You are looking to buy a home and you probably already have a fairly clear idea of the city or region where you would like to settle. However, with the sustained rise in real estate prices observed across Quebec in recent years, the search for a property can quickly become more complex than anticipated.
Before going any further in your process, it may be useful to check whether the desired city is among the most expensive real estate markets in the province. To help clarify things, this article presents a ranking of the 10 most expensive cities for purchasing a residential property in Quebec in 2026, based on data from the APCIQ’s Residential Barometer, an essential reference for real estate statistics in Quebec.
Without further ado, here is the ranking of the 10 Quebec municipalities where the median price of single-family homes is the highest this year.
In brief
- Montreal remains the most expensive place to live in Quebec in 2026, with a median price of $630,000 for a single-family home, despite a slight price correction since the pandemic period.
- The Laurentians dominates the ranking, with several municipalities among the most expensive, notably Saint-Sauveur, Mont-Tremblant, Sainte-Adèle, and Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, due to their tourist appeal and natural setting.
- The median price was preferred over the average price, as it more accurately reflects market reality and limits the impact of exceptionally high transactions.
- Proximity to major urban centres and economic hubs, particularly Montreal, Ottawa, and Montérégie, directly contributes to rising property values in several cities in the ranking.
- The minimum down payment increases significantly when the purchase price exceeds $500,000, which represents a major challenge for buyers in Quebec’s most expensive markets.
1. Montreal
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $630,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $31,500
- The Montreal metropolitan area includes: the Island of Montreal, Laval, the North Shore, the South Shore, and Vaudreuil-Soulanges.
- Population (2021): 1,762,949
Unsurprisingly, Montreal ranks first in this list. The metropolis remains one of the most expensive real in terms of housing costs province. As Quebec’s largest urban centre, Montreal stands out for the richness and diversity of its neighbourhoods, each offering its own atmosphere and lifestyle. A multicultural, dynamic, and vibrant city, it offers residents a wide range of services, infrastructure, and opportunities, both professionally and culturally.
With numerous tourist attractions and the most developed public transit network in the province, Montreal retains strong appeal. These characteristics largely explain why access to homeownership there remains more expensive than in most other Quebec cities.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Orbitale)
2. Saint-Sauveur
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $618,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $30,900
- The Saint-Sauveur agglomeration includes: Saint-Sauveur, Piedmont, Prévost, Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs, Morin-Heights, and Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard.
- Population (2021): 11,580
Located in the heart of the Laurentians, Saint-Sauveur is a popular destination near the Montreal metropolitan area. Renowned for its tourist offerings and natural setting, the city attracts both permanent residents and tourists, which directly contributes to pressure on its real estate market.
Very popular with winter sports enthusiasts, particularly thanks to its ski resorts, Saint-Sauveur ranks as the second most expensive city for purchasing a property in Quebec. Its lively downtown offers a variety of restaurants, shops, and activities accessible year-round.
Between hiking trails, outdoor facilities, and iconic attractions such as Sommet Saint-Sauveu, which hosts both winter sports and the province’s largest mountain water park, the municipality offers a sought-after balance between urban life and nature.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Slava Ivanov)
3. Mont-Tremblant
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $559,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $27,950
- The Mont-Tremblant agglomeration includes: Mont-Tremblant, Saint-Faustin–Lac-Carré, and Lac-Tremblant-Nord.
- Population (2021): 10,992
Located in the Laurentians, Mont-Tremblant is a well-known Quebec vacation destination, both provincially and internationally. As a tourist-oriented city, it offers a dynamic and lively atmosphere throughout the year, in both summer and winter.
Its extensive network of hiking trails, renowned ski mountain, and exceptional natural environment strongly contribute to its appeal. This combination of outdoor activities, tourism, and quality of life explains why Mont-Tremblant is among the cities where purchasing a property remains one of the most expensive in Quebec.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (François Bianco)
4. Sainte-Adèle
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $525,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $26,250
- The Sainte-Adèle agglomeration includes: Sainte-Adèle, Val-Morin, Val-David, Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson, and Estérel.
- Population (2021): 14,010
Sainte-Adèle stands out for the balance it offers between nature and culture. Located in the heart of the Laurentians, it provides access to more than 200 kilometres of trails dedicated to hiking and mountain biking, making it a prime location for outdoor enthusiasts.
Alongside its natural attractions, the municipality distinguishes itself through a strong cultural life. Cinema, visual arts, and summer theatre contribute to its unique identity. This distinctive character, combined with a sought-after living environment, explains why the local real estate market is expensive.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Louis-Philippe Rouselle-Brosseau)
5. Granby
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $499,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $24,950
- The Granby agglomeration includes: Granby, Bromont, Saint-Alphonse-de-Granby, Saint-Paul-d’Abbotsford, and Roxton Pond.
