Acheter une maison est-il toujours un bon investissement ?

Non. Acheter devient rentable quand 3 conditions sont réunies : horizon de 7 ans ou plus, mise de fonds de 20 % et un ratio prix/loyer raisonnable. Sur un horizon court ou dans un marché cher, louer + investir peut battre l'achat.

Qu'est-ce que la règle du 5 % ?

Un propriétaire paie environ 5 % de la valeur de sa maison par année en coûts non récupérables (intérêts, taxes, entretien, coût d'opportunité). Si le loyer équivalent annuel est inférieur à 5 % du prix, louer est plus avantageux.

Faut-il inclure l'impôt dans la comparaison ?

La vente de la résidence principale est exempte d'impôt au Canada. Si vous investissez dans un CELI, les gains sont aussi libres d'impôt — comparaison équitable. En compte non enregistré, utilisez un rendement après impôt (ex. 4,5 % au lieu de 6 %).

Pourquoi 3 % d'entretien si ma maison n'a rien coûté en 5 ans ?

L'entretien arrive par vagues : toit, fenêtres, chauffage, cuisine. Lissé sur 30 ans, 1 à 3 % par année est la norme reconnue des planificateurs financiers canadiens.

Pourquoi pas 10 % d'appréciation immobilière ?

Les hausses de 2020-2022 étaient des anomalies pandémiques. Sur 20 ans au Québec, l'appréciation réelle est de 2,5 à 4 %. Utiliser 10 % revient à biaiser le calculateur en faveur de l'achat.

L'assurance habitation est-elle obligatoire ?

Pas légalement, mais toutes les institutions financières l'exigent pour débloquer l'hypothèque. Prime moyenne au Québec : 900 à 1 500 $/an pour une maison de 400 000 $.

Ce calculateur fonctionne-t-il pour un duplex ?

Non. Un plex génère des loyers et a une fiscalité différente (frais déductibles). Utilisez un calculateur d'investissement immobilier dédié et consultez un comptable.

Quel taux hypothécaire utiliser ?

Utilisez le taux confirmé par votre courtier hypothécaire si vous avez une offre, sinon le taux fixe 5 ans médian de la Banque du Canada. Testez plusieurs taux pour voir la sensibilité.

Mise de fonds 20 % ou moins ?

20 % évite la SCHL et baisse les paiements. 5-10 % garde du cash pour investir et maximise l'effet de levier. Règle : si vos placements rapportent plus que le taux hypothécaire + 4 %, mise faible est mathématiquement gagnante.

Ce calculateur remplace-t-il un conseiller financier ?

Non. Il donne une lecture objective mais votre décision doit intégrer profil d'investisseur, sécurité d'emploi, objectifs familiaux et fiscalité. Consultez un planificateur financier certifié (IQPF) avant de signer.

Landlord or Tenant Calculator 2026

Calculateur : Propriétaire ou locataire ?

Comparez le coût réel d’acheter vs louer sur la durée de votre choix.

🏠 Si vous achetez

Prix d’achat ($)

Mise de fonds (%)

Taux hypothécaire (% annuel)

Amortissement (années)

Taxes municipales + scolaires ($ / an)

Assurance habitation ($ / an)

Entretien annuel (% de la valeur)

Frais copropriété (condo) ($ / mois — 0 si maison)

Frais de clôture initiaux (% du prix — notaire, taxes bienvenue)

Appréciation immobilière (% / an)

🔑 Si vous louez

Loyer mensuel ($ / mois)

Assurance locataire ($ / mois)

Augmentation annuelle du loyer (% / an)

Rendement de vos placements (% / an, après impôt — ex. CELI indiciel)

💡 Principe du calculateur

Si louer coûte moins cher que posséder, la différence + la mise de fonds qui n’a pas été immobilisée est investie chaque mois au rendement indiqué.

