Moving guide
Moving to Québec City: renting vs buying and cost of living in 2026
A typical two-bedroom rents for $1,611 a month and the median home is valued at $485K. Here is what it costs to rent or buy in Québec City, how that varies between neighbourhoods, and where to look first.
Cost of living and housing at a glance
- 2 bedroom rent
- $1,611 a month, new lease
- 1 bedroom rent
- $1,268 a month, new lease
- Vacancy rate
- 2.4% a tight market
- Median home value
- $485K Québec 2026 assessment roll (valued July 2023)
- Property tax
- $3,620 a year on the median home
- Government closing fees
- $5,390 on the median home
Renting or buying in Québec City
The median home in Québec City is valued at $485K. A typical two-bedroom apartment on a new lease rents for $1,611 a month, or $19,332 a year. That puts the median home at about 25.1 years of two-bedroom rent.
That ratio is only a starting point. Owning adds property tax (about $3,620 a year on the median home), one-time government closing fees of about $5,390, insurance, maintenance and, for condos, monthly fees. Renting adds none of those, but it gives you no equity and rents can rise. Whether buying makes sense depends on your deposit, your mortgage rate and how long you will stay, which this guide does not model.
What renting costs
| Apartment size | Average rent, new lease |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,113 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,268 |
| 2 bedroom | $1,611 |
| 3 bedroom | $1,889 |
Source: CMHC Rental Market Survey, Québec CMA, October 2025, privately initiated apartment buildings of three or more units. Houses, basement suites and rooms are not included, and listing prices can be higher.
The cheapest and most expensive neighbourhoods
Home values range widely inside Québec City. These are the lowest and highest medians among neighbourhoods with at least 1,500 residents.
Lowest median home values
| Neighbourhood | Median home | Renters | Walkability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Roch | $395K | 76% | 85 |
| Vieux-Moulin | $425K | 62% | 50 |
| Vanier | $440K | 73% | 59 |
| Saint-Rodrigue | $440K | 79% | 62 |
| Orsainville | $440K | 32% | 44 |
Highest median home values
| Neighbourhood | Median home | Renters | Walkability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sillery | $957K | 28% | 57 |
| Saint-Jean-Baptiste | $666K | 74% | 90 |
| Cap-Rouge | $654K | 14% | 44 |
| Saint-Louis | $602K | 53% | 59 |
| Montcalm | $595K | 59% | 84 |
Where renting is common
The share of households that rent changes a lot from one neighbourhood to the next. Renting is most common in Lairet (82%), Maizerets (80%), Saint-Rodrigue (79%), and least common in Lac-Saint-Charles (11%), Sainte-Thérèse-de-Lisieux (13%), Cap-Rouge (14%).
Getting around without a car
Across 35 neighbourhoods, the typical everyday walkability score is 50 out of 100, and 20% score 70 or more. Each guide shows the score, the transit time to the main hubs and the commute.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Québec City?
Renting is cheaper month to month. A typical two-bedroom apartment on a new lease costs about $1,611 a month, while the median home is valued at $485K, or about 25.1 years of that rent. Buying also adds property tax, closing fees, insurance and maintenance, so the right choice depends on your deposit, mortgage rate and how long you plan to stay.
How much is rent in Québec City?
Average rents for new leases are $1,113 for a studio, $1,268 for a one-bedroom, $1,611 for a two-bedroom and $1,889 for a three-bedroom, according to the CMHC Rental Market Survey of October 2025. The vacancy rate is 2.4%.
Which neighbourhoods are the most affordable in Québec City?
Among neighbourhoods with at least 1,500 residents, the lowest median home values are in Saint-Roch ($395K), Vieux-Moulin ($425K), Vanier ($440K). See the full ranking on our most affordable neighbourhoods page.
What are the closing costs when buying in Québec City?
Quebec buyers pay a tiered transfer duty (the welcome tax) to the municipality. Québec City's rate rises from 0.5% to 3%. On the median home of $485K, government fees come to about $5,390. Legal fees, title insurance and adjustments are extra.
How much is property tax in Québec City?
The 2026 combined tax rate is 0.746% of assessed value, or about $3,620 a year on the median home of $485K.
Can you live in Québec City without a car?
It depends where you live. Across 35 neighbourhoods, the typical everyday walkability score is 50 out of 100, and 20% of them score 70 or more. Check each guide for the score and for transit times to the main hubs.
Next steps
- All 35 neighbourhoods
- Match me to a neighbourhood
- Compare neighbourhoods
- Most walkable
- Most affordable
- Best for families
Home values are assessed or benchmark values, not sale prices, and rents are survey averages for the whole metro area. Figures are for general information, not financial, tax or legal advice: check current listings and talk to a mortgage professional or lawyer before you decide. Sources are on each neighbourhood guide and on the About the data page.
Spot a mistake or something we missed? Tell us about this page.