Buying · 16 cities · salary for a duplex 2026
One page per city, same math: the minimum household income to buy and live in the median duplex, with the other unit's rent counted, next to the median house, in 2026.
Across the 16 cities tracked, the median duplex ($547,500 at the median) takes a gross household income of $88,100 at the median to buy and live in with the minimum down payment, because CMHC lets lenders add up to 100% of the other unit's rent to income (median rent $1,682 a month). Without the rent, you would need $124,000; with a stricter lender counting 50% of the rent, $114,750. The median house ($527,500) takes $119,750. Under the CMHC rule, the duplex takes less income than the house in 16 of 16 cities; under the stricter rule, in 12. Math: 6.09% stress test, 39% GDS, 25 years, no other debts. Source: Centris (Matrix) for prices and rents, CMHC for the rule, compiled November 3, 2026.
The 16 cities, from the most accessible duplex to the most demanding
Minimum gross household income for the owner-occupied median duplex, without the rent and then under the CMHC rule, next to the median house (below zero, the duplex takes less income).
| City | Median duplex | Median rent | Income without rent | Income with rent (CMHC) | House income | Duplex minus house |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saguenay | $361,250 | $1,600 a month | $83,200 | $51,700 | $84,200 | -$32,500 |
| Trois-Rivières | $380,050 | $1,500 a month | $87,400 | $56,500 | $94,000 | -$37,500 |
| Lévis | $452,500 | $1,663 a month | $103,400 | $68,800 | $100,700 | -$31,900 |
| Sherbrooke | $460,000 | $1,400 a month | $105,100 | $73,400 | $104,800 | -$31,400 |
| Granby | $500,000 | $1,520 a month | $114,000 | $79,800 | $105,700 | -$25,900 |
| Gatineau | $525,000 | $1,700 a month | $119,200 | $82,300 | $111,700 | -$29,400 |
| Quebec City | $543,000 | $1,800 a month | $123,100 | $84,500 | $109,500 | -$25,000 |
| Saint-Hyacinthe | $545,000 | $1,600 a month | $123,500 | $87,200 | $115,500 | -$28,300 |
| Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu | $556,000 | $1,620 a month | $125,800 | $89,000 | $130,200 | -$41,200 |
| Saint-Jérôme | $550,000 | $1,495 a month | $124,500 | $89,400 | $124,000 | -$34,600 |
| Terrebonne | $642,900 | $1,800 a month | $144,200 | $103,000 | $134,900 | -$31,900 |
| Sainte-Thérèse | $677,000 | $1,700 a month | $151,400 | $110,600 | $145,700 | -$35,100 |
| Mirabel | $690,000 | $1,775 a month | $154,100 | $112,100 | $145,700 | -$33,600 |
| Longueuil | $696,250 | $1,768 a month | $155,500 | $113,300 | $135,500 | -$22,200 |
| Laval | $770,000 | $1,834 a month | $171,100 | $126,200 | $141,500 | -$15,300 |
| Montreal | $840,000 | $1,750 a month | $185,900 | $140,200 | $167,900 | -$27,700 |
What the table says
With the rent counted as CMHC allows, the owner-occupied duplex takes less income than the median house in 16 of 16 cities, with a median gap of $31,650. It is most accessible in Saguenay ($51,700 of household income) and most demanding in Montreal ($140,200). Even with a stricter lender counting only 50% of the rent, the duplex stays more accessible than the house in 12 cities. The rent takes $36,850 off the required income at the median.
How to read the table
Rule: for an owner-occupied duplex, CMHC lets lenders add up to 100% of the other unit's gross rent to household income, and the property's taxes and heating may be left out of the calculation. Assumptions: Centris median prices of duplexes and single-family houses (January to September 2026); minimum down payment (5% of the first $500,000 and 10% of the rest) with the CMHC premium added to the loan; 25 years; stress test at the higher of 5.25% or the rate plus 2 points, i.e. 6.09% for a 4.09% rate; gross debt service (GDS) ratio of at most 39%; no other debts (car, cards, student loans); rent = median rent of Centris leases signed over 12 months in the city; house: taxes estimated at 1% of the price and heating at $1,200 a year counted. Lenders and insurers do not all apply the same rule, and your other debts reduce your capacity. The cash is broken down in how much money to buy a plex; the real monthly cost in house or duplex and condo or duplex.
Frequently asked questions
What salary to buy a duplex in Quebec?
At the median of the 16 cities, about $88,100 of gross household income for the owner-occupied median duplex with the minimum down payment, rent counted. That is $31,650 less than for the median house ($119,750).
My city is not listed?
We publish the 16 cities where enough duplexes sell for a reliable median price, with published 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.