Buying a House Cost in Montreal (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedBuying a house in Montréal usually means a purchase price in the mid-hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus several thousand to tens of thousands more in closing costs. A widely used industry benchmark from the Canadian Real Estate Association shows the median sale price for a single-family home in the Montréal CMA at $625,000 in July 2025, while the Québec land transfer tax and mortgage-insurance rules can materially raise the total cash needed.
Overview
In Montréal, the headline cost of buying a house is the purchase price, but buyers also need to budget for transfer taxes, inspection, notary fees, appraisal and moving costs. For market pricing, one of the clearest public benchmarks is the Canadian Real Estate Association’s statistics for the Montréal census metropolitan area (CMA), which reported a median sale price of $625,000 for single-family homes in July 2025. Condominiums and plexes differ, and neighbourhood has a major effect: central and highly sought-after districts tend to command much more than outer-borough and suburban areas within the wider CMA. If you are financing with a high-ratio mortgage, you may also need to pay mortgage default insurance, with premium rates set nationally by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In Québec, buyers generally complete the transaction through a notary rather than a lawyer, which shapes closing costs compared with some other provinces. Montréal also applies a municipal land transfer tax, often called the “welcome tax”, using a progressive schedule based on property value. Because house prices and mortgage rates move over time, any budgeting should combine current listing or sales data with up-to-date tax and financing calculations before making an offer.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price - single-family home, Montréal CMA(per property) Montréal census metropolitan area, July 2025 median price for single-family homes. | C$625,000 – C$625,000 | Verified from source |
| Land transfer tax rate in Montréal(share of taxable value) Progressive rates apply by value band; the amount depends on the purchase price. | ~C$0.01 – C$0.05 | Estimated range |
| Mortgage default insurance premium(share of mortgage amount) Typical premium rates for down payments below 20%; exact rate depends on loan-to-value. | C$0.03 – C$0.04 | Verified from source |
| Home inspection(per inspection) Estimated range based on typical market rates for residential inspections in major Canadian cities including Montréal. | ~C$500 – C$900 | Estimated range |
| Notary and closing paperwork(per purchase) Estimated range based on typical Québec residential purchase notary fees and disbursements. | ~C$1,200 – C$2,500 | Estimated range |
| Appraisal(per appraisal) Estimated range based on typical lender-requested residential appraisal costs in Montréal and comparable Canadian urban markets. | ~C$400 – C$800 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Purchase price
- Land transfer tax
- Notary fees
- Inspection
- Appraisal if required by lender
- Mortgage insurance premium if applicable
Regulator / licensing: Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ)
Variants & Configurations
How Fees Work
Total buyer cost is usually the purchase price plus one-off closing costs. Ongoing ownership costs such as municipal taxes, school taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance are separate.
Factors Affecting Price
- Property type and size: detached house, semi-detached, townhouse and plexes are priced differently.
- Neighbourhood and proximity to central districts, metro access and schools.
- Market conditions, including mortgage rates, inventory and competition between buyers.
- Down payment size, because putting less than 20% down can trigger mortgage default insurance.
- Closing cost structure in Québec, especially Montréal land transfer tax and notary fees.
Local Context
In Montréal, buyers should distinguish between the city itself and the wider Montréal CMA, because published market statistics often cover the broader metro area. Québec transactions are normally finalised by a notary, not a solicitor in the English sense. Land transfer tax is a major local cost and is paid by the buyer after purchase. Ongoing costs such as municipal and school taxes, home insurance, heating and repairs are not part of the purchase price but are important in affordability planning.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in Canadian dollars. Taxes and fees are usually quoted before any financing costs unless stated otherwise.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Canadian Real Estate Association - National Statistics · industry
Median sale price for single-family homes in the Montréal CMA.
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation - Mortgage loan insurance for consumers · government
Official mortgage default insurance premium ranges and applicability.
- OACIQ · official
Québec real-estate brokerage regulator relevant to property transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical price of a house in Montréal?+
A strong public benchmark is the median sale price for a single-family home in the Montréal CMA: $625,000 in July 2025 according to CREA. Actual prices vary sharply by borough, suburb, property condition and lot size.
How much should I budget for closing costs in Montréal?+
Beyond the down payment, buyers commonly need money for Montréal land transfer tax, notary fees, inspection and possibly appraisal. For a mid-priced home, these can easily add several thousand dollars, with land transfer tax often being the largest single closing item.
Is there a 'welcome tax' in Montréal?+
Yes. Montréal charges a property transfer tax, often called the welcome tax, on a progressive scale based on the purchase price or taxable value. The city publishes the current rates and calculation method.
Do I need a lawyer or a notary in Québec?+
In Québec, residential purchases are generally completed before a notary, who handles title checks, deed preparation and registration. This is why notary fees are a standard buying cost in Montréal.
How does the down payment affect the total cost?+
If your down payment is under 20%, your lender will generally require mortgage default insurance. CMHC premium rates vary by loan-to-value ratio, so a smaller down payment can noticeably increase the financed cost.
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