Buying · 16 cities · condo or duplex 2026
One page per city, same math: the price, the cash and the real monthly cost of the median condo and duplex, once the rent comes in, in 2026.
Across the 16 cities tracked, the median duplex sells for $215,625 more than the median condo (median) and needs about $17,544 more cash. Each month, with the minimum down payment, 4.09% over 25 years, and taxes and maintenance each estimated at 1% of the price, the duplex costs $3,770 a month before rent; the median rent of the other unit ($1,682 a month) brings it down to $2,180 a month, versus $2,315 a month for the condo with fees. The owner-occupied duplex costs less than the condo in 10 of 16 cities, and less than the median house in all 16. Source: Centris (Matrix) for prices, condo fees and rents, compiled November 2, 2026.
The 16 cities, from the most advantageous duplex to the least
Monthly cost of the median condo (payment, taxes and condo fees) and of the owner-occupied median duplex after the other unit's rent, then the gap (below zero, the duplex costs less).
| City | Median condo | Median duplex | Condo a month | Median rent | Duplex after rent | Gap a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saguenay | $287,000 | $361,250 | $1,907 | $1,600 | $897 | −$1,010 |
| Trois-Rivières | $310,000 | $380,050 | $2,102 | $1,500 | $1,128 | −$974 |
| Lévis | $300,500 | $452,500 | $2,086 | $1,663 | $1,465 | −$621 |
| Quebec City | $335,000 | $543,000 | $2,390 | $1,800 | $1,940 | −$450 |
| Sherbrooke | $318,000 | $460,000 | $2,173 | $1,400 | $1,779 | −$394 |
| Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu | $374,000 | $556,000 | $2,474 | $1,620 | $2,207 | −$267 |
| Gatineau | $303,750 | $525,000 | $2,172 | $1,700 | $1,923 | −$249 |
| Granby | $315,000 | $500,000 | $2,107 | $1,520 | $1,937 | −$170 |
| Saint-Hyacinthe | $335,000 | $545,000 | $2,240 | $1,600 | $2,154 | −$86 |
| Mirabel | $449,900 | $690,000 | $2,977 | $1,775 | $2,942 | −$35 |
| Terrebonne | $382,000 | $642,900 | $2,597 | $1,800 | $2,605 | +$8 |
| Saint-Jérôme | $315,000 | $550,000 | $2,164 | $1,495 | $2,292 | +$128 |
| Longueuil | $385,000 | $696,250 | $2,624 | $1,768 | $2,990 | +$366 |
| Sainte-Thérèse | $372,500 | $677,000 | $2,534 | $1,700 | $2,930 | +$396 |
| Laval | $430,000 | $770,000 | $2,956 | $1,834 | $3,414 | +$458 |
| Montreal | $476,100 | $840,000 | $3,219 | $1,750 | $3,962 | +$743 |
What the table says
The owner-occupied duplex costs less each month than the condo in 10 of 16 cities. It is most advantageous in Saguenay ($1,010 a month less) and least advantageous in Montreal ($743 more). In 3 cities, the duplex's real cost is even lower than the median rent. The price to pay: about $17,544 more cash (median), and the role of building owner.
How to read the table
Assumptions: Centris median prices (January to September 2026) of condos and duplexes; cash = minimum down payment (5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest), QST on the CMHC premium, the city's welcome tax and fixed fees (mid-range); payment with the CMHC premium added to the loan, 25 years, 5-year fixed rate of 4.09% (scenario), compounded semi-annually; municipal and school taxes estimated at 1% of the price per year; duplex maintenance and insurance estimated at 1% of the price per year; median condo fees of condos sold over 12 months (Centris, at least 60 sales); unit rented all year at the median rent of Centris leases signed over 12 months in the city. A sitting tenant often pays less than new-lease rent. Cash is detailed in how much cash to buy a condo and how much cash to buy a plex; investor profitability in is a plex profitable.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy a condo or a duplex?
The condo needs less cash ($24,081 versus $42,199, median) and no landlord role. The owner-occupied duplex, once the rent comes in, costs less each month in 10 of 16 cities and comes with land. If you have the cash, now is the time to look at both.
My city is not listed?
We publish the 16 cities where enough condos and duplexes sell for reliable medians, with published condo fees and rents. A team broker can run the same math for any area.
Our proof, not our promises
The Loaa & Manseur team, led by Lotfi Manseur and Loaa Al Daow, is the number 1 team at RE/MAX Platine in 2024 and 2025, 6th RE/MAX team in Quebec, 15th in Canada and in the global top 50 of large residential teams according to the official RE/MAX ranking, computed on actual transactions. Its Google profile counts more than 220 reviews with a 4.9 rating. Its offices are at 55 avenue de l'Équinoxe in Brossard, one bridge from the island, and every broker's licence can be checked in the OACIQ public register. Three things to verify yourself before calling us, and to demand of any other broker.
Also available in French: version française de ce guide.
Published September 7, 2026 by the Loaa & Manseur team, the number 1 team at RE/MAX Platine in 2024 and 2025, 6th RE/MAX team in Quebec, 15th in Canada and in the global top 50 according to the official RE/MAX ranking. Tell us about your project.