QPAAB March 2026: Montreal Single-Family Trend at $560K

The median single-family home on Montreal Island settled at $560,000 in March 2026 per QPAAB, a slight +1% gain year-on-year. The contrast with the plex surge (+9%) reflects buyer demographics and supply dynamics. For the broader residential picture, also read our spring 2026 Quebec market analysis.

The Headline: $560,000

Median Montreal Island single-family: $560,000 (+1%). Transaction volume: about 1,280 sales (vs 1,220 in March 2025), +5%. Average days on market: 28 (vs 36 a year ago). Sale-to-list ratio: 99%. A healthy market without overheating.

Across greater Montreal (with the crowns), the median is $510,000 (+2%). North Shore (Laval, Terrebonne, Repentigny): $495,000 (+3%). South Shore (Longueuil, Brossard, Boucherville): $535,000 (+4%). Suburbs are rising slightly faster than the island.

Why Single-Family Stalls While Plex Surges

Three reasons. First, the single-family buyer is mainly a first-time owner-occupant or a household with kids. Their borrowing capacity is capped by salary income, which has not kept pace with rents. Second, single-family supply on the island is more stable (owners move less), capping upward pressure.

Third, some households migrate to close suburbs or further crowns (Mascouche, Saint-Bruno, Beloeil) to gain space without paying the Montreal premium. This moderate “family flight” relieves pressure on the island.

Montreal Neighbourhoods: Marked Disparities

Outremont $1.75M (+2%), Mont-Royal $1.5M (+3%), NDG $950K (+4%), Saint-Laurent $720K (+3%), Ahuntsic $680K (+2%), Rosemont $720K (+5%), Mercier $580K (+1%), Montreal-North $480K (+0.5%). High-end stagnates, gentrifying neighbourhoods (Rosemont) move slightly more.

2026 Single-Family Buyer Profile

Couples with $130,000-$180,000 household income, $60,000-$120,000 down payment, mortgage $440,000-$520,000. At 3.35% variable over 25 years, monthly payment runs $2,165-$2,558. GDS ratio sits at 32-37%, within lender norms (max 39%).

Single-Family or Plex in 2026?

For a household with kids, single-family stays relevant (space, quiet, yard). For a flexible first-time buyer, the plex offers superior returns: a $720K duplex with a $1,800/month rental unit drops your effective net payment to about $700-900/month above a $560K single-family mortgage — but you build equity on double the capital.

Q2-Q3 2026 Outlook

Montreal single-family should reach $575K by June 2026 (+1.5% vs March), then stabilize or pull back slightly into fall. A BoC cut on April 29 could moderately accelerate this trajectory (+0.5% extra).

Conclusion: Healthy, Not Overheated

For a 2026 single-family buyer, conditions are balanced: no widespread bidding (bar specific hot neighbourhoods), reasonable analysis time, still-favorable financing. Hamza Taleb, OACIQ broker at RE/MAX (438 877-8525), supports families and first-time buyers through QPAAB comparables to land the right price.