You dream of buying a home, but with the rising cost of living and the sharp increase in real estate prices, this goal may seem increasingly out of reach. For many households, homeownership now appears to be a major challenge.
Yet some Quebec cities still offer attractive opportunities, with prices well below the provincial average. This article presents an overview of the 10 least expensive cities for purchasing a residential property in Quebec at the beginning of 2026, based on data from the APCIQ’s Residential Barometer, the leading reference for real estate statistics in the province.
In brief
- It is still possible to buy a budget friendly home in Quebec for under $300,000, and even around $200,000, in several regions in 2026.
- The most affordable cities are mainly located in Mauricie, the Côte-Nord, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Centre-du-Québec.
- La Tuque, Matane, and Baie-Comeau are among the least expensive real estate markets in the province based on the median price of single-family homes.
- The median price was used to better reflect market reality and limit the influence of atypical transactions.
- The cities presented offer an appealing balance between affordability, quality of life, and proximity to nature.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Pierre André)
1. La Tuque
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $200,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $10,000
- The La Tuque agglomeration includes: La Tuque, Coucoucache, La Bostonnais, Lac-Édouard, and the Indigenous communities of Obedjiwan and Wemotaci.
- Population (2021): 11,129
Located in Mauricie, La Tuque is one of the largest cities in Quebec in terms of land area. Often described as one of the province’s largest playgrounds, it stands out for its exceptional natural environment, with thousands of lakes and numerous outfitting operations popular with outdoor, hunting, and fishing enthusiasts.
Despite this strong presence of nature, La Tuque also offers an active and well-structured urban centre. By combining an outdoor-oriented lifestyle, local services, and some of the lowest real estate prices in Quebec, the municipality represents an attractive option for those seeking affordable homeownership.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (jmvkrecords)
2. Matane
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $240,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $12,000
- The Matane agglomeration includes: Matane, Saint-Ulrique, Sainte-Félicité, Saint-René-de-Matane, Saint-Léandre, and Saint-Adelme.
- Population (2021): 13,987
Slightly more expensive than La Tuque, the Matane agglomeration ranks second among the cheapest cities to buy a home in Quebec. Located in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, the city focuses on residents’ quality of life, making it an attractive living environment for families.
Between the St. Lawrence River and the mountains, Matane offers a distinctive natural setting along with several tourists and recreational attractions accessible year-round. This combination of affordability and lifestyle helps maintain an accessible and sought-after real estate market.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (abdallah)
3. Baie-Comeau
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $250,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $12,500
- The Baie-Comeau agglomeration includes: Baie-Comeau, Ragueneau, Pointe-aux-Outardes, Chute-aux-Outardes, and Pointe-Lebel.
- Population (2021): 20,687
For another consecutive year, Baie-Comeau ranks among the cities where real estate prices remain the lowest in Quebec. Located on the Côte-Nord, the municipality offers a lifestyle defined by its proximity to nature and the St. Lawrence River.
The city promotes values such as creativity, friendliness, boldness, and integrity, which are reflected in its development and community life. Surrounded by vast forests and bordered by the river, Baie-Comeau also allows residents to observe marine wildlife, including whales, while emphasizing sustainable development initiatives. Affordable in terms of housing, it remains rich in attractions and quality of life.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (LHOON)
4. Thetford Mines
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $252,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $12,600
- The Thetford Mines agglomeration includes: Thetford Mines, Saint-Adrien-d’Irlande, Irlande, and Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine.
- Population (2021): 26,072
Located in Chaudière-Appalaches, Thetford Mines long built its identity around the industry that shaped its founding—asbestos mining. This industrial history has profoundly influenced the city’s development and character.
Nestled at the foothills of the Appalachians and surrounded by vast forested and agricultural areas, the municipality also benefits from a distinctive natural environment. The richness and diversity of its heritage, combined with still-affordable real estate prices, make Thetford Mines an appealing option for those wishing to settle in an accessible community closely tied to its territory.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Kev22)
5. Sept-Îles
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $292,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $14,600
- The Sept-Îles agglomeration includes: Sept-Îles, Maliotenam, and the Indigenous community of Uashat.
