec’s average home price is $538,121 as of January 2026, up 5.5% year-over-year — one of the few provinces still seeing consistent growth. The MLS benchmark hit a record $535,000 (+7.1% YoY). The market has shifted to balanced-to-buyer’s territory with 6.6 months of supply.
Quebec affordability by region
| Region | January 2026 Avg | YoY | Income Needed (20% DP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec City | $461,034 | +4.8% | ~$110,000 |
| Provincial Average | $538,121 | +5.5% | ~$125,000 |
| Montreal CMA | $651,066 | +5.0% | ~$150,000 |
Montreal affordability by property type
Montreal property-type data — February 2026:
| Property Type | Median Price | YoY | Income Needed (20% DP) | Market Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condo | $430,000 | +2.4% | ~$102,000 | Listings up 20% — buyer leverage |
| Single-Family | $639,000 (new peak) | +6.5% | ~$142,000 | Record high price |
| Plex | $850,000 | +7.6% | ~$183,000 | Investment property |
Condo listings are 20% above the 10-year average, giving condo buyers significant leverage even as single-family prices hit record highs.
Montreal sub-market prices
| Area | Median Single-Family | vs Island of Montreal ($763,500) |
|---|---|---|
| Laval | $599,000 | 22% less |
| South Shore | $630,000 | 17% less |
| Vaudreuil-Soulanges | $637,000 | 17% less |
| Island of Montreal | $763,500 | — |
Island condo median: $470,000 vs off-island options starting under $400,000.
Quebec welcome tax (droits de mutation)
Quebec charges the droits de mutation on every purchase with no first-time buyer exemption:
| Home Price | Welcome Tax | Montreal Surcharge (3% over $500K) |
|---|---|---|
| $430,000 (condo median) | $4,248 | N/A |
| $538,121 (QC avg) | $5,867 | $1,144 |
| $639,000 (SF median) | $7,282 | $4,170 |
| $763,500 (MTL island SF) | $9,098 | $7,905 |
Plus 14.975% total sales tax (GST + QST) on new construction — a significant cost for pre-construction buyers.
Quebec vs Ontario: the affordability gap
| Factor | Quebec | Ontario | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average home price | $538,121 | $778,102 | $240,000 |
| Income needed (20% DP) | ~$125,000 | ~$165,000 | $40,000/yr |
| Land transfer tax | ~$5,867 | ~$11,847 | $5,980 |
| Total closing cost savings | — | — | ~$250,000+ |
Quebec’s prices are 31% lower than Ontario’s with comparable quality of life in Montreal vs Ottawa.
Quebec market conditions — January 2026
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average home price | $538,121 (+5.5% YoY) |
| Benchmark price | $535,000 (+7.1% YoY, record) |
| Total sales | 5,094 (-12.4% YoY) |
| Months of supply | 6.6 |
| Market condition | Balanced to buyer’s |
See the Quebec housing market report for the latest.
Tips for Quebec homebuyers
- Budget for the welcome tax — No first-time buyer exemption in Quebec. On a $639K home, it’s $7,282+
- Montreal condos are the entry point — Median $430,000, and listings are 20% above the 10-year average
- Consider off-island — Laval and the South Shore are 17–22% cheaper than the Island of Montreal
- Compare Desjardins vs national banks — Quebec’s largest credit union competes aggressively on rates
- New construction = 15% sales tax — Factor GST + QST into pre-build purchases
- Check mortgage rates — Every 0.25% matters on a $500K+ mortgage
Related calculators
- Quebec Mortgage Calculator — Estimate your monthly payment
- Quebec Mortgage Rates — Compare current rates
- Quebec Housing Market — Latest prices and trends
- Montreal Affordability — Montreal-specific analysis