⏱ Durée de la comparaison

Horizon (années)

Frais de vente à la sortie (% — courtier, notaire)

Inflation des charges (% / an sur taxes + entretien)

🏠 Scénario propriétaire

Paiement hypothécaire / mois—

Intérêts payés (cumulés)—

Capital remboursé—

Taxes + assurance + entretien—

Frais de clôture (initial + vente)—

Valeur de la maison (fin)—

Solde hypothèque (fin)—

Valeur nette propriétaire—

🔑 Scénario locataire

Loyer moyen / mois—

Loyer + assurance (cumulé)—

Mise de fonds investie (au départ)—

Différences mensuelles investies—

Rendement du portefeuille—

Valeur nette locataire—

Buying or renting in Quebec in 2026 is not just a matter of preference. It’s a financial calculation that depends on the purchase price, the mortgage rate, the rent in your area and—most importantly—the return you can get elsewhere with the down payment. This free calculator, based on the method popularized by François Lambert and CMHC analyses, gives you a numerical answer in 30 seconds. Assur360, an AMF-certified firm, shares this tool with its clients to help them make an informed choice.

REAL ESTATE DECISION

Is my house really a better investment than the stock market?

The calculator above uses the same logic as financial planners: it compares the net worth of the two scenarios, including hidden fees. Also ask for a home insurance quote to anchor your numbers.

Free home quote

Variables analyzed

30 s

Time for a verdict

25 years

Maximum horizon

100 %

Free and anonymous

How the calculator works

Most people compare their mortgage payment to their rent. This is a mistake. A homeowner also pays taxes, maintenance, insurance and closing costs — and his down payment could have grown elsewhere. The Assur360 calculator corrects for these biases by simulating the two scenarios over the horizon you choose on a month-by-month basis, and then compares the final net worth.

🏠

Owner’s side

We calculate the mortgage payment (principal + interest), we add municipal taxes, school taxes, maintenance (1 to 3% of the value), insurance, condo. We also increase the value of the house according to the appreciation chosen and we remove the selling costs at the exit.

🔑

Tenant side

The non-locked-in down payment is invested from the start. Every month that owning is more expensive than renting, the difference is added to the wallet. All of this grows at the return you indicate (6% is a realistic average for an index TFSA).

📊

The verdict

At the end of the horizon, we compare two net values: the value of the house – mortgage balance – selling costs on the one hand, and the value of the portfolio on the other. The winner is the one who leaves the most money in your pocket.

6 steps to a reliable result

Enter a realistic purchase price for YOUR neighborhood

A 41/2 in Montreal costs $500,000, in Thetford Mines $220,000. Consult the property assessment portal or recently sold properties on Centris before filling out.

Down payment: minimum 5% (or 20% to avoid CMHC insurance)

Below 20%, add CMHC mortgage default insurance (2.8% to 4% of the loan) to your purchase price. On $400,000 with a 10% bet, that’s about $12,000 more.

Mortgage rate: use today’s rate, not posted rate

In April 2026, 5-year fixed rates are around 4.79% to 5.49% according to the Bank of Canada and Canadian banks. Choose a median value to test.

Interview: 1.5% is prudent, 3% is the norm for financiers

François Lambert uses 3% in his simulations. The rule of thumb is recognized: 1% to 4% of the value of the house per year (roof, windows, heating, entrance, landscaping combined).

Investment returns: stay conservative

The S&P 500 has returned an average of 9.5% over 30 years, but after taxes and fees, count 5.5% to 7% net. A 60/40 portfolio (stocks/bonds): 5% to 6%. Avoid 10%+ assumptions: this is a bias in favour of renting.

Real estate appreciation: 3% is realistic, not 8%

In Quebec, the average long-term (20+ years) home appreciation is 3-4% after inflation. The highs of 2020-2022 (+15%/year) are not repeated. Stay conservative.

