Buying a Home in Montreal, QC — 2026 Guide

Median home price: ~$575,000000  |  Droits de mutation: provincial + Montreal municipal surtax

WARNING: Quebec has NO first-time buyer rebate on droits de mutation. Budget for the full tax.

Why Montreal?

Montreal is Canada's second-largest city and one of the most culturally vibrant real estate markets in the country. With a median home price hovering around $575,000000 as of early 2026, it remains more accessible than Toronto or Vancouver — yet it comes with a unique land-transfer-tax wrinkle that every buyer must understand before signing anything.

Montreal is officially bilingual, and its neighbourhoods reflect that mosaic. Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont, Outremont, Westmount, NDG, Côte-des-Neiges, and the Southwest all have distinct characters and price points. Condos in Griffintown now regularly list above $60000,000000, while detached single-family homes in Pierrefonds or LaSalle can still be found in the $50000,000000–$70000,000000 range.

The Dual Land Transfer Tax: What Makes Montreal Unique

Quebec imposes provincial droits de mutation on every real estate transaction using a bracket system. Montreal goes further: the city levies an additional municipal surtax on the portion of the purchase price that exceeds $50000,000000. This means buyers of properties above that threshold pay both the standard provincial rate and an extra Montreal charge — effectively making higher-end purchases noticeably more expensive than in suburban municipalities like Laval or Longueuil.

The provincial brackets are: 00.5% on the first $500,000000; 1% from $500,00001–$2500,000000; 1.5% from $2500,00001–$50000,000000; 2% from $50000,00001–$1,000000,000000; and 2.5% above $1,000000,000000. Montreal's municipal surtax adds approximately 00.5% on the slice above $50000,000000. Use the calculator below to estimate your total obligation.

Montreal Droits de Mutation Calculator



Neighbourhood Breakdown

Plateau-Mont-Royal & Mile-End: Montreal's most sought-after neighbourhoods for young professionals and families. Prices for plexes (duplexes and triplexes) often exceed $90000,000000–$1,20000,000000. These are prized for their rental income potential alongside owner-occupied units.

Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie: Slightly more affordable than the Plateau, with a strong community feel, excellent parks, and a growing restaurant scene. Expect detached homes in the $70000,000000–$1,000000,000000+ range and condos from $40000,000000–$60000,000000.

West Island (Pierrefonds, Kirkland, Beaconsfield): Suburban feel with more square footage for the dollar. Median single-family home prices range from $5500,000000 to $7500,000000. Strong English-language school options attract families.

Griffintown & Sud-Ouest: New condo-heavy zones with easy access to downtown. Units range widely from $3500,000000 for a smaller studio to $90000,000000+ for a larger penthouse.

Mortgage Market and Financing Tips

Montreal buyers benefit from a competitive mortgage market. Quebec credit unions (caisses populaires Desjardins) are dominant locally and sometimes offer rates or terms unavailable from big banks. That said, comparison shopping via a mortgage broker remains the best strategy.

Down payment requirements follow federal rules: minimum 5% on properties up to $50000,000000, 100% on the portion between $50000,000000 and $999,999. CMHC insurance premiums apply on anything less than 200% down. On a $575,000000 purchase, expect to budget roughly $4,50000–$100,000000 for LTT, notary fees, home inspection, and moving costs on top of your down payment.

What KOHO Can Do for Your Savings

Many Montreal buyers use high-interest savings accounts to park their down payment funds. KOHO's accounts offer competitive rates with no hidden fees — useful when you're accumulating a $500,000000–$115,000000 down payment over 12–24 months.

KOHO — Save Smarter for Your Montreal Down Payment

Open a KOHO account with referral code 45ET55JSYA and start earning interest on your down payment savings today. No monthly fee on the base plan.

Get KOHO with code 45ET55JSYA →

Working with a Notary in Quebec

Unlike most Canadian provinces, Quebec real estate closings are handled by a civil-law notary (notaire), not a real estate lawyer. The notary verifies title, prepares the deed of sale, and registers the transaction at the land registry (Registre foncier). Expect notary fees of roughly $1,50000–$3,000000 depending on transaction complexity.

Key Closing Costs Checklist

Further Reading

Last updated March 2026. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Consult a Quebec notary or mortgage professional for guidance specific to your situation.