- Population (2021): 69,025
Primarily known as the home of the Granby Zoo, the city also stands out for the quality of life it offers its residents. Its dynamism is based on a well-developed cultural and community life, supported by a lively and constantly evolving urban centre.
Located in the Eastern Townships, Granby offers an environment that is both active and family-oriented. Although its real estate market is relatively expensive, the city remains attractive thanks to its balance of services, activities, and living environment, which helps sustain strong residential demand.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Andrevruas)
6. Gatineau
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $485,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $24,250
- The Gatineau metropolitan area (Quebec portion) includes: Gatineau, Bowman, Cantley, Chelsea, Denholm, La Pêche, L’Ange-Gardien, Lochaber, Lochaber-Partie-Ouest, Mayo, Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, Pontiac, Thurso, Val-des-Bois, and Val-des-Monts.
- Population (2022): 292,524
Located in the Outaouais region on the north shore of the Ottawa River, Gatineau is a major urban centre in Quebec. It is an integral part of the National Capital Region, with Ottawa located directly across the river.
This proximity to the federal capital gives Gatineau a dynamic and attractive character, but also a more expensive real estate market. The city hosts numerous cultural events, shows, and festivals that enliven the area throughout the year.
Despite a well-developed downtown core, Gatineau also offers privileged access to nature (forests, hills, hiking and cross-country ski trails), not to mention its extensive cycling network, which contributes to the quality of life sought by its residents.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Cantons-de-l'Est)
7. Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $480,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $24,000
- Population (2021): 11,211
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts ranks among the most expensive cities for purchasing a home in Quebec and represents the fourth Laurentian municipality to appear in this ranking.
The city stands out for the richness of its landscapes and a particularly sought-after natural environment. Its proximity to water and mountains, combined with the presence of Lac des Sables at the heart of downtown, makes it an attractive place to live for many households, as well as for tourists.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Veillg1)
8. Saint-Hyacinthe
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $479,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $23,950
- The Saint-Hyacinthe agglomeration includes: Saint-Hyacinthe, Saint-Simon, and Saint-Dominique.
- Population (2024): 60,847
Located in Montérégie, the city of Saint-Hyacinthe is recognized as a true land of innovation. A university town, it hosts several well-regarded educational programs and institutions, making it an important hub in various sectors of activity.
Driven by a vision focused on research and sustainable development, Saint-Hyacinthe also stands out for its commitment to green initiatives. Designated as a food technopole, it is Quebec’s main agricultural production zone, a positioning that contributes to its attractiveness and the value of its real estate market.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Normand Lemieux)
9. Sherbrooke
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $465,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $23,250
- The Sherbrooke agglomeration includes: Brompton–Rock Forest–Saint-Élie–Deauville, Fleurimont, Lennoxville, and Les Nations.
- Population (2022): 175,684
In ninth position in this ranking is Sherbrooke, the sixth-largest municipality in Quebec. Located in the Eastern Townships at the confluence of the Magog and Saint-François rivers, the city is an important cultural, economic, and institutional centre.
Dynamic and prosperous, Sherbrooke offers a recognized quality of life to its residents. In 2022, it was also distinguished by being among the Canadian cities where life is considered most enjoyable, a factor that contributes to the appeal and value of its real estate market.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Cantons-de-l'Est)
10. Salaberry-de-Valleyfield
- Median price of a single-family home in December 2025: $455,000
- Minimum down payment (5%)*: $22,750
- Population (2021): 42,787
Located in Montérégie, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield stands out for its strategic location and its water-focused living environment. Bordered by Lake Saint-François and crossed by an extensive network of canals, the city benefits from a unique identity in Quebec.
Its lively downtown, green spaces, recreational and cultural infrastructure, as well as its proximity to the Montreal metropolitan area, contribute to its residential appeal. This combination of accessibility, quality of life, and distinctive environment explains why Salaberry-de-Valleyfield is among the cities where property prices remain high.
Why median price instead of average price?
The prices quoted in this article are based on the median price of the properties sold, not their average price. Why do we do this? Simply because the median price is a value that "divides a series into two equal parts". In other words, it indicates that half of the transactions were at a lower price and the other half were at a higher price.
The median price thus provides a realistic view of the market, unlike the average price, which is influenced by disproportionate prices.
This explains why the median price of a single-family home in the province of Quebec was $450,000 in 2023, while the average price was $512,608.
When the purchase price is greater than $500,000 but less than $1,000,000, the minimum down payment required is:
- 5% on the first $500,000.
- 10% on the surplus.
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