💡

The advice of François Lambert — and most planners

“The house as an investment is not automatically a winner. A homeowner’s real gain comes from leverage (buying $400,000 with $80,000 stake), not from price appreciation. If you can’t commit to a minimum of 7 years, renting and investing the difference will often be a winner. »

Comparison Chart: Owner vs. Renter in Quebec 2026

flexibility indexation minimum horizon

Criterion	🏠 Owner	🔑 Tenant
Cost of admission	High (bet + 2-3% fee)	Low (1-2 months rent)
Leverage	✓ 5x your stake	None
Liquidity	Low (30-90 days to sell)	High (24-hour saleable investments)
Geographic	Low	High (12 month lease)
Maintenance / unforeseen events	At your own expense (1-3%/year)	✓ Owner pays
Cost of living	✓ Fixed mortgage = protection	Rent indexed annually
Forced Discipline of Savings	✓ Principal repaid	Request for personal discipline
Expected return (long term)	3-4% real (Quebec 20 years+)	5-7% real (global index)
Recommended	7 years minimum	All horizons

*2026 indicative data — CMHC, Bank of Canada, Statistics Canada. Get your home quote in 3 minutes.

⚠ The hidden fees that 80% of buyers forget about

⚠️

These expenses can add $15,000 to $40,000 in the first year

Welcome taxes (transfer taxes): 0.5% to 2.5% of the price. Out of $400,000 in Montreal: ≈ $4,500. Notary : $1,200 to $2,000. Pre-purchase inspection : $400 to $800. CMHC insurance if down payment < 20%: 2.8% to 4% of the loan. Moving + Move-In Renovos : $5,000 to $15,000. Adjusted property taxes and year-end adjustment: variable. Title + recording : $300. Our calculator incorporates these costs via the “closing costs” field — 2% is a floor, aim for 3%.

NEXT STEP

Are you thinking about buying? Protect it.

Assur360 compares 30+ insurers in 3 minutes. Fair premium, full coverage, bilingual service.

Free home quote1-866-357-4451

When to buy and when to rent (depending on your situation)

The calculator’s verdict is a first reading. Your living situation matters as much as the numbers.

🏠 Buy if…

You stay 7 years or more in the same place · You have a stable job and a 20% down payment · You are disciplined for maintenance · You want the security of a fixed payment · The family is growing · The rent in your area is very close to the property charges.

🔑 Rent if…

Your horizon is less than 5 years · You don’t have the minimum down payment · You prioritize flexibility (career, travel) · Your rent is significantly below the property charges · You already invest rigorously (RRSP/TFSA) · You hate maintenance or live in a high-end condo.

3 concrete examples in Quebec 2026

EXAMPLE 1 — MONTREAL

Couple, condo $500,000, 5-year horizon

Down 20%, rate 5.25%, utilities $450 condo, taxes $3,600, equivalent rent $2,100/month.

Verdict: 🔑 Renting earns ≈ $35,000 (too short a time horizon to absorb the selling costs).

EXAMPLE 2 — QUEBEC

Family, house $380,000, 15-year horizon

Down 15%, rate 5.0%, taxes $3,400, maintenance 1.5%, equivalent rent $1,750/month.

Verdict: 🏠 Buy wins $≈ $80,000 (leverage + duration).

EXAMPLE 3 — THETFORD MINES

Single, house $220,000, 10-year horizon

20% Deposit, 5.15% Rate, Taxes $2,600, Equivalent Rent $950/month, 6% Yield.

Verdict: 🏠 Buying earns ≈ $45,000 (low rents but favourable price/rent ratio).

Price-to-rent ratio in Quebec’s main cities

The calculator applies to all of Quebec, but the thresholds at which buying becomes profitable vary by city. In Montreal and Laval, the price/rent gap is high: renting + investing often gains up to 10 years. In Quebec City, Lévis, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, Gatineau, Thetford Mines and Drummondville, the ratio is more favourable to buying — a $200,000 to $320,000 pays off quickly when rents are relatively low. For an informed decision, combine the calculator with an Assur360 home insurance quote : you’ll have the true annual cost of ownership.

Frequently asked questions

Is buying a house always a good investment?

No. Buying becomes a good investment when 3 conditions are met: a holding horizon of at least 7 years, a 20% down payment (to avoid CMHC premiums), and a reasonable price/rent ratio in your area. On a short horizon or in a market that is very expensive in relation to rent (e.g. Montreal, Toronto), renting + investing can beat buying. Our calculator gives you the numerical answer for your case.