- Population (2021): 24,569
Located on the Côte-Nord, the Sept-Îles agglomeration is known for its tourist appeal as well as its role as a regional hub socially and economically. The city plays a central role in regional development and service delivery.
Bordered by the Gulf of St. Lawrence and home to an important port, Sept-Îles offers spectacular scenery to its residents. Combining a still-accessible real estate market with some of the highest sunshine levels in Quebec, the city represents an attractive option for those seeking a distinctive lifestyle at a reasonable price.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Johny-le-cowboy)
6. Alma
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $293,500
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $14,675
- The Alma agglomeration includes: Alma, Delisle, Saint-Henri-de-Taillon, and Saint-Nazaire.
- Population (2021): 30,331
Located in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Alma stands out for its rapidly growing tourism industry. The city benefits from a rich natural environment that attracts both residents and visitors.
In addition to offering affordably priced properties, Alma provides privileged access to numerous outdoor activity sites. Cycling around Lac-Saint-Jean, snowmobiling, biking, and berry picking are among the year-round activities that contribute to the region’s sought-after quality of life.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Sylvain Perron)
7. Shawinigan
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $295,750
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $14,788
- The Shawinigan agglomeration includes: Shawinigan, Shawinigan-Sud, and Saint-Boniface.
- Population (2021): 49,620
Located in Mauricie, Shawinigan focuses on economic development, family quality of life, and the enhancement of its natural environment. The city offers a desirable balance between a well-established urban centre and direct access to nature.
Its proximity to La Mauricie National Park is a major asset, providing residents with a wide range of outdoor activities. Combined with still-affordable real estate prices, these elements make Shawinigan an attractive option for those wishing to settle in an urban setting surrounded by nature.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (p199)
8. Amos
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $310,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $15,500
- Population (2021): 12,675
Nicknamed the cradle of Abitibi, the city of Amos enjoys a strategic geographic location at the heart of the region’s main transportation routes. This central position contributes to its structuring role within the territory.
Proud of its natural wealth, Amos draws much of its identity and development from its environment. Crossed by the Harricana River and surrounded by vast forest reserves, the city offers privileged access to nature. It is also known for the exceptional quality of its drinking water, an added benefit for residents.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (SocrateMtl)
9. Victoriaville
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $327,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $16,350
- The Victoriaville agglomeration includes: Saint-Valère, Victoriaville, Saint-Christophe-d’Arthabaska, and Chesterville.
- Population (2021): 52,936
Located in Centre-du-Québec, Victoriaville stands out for its economic dynamism and commitment to sustainable development. The city benefits from an active urban centre, supported by a well-established community life and diverse infrastructure.
Recognized for its accessibility and quality of life, Victoriaville attracts both families and workers seeking a balanced environment. Its real estate market, while higher than that of the previous cities in the ranking, remains among the most affordable at the provincial level.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Félix Mathieu-Bégin)
10. Sainte-Marie
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $327,500
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $16,375
- Population (2021): 13,134
Located in Chaudière-Appalaches, Sainte-Marie is a small town that benefits from a strategic location between the major urban centres of The City of Quebec and the Beauce region. The city offers a peaceful living environment while providing access to nearby services and an active economic fabric.
Appreciated for its family-friendly character and human-scale environment, Sainte-Marie appeals through its balance between tranquility and accessibility. These assets, combined with a still relatively affordable real estate market, explain its presence in this ranking.
Why use the median price rather than the average price?
The prices presented in this article are based on the median price of properties sold, rather than the average price. This choice provides a more representative picture of the real estate market.
The median price corresponds to the value that divides transactions into two equal parts: half of the sales occur below this price, while the other half close above it. In contrast, the average price can be influenced by a few exceptionally high transactions, which tends to distort overall perception.
By using the median price, it becomes easier to compare real estate markets and assess the true level of accessibility to homeownership, particularly in a context where price gaps can be significant from one region to another.
Looking to buy a home in one of those cities?
XpertSource.com can help you find a real estate expert. When you tell us about your project, we put you in touch with qualified resources for free. Simply fill out our form (it only takes a few minutes) and we will connect you with professionals.