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TRENDS 2026

Montreal Loses 24,000 Residents Per Year: Real Estate Impact

Every year, 24,000 Montrealers migrate to the suburbs. This trend is transforming the real estate market: rising suburban prices, offset by immigration on the island. Here’s the breakdown.

📅 February 2026⏱️ 9 min read📊 ISQ + CMHC

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The urban exodus is not new, but it has accelerated since the pandemic. Remote work, cost of living, and the need for space are pushing Montreal families toward the suburbs. Here are the data and concrete impact.

📊 The Exodus by the Numbers

24,000

Departures per year

50,000+

International immigrants/yr

+26,000

Net positive for Montreal

💡 Key point: despite 24,000 departures, Montreal’s population continues to grow thanks to immigration. The demographic profile is changing: fewer families, more young professionals and immigrants.

🤔 Why Montrealers Are Leaving the Island

1. 💰 Too expensive — A single-family home at $615,000 vs $420,000 in the suburbs

2. 🏠 Need for space — House with a yard, garage, land for kids

3. 💻 Remote work — No longer need to be downtown 5 days/week

4. 🌳 Quality of life — Less noise, more nature, family communities

🏘️ Winning Suburbs — Prices & Trends

Saint-Jérôme

+8%

$380,000 median

Terrebonne

+7%

$480,000 median

Laval

+6%

$540,000 median

St-Jean-sur-R.

+9%

$360,000 median

🌍 Montreal Offsets with Immigration

International immigration maintains real estate demand in Montreal. Newcomers create strong rental demand and gradually become buyers.

✅ Positive impact

Sustained rental demand

Economic diversification

Neighbourhood revitalization

New buyers in the medium term

⚠️ Challenges

Pressure on rents

Affordable housing shortage

Changing demographic profile

Infrastructure under pressure

💡 Strategy: Sell in Montreal, Buy in the Suburbs

Many Montreal homeowners are taking advantage of rising island prices to sell and buy bigger in the suburbs, often without increasing their mortgage.

Concrete example:

🏠 Sell Montreal condo: $430,000

🏡 Buy suburban house: $450,000

✅ Result: house with yard for just +$20,000

💵 Seller calculator💳 Buyer calculator

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