Interested in buying a home? With the rising cost of living and skyrocketing home prices, this dream may seem increasingly out of reach.
Considering that the median price of a single-family home in the province of Quebec was $416,500 in 2023, it's hard to imagine that affordable homes can still exist. Is it still possible to buy a house for under $300,000 or even under $200,000? Let's take a closer look.
Here are the 10 least expensive cities to buy real estate in Quebec at the beginning of 2024, according to the province's statistical reference: the APCIQ market analysis service.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (abdallah)
1. Baie-Comeau
- Median single-family home price in 2023: $172,500 (+8%)
- Minimum down payment (5%): $8,625
- The Baie-Comeau area includes: Baie-Comeau, Ragueneau, Pointe-aux-Outardes, Chute-aux-Outardes and Pointe-Lebel.
- Population: 26,643
Baie-Comeau, located in the Côte-Nord region, boasts some of the lowest real estate prices in Quebec.
In this charming town, creativity, conviviality, boldness and integrity are the values that are promoted and reflected in every gesture of the community. On one side, you'll find vast forests. On the other, the St. Lawrence River and whales.
With its focus on sustainable development, Baie-Comeau is an affordable city with many attractions.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (LHOON)
2. Thetford Mines
- Median single-family home price in 2023: $177,000 (+5%)
- Minimum down payment (5%): $8,850
- The Thetford Mines area includes: Thetford Mines, Saint-Adrien-d'Irlande, Irlande and Saint-Joseph-de-Coleraine.
- Population: 26,684
Located in the Chaudière-Appalaches region, the town of Thetford Mines has long built its identity around the industry that led to its founding: asbestos mining. Situated at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains, Thetford Mines is also surrounded by forests and farmland.
The town's rich and diverse history makes it an interesting, yet affordable place to live.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Pierre André)
3. La Tuque
- Median single-family home price in 2023: $179,000 (+5%)
- Minimum down payment (5%): $8,950
- The La Tuque area includes: La Tuque, Coucoucache, La Bostonnais, Lac-Édouard and the Aboriginal communities of Obedjiwan and Wemotaci.
- Population: 15,038
Located in the Mauricie region, La Tuque is one of the largest cities in the province in terms of area. Many call it one of the most beautiful playgrounds in Quebec. Indeed, with its 17,000 lakes and 65 outfitters, La Tuque is the ideal destination for lovers of the outdoors, hunting and fishing.
Despite its love of nature, the town also offers its citizens a lively and dynamic urban center. The combination of nature, urban planning and low real estate prices makes La Tuque a dream town.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (jmvkrecords)
4. Matane
- Median single-family home price in 2023: $189,000 (+15%)
- Minimum down payment (5%): $9,450
- The Matane area includes: Matane, Saint-Ulrique, Sainte-Félicité, Saint-René-de-Matane, Saint-Léandre and Saint-Adelme.
- Population: 21,043
Slightly more expensive than La Tuque, Matane ranks fourth on our list of least expensive places to buy a home.
Located in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, this city is not only inexpensive but also prioritizes the quality of life for its residents. It's the perfect place for the whole family.
Nestled between the river and the mountains, Matane offers its residents and visitors many tourist attractions.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Sylvain Perron)
5. Shawinigan
- Median single-family home price in 2023: $225,000 (+7%)
- Minimum down payment (5%): $11,250
- The Shawinigan area includes: Shawinigan, Shawinigan-Sud and Saint-Boniface.
- Population: 50,717
Located in the Mauricie region, Shawinigan prioritizes economic development, family development and a love of nature. This city offers a perfect balance between urban life and nature at your fingertips, especially since it's home to La Mauricie National Park.
Choose Shawinigan for its affordable real estate prices and enjoy an urban center surrounded by nature.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Johny-le-cowboy)
6. Alma
- Median single-family home price in 2023: $230,750 (+5%)
- Minimum down payment (5%): $11,538
- The Alma area includes: Alma, Delisle, Saint-Henri-de-Taillon, and Saint-Nazaire.
- Population: 30,331
Located in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, Alma is a town with a growing tourism industry.
In addition to its affordable housing, Alma offers an environment filled with magnificent natural sites perfect for enjoying the outdoors. Whether it's touring Lac-Saint-Jean, snowmobiling, biking or berry picking, you can enjoy a variety of activities both summer and winter.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Mario Hains)
7. Saint-Georges
- Median single-family home price in 2023: $239,000 (+4%)
- Minimum down payment (5%): $11,950
- The Saint-Georges area includes: Saint-Georges, Saint-Philibert, Saint-René, and Saint-Simon-les-Mines.
- Population: 34,833
Saint-Georges is seventh on our list of least expensive cities. Known as the metropolis of Beauce, Saint-Georges is full of dynamic, welcoming citizens.
Under the slogan "Together for the Future," the city promotes sustainable economic development and an unparalleled quality of life for its citizens. In addition to values such as solidarity, tenacity, creativity and pride, Saint-Georges places the family at the heart of its development.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Kev22)
8. Sept-Îles
- Median single-family home price in 2023: $245,000 (+7%)
- Minimum down payment (5%): $12,250
- The Sept-Îles area includes: Sept-Îles, Maliotenam and the Uashat First Nation.
- Population: 28,534
Located in the Côte-Nord region, the Sept-Îles agglomeration is known for its focus on tourism. It is also an important regional, social and economic centre in Quebec.
Bordered by the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where its magnificent harbour is located, the city offers its citizens breathtaking scenery. Take advantage of the good real estate market and make your home in the third sunniest city in Quebec!
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (P199)
9. Amos
- Median single-family home price in 2023: $255,000 (+2%)
- Minimum down payment (5%): $12,750
- Population: 12,675
Described as the "Cradle of Abitibi," the town of Amos enjoys a privileged geographic location that places it at the center of the region's major transportation routes.
The town is proud of its natural wealth, the source of both its beauty and its economy. Crossed by the Harricana River and located in the heart of vast forest reserves, it offers its citizens unique access to the surrounding natural environment. It is also known for having some of the best drinking water in the world!
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Ajor933)
10. Saguenay
- Median single-family home price in 2023: $260,000 (+7%)
- Minimum down payment (5%): $13,000
- The Saguenay area includes Saguenay, Saint-Honoré, Saint-David-de-Falardeau, Saint-Fulgence, Larouche, Saint-Félix-d'Otis, Saint-Charles-de-Bourget, Saint-Rose-du-Nord and Ferland-et-Boilleau.
- Population: 161,567
Saguenay is the ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The surrounding area is a mix of farmland, vast forests and mountains. Located on Lac-Saint-Jean, the city is also close to the Parc National des Monts-Valin and the Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay.
Despite its growing population, the Saguenay metropolitan region remains a relatively affordable place to buy a home.
Why the median price?
The median price "is the value that divides a series into two equal parts [...] the median price indicates that half of the transactions were concluded at a lower price and the other half at a higher price".
By calculating property values using the median price, it is possible to obtain a realistic overview of the market, unlike the average price, which is influenced by disproportionate prices.
For example, the median price of a single-family home in the province of Quebec in 2023 was $416,500, while the average price was $474,986.
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