Mortgage Affordability Calculator Quebec 2026
Estimate a Quebec home-buying range from household income, debt, down payment, mortgage rate and ownership costs, then account for Canada's qualification framework and Quebec transfer duties.
How much home can you afford in Quebec?
Mortgage affordability is not simply a multiple of salary. Lenders can consider mortgage payments, property taxes, heating, condo fees and other debts. Federal consumer guidance says monthly housing costs generally should not exceed 39% of gross household income (GDS), while total debt load generally should not exceed 44% (TDS).
Test your purchase against GDS/TDS, the federal mortgage stress test, minimum down payment, Quebec real-estate transfer duty (welcome tax) and other closing costs.
Estimate your home-buying range
Adjust income, down payment, rate and monthly obligations. Results update instantly.
Monthly affordability breakdown
Mortgage stress test in Quebec
At federally regulated lenders, borrowers generally qualify at the higher of 5.25% or the mortgage contract rate plus 2 percentage points. This applies to insured and uninsured mortgages under federal consumer guidance.
4.5% contract rate
4.5% + 2% = 6.5%, making 6.5% the higher qualifying rate.
3.0% contract rate
3.0% + 2% = 5.0%, so the 5.25% floor is higher.
The AffordBase calculator is a planning estimate and does not reproduce every lender underwriting rule or exception.
Minimum down payment in Quebec
| Home price | Federal minimum down payment |
|---|---|
| $500,000 or less | 5% of purchase price |
| Over $500,000 and under $1.5M | 5% of first $500K + 10% of the portion above $500K |
| $1.5M or more | 20% |
When the down payment is below 20%, mortgage loan insurance is typically required, subject to eligibility and lender requirements. Quebec also applies provincial sales tax to mortgage loan insurance premiums; federal guidance notes that this tax cannot be added to the mortgage and must be paid when the mortgage is obtained.
Quebec welcome tax: 2026 transfer-duty brackets
Quebec municipalities generally collect a real-estate transfer duty when ownership changes. For the 2026 financial year, the provincial base brackets are:
| Taxable portion | 2026 base rate |
|---|---|
| First $62,900 | 0.5% |
| $62,900.01 to $315,000 | 1.0% |
| Amount above $315,000 | 1.5% |
A municipality may set a higher rate for a portion above $500,000 within provincial limits, while Montreal has special authority to set higher rates. The tax base is generally the highest of the price paid, the consideration written in the deed, or the property's market value determined under Quebec rules.
Because the applicable rate can depend on the municipality and property value, treat the table as the provincial baseline and verify the exact municipal amount before closing.
Montreal and Quebec affordability planning
Property prices, municipal taxes, condo fees and transfer duties vary by municipality. A Montreal purchase can therefore produce a different cash-to-close requirement from a purchase elsewhere in Quebec even when the mortgage amount is identical.
For Montreal household-budget context, continue to the Montreal affordability guide. For the national qualification framework, use the Mortgage Affordability Calculator Canada.
Build the full Quebec home-buying budget
Canada Mortgage Affordability → Down Payment → Closing Costs → Take-Home Pay → Montreal Guide →
Quebec mortgage affordability FAQ
How much mortgage can I afford in Quebec?
Your range depends on gross household income, housing costs, other debts, down payment and the qualifying mortgage rate. Federal consumer guidance commonly uses a 39% GDS guideline and 44% TDS guideline.
What mortgage stress test applies in Quebec in 2026?
Federally regulated lenders generally require qualification at the higher of 5.25% or the mortgage contract rate plus 2 percentage points.
What is the minimum down payment in Quebec?
Federal minimums generally require 5% up to $500,000; 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the portion above it for homes over $500,000 and below $1.5 million; and 20% at $1.5 million or more.
What is the Quebec welcome tax in 2026?
Quebec municipalities collect real-estate transfer duties. The 2026 base brackets are 0.5% on the first $62,900, 1% from $62,900.01 to $315,000, and 1.5% above $315,000. Municipalities may set higher rates on portions above $500,000, subject to provincial rules, and Montreal has special authority.
How is Quebec transfer duty calculated?
The tax base is generally the highest of the consideration paid, the consideration stated in the transfer deed, or the property market value calculated under Quebec rules.
Is this calculator a mortgage pre-approval?
No. AffordBase is an educational planning tool. Actual lender qualification can differ based on verified income, credit, debts, property costs, insurance and underwriting.
Important
AffordBase provides educational planning estimates, not financial advice, a mortgage quote or pre-approval. Qualification depends on lender underwriting, verified income, credit, debts, property details, mortgage insurance and current rules. Confirm current lender and municipal requirements before purchasing.