What is Ben Felix’s (YouTube) 5% rule?

The 5% rule says that a homeowner pays about 5% of the value of their home per year in non-recoverable costs (mortgage interest ≈ 2%, taxes + maintenance ≈ 2%, opportunity cost of the down payment ≈ 1%). If your equivalent annual rent is less than 5% of the purchase price, renting is financially advantageous. Example: house $400,000 → $20,000/year = $1,667/month threshold. If you rent the equivalent under $1,667, rent.

Should tax be included in the comparison?

In Canada, the sale of your principal residence is exempt from capital gains tax. On the tenant side, if you invest in a TFSA, the gains are also tax-free — the comparison is fair. If you invest in a non-registered account, adjust the return downward (e.g., 6% gross → 4.5% net after tax on dividends and capital gains). Our calculator requires an “after-tax” return to avoid this bias.

Why 3% maintenance? My house has cost nothing in 5 years.

Because the interview is in waves. Roof (30 years): $15,000. Windows (25 years): $20,000. Heating/heat pump (15 years): $10,000. Paved driveway (20 years): $8,000. French Drain (30 years): $15,000. Kitchen/bathroom (25 years): $40,000. Smoothed over 30 years, that’s ≈ $3,500 per year on a $400,000 house, or 0.9%. Add in the unexpected and minor repairs, and 1.5% becomes realistic, 3% conservative for older homes.

Quebec real estate is rising by 10%/year, why not put that in place?

The 2020-2022 increases were pandemic anomalies (low rates, pent-up demand, teleworking). Over 20 years (2005-2025), the real appreciation (adjusted for inflation) in Quebec is 2.5 to 4%. Statistics Canada and CMHC confirm this figure. Using 8-10% is the same as ensuring that the calculator promotes the purchase — this is not realistic. Stay at 3%.

Is home insurance really mandatory for a homeowner?

Not legally — but all financial institutions require it as a condition of the mortgage. Without it, your lender may refuse to release the funds. Even if paid in cash, an uninsured house leaves your property exposed to a major disaster (fire, water damage, vandalism). Average premium in Quebec: $900 to $1,500/year for a $400,000 home. Compare in 3 minutes with Assur360.

Can I use this calculator for a duplex or triplex?

Partially. A plex is a game-changer: the rents received compensate for all or part of the charges, and the tax yield (deductible expenses) is different. For a plex, use dedicated tools such as real estate investment calculators and consult an accountant. Our calculator is mainly aimed at occupancy as a main residence.

Which mortgage rate should I use — the rate of my offer or a median rate?

If you are in the process of buying, use the rate confirmed by your mortgage broker. If you’re doing a general simulation, take the Bank of Canada’s median 5-year fixed rate (published weekly). Be aware that with each renewal (every 3-5 years), the rate can go up or down — try this calculator with multiple rates to test the sensitivity of your decision.

Should I put down 20% or less, according to the calculator?

It depends. 20% benefits : no CMHC insurance (savings of $10,000 to $15,000 on a $400,000), lower monthly payments, psychological cushion. 5-10% advantages : keep cash for investments (TFSAs), maximum leverage, possibility to enter the market earlier. The rule: if your investments yield more than the mortgage rate + 4% (CMHC cost amortized), a low investment is mathematically a winner. Consult a financial planner for you.

Does this calculator replace a financial advisor?

No. It gives an objective first reading to position you, but your final decision must include your investor profile, job security, family goals, risk tolerance and personal taxation. Consult a certified financial planner (IQPF) and a mortgage broker before signing an offer to purchase. Assur360 supports you with the insurance side — not with financial advice.

Why trust Assur360?

✓AMF certified firm

✓ ChAD Broker Members

✓100,000+ submissions processed

✓13 partner firms in Quebec

✓Independent — 30+ insurers compared

✓Sources: CMHC, Bank of Canada, StatCan

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Last updated: April 23, 2026

Landlord or tenant calculator 2026: should I buy or rent?