Higher taxes, but $8.70/day childcare and half-price housing. Is Quebec's trade-off worth it?
Top Provincial Rate
Sales Tax: 14.975% (GST+QST)
Childcare: $8.70/day
Home Price: ~$550K (Montreal)
Top Provincial Rate
Sales Tax: 13% HST
Childcare: $1,500+/month
Home Price: ~$1.1M (Toronto)
| Income Range | Provincial Rate | Combined Rate (Fed + Prov) |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $51,780 | 14% | 26.53% - 27.53% |
| $51,780 - $103,545 | 19% | 37.12% |
| $103,545 - $126,000 | 24% | 45.71% |
| Over $126,000 | 25.75% | 53.31% |
| Income Range | Provincial Rate | Combined Rate (Fed + Prov) |
|---|---|---|
| $0 - $51,446 | 5.05% | 20.05% |
| $51,446 - $102,894 | 9.15% | 29.65% |
| $102,894 - $150,000 | 11.16% | 37.16% |
| $150,000 - $220,000 | 12.16% | 43.41% |
| Over $220,000 | 13.16% | 53.53% |
Total combined federal + provincial income tax at common salary levels:
| Annual Income | Quebec Tax | Ontario Tax | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $9,441 | $7,822 | Quebec pays $1,619 more |
| $75,000 | $17,074 | $14,283 | Quebec pays $2,791 more |
| $100,000 | $25,457 | $21,694 | Quebec pays $3,763 more |
| $150,000 | $45,089 | $39,524 | Quebec pays $5,565 more |
| $200,000 | $66,744 | $61,231 | Quebec pays $5,513 more |
At $100,000 income, Quebec taxes cost:
Plus ~$1,000/year more in sales tax (14.975% vs 13%)
Quebec's subsidized daycare program (CPE - Centre de la petite enfance) charges just $8.70 per day per child for eligible families. This is a game-changer for young families.
Quebec (CPE)
$8.70/day
~$190/month per child
Ontario (Average)
$75/day
~$1,600/month per child
| Scenario | Quebec Cost | Ontario Cost | Annual Savings in QC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 child, full-time | $2,280/year | $19,200/year | $16,920 |
| 2 children, full-time | $4,560/year | $38,400/year | $33,840 |
Family with 2 kids in daycare saves:
This alone can offset $30K+ in extra Quebec taxes
| Category | Montreal | Toronto | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Home Price | $550,000 | $1,100,000 | Montreal 50% cheaper |
| 1BR Apartment Rent | $1,600/month | $2,500/month | Montreal 36% cheaper |
| Utilities (monthly) | $100 | $175 | Montreal 43% cheaper |
| Car Insurance (annual) | $700 | $2,000 | Montreal 65% cheaper |
| Overall Cost of Living | Montreal is ~25-30% cheaper overall | ||
| Category | Quebec | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Income Tax | +$3,763 | - |
| Extra Sales Tax (~$50K spending) | +$988 | - |
| Childcare Savings (2 kids) | -$33,840 | - |
| Housing Savings (rent difference) | -$10,800 | - |
| Car Insurance Savings | -$1,300 | - |
| NET ANNUAL BENEFIT | Quebec saves $41,189 | - |
| Category | Quebec | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Income Tax | +$5,565 | - |
| Extra Sales Tax (~$70K spending) | +$1,383 | - |
| Childcare Savings | $0 | - |
| Housing Savings (rent) | -$10,800 | - |
| Car Insurance Savings | -$1,300 | - |
| NET ANNUAL BENEFIT | Quebec saves $5,152 | - |
The Verdict
Quebec is financially better for most people
The lower cost of living, especially housing and childcare, typically outweighs the higher taxes—unless you earn $200K+ with no children.
Quebec's Bill 96 (2022) strengthened French language requirements:
Montreal (Downtown, West Island, NDG): Very English-friendly. You can work, shop, and socialize largely in English.
Montreal suburbs & regions: French increasingly necessary.
Quebec City & elsewhere: French essential for daily life.
For career advancement in most fields, French proficiency becomes important. Many professionals find that learning French opens doors and improves quality of life.
See your personalized tax breakdown:
Quebec Tax Calculator Ontario Tax CalculatorQuebec taxes are approximately $2,000-$6,000 higher per year depending on income. At $75,000, you'd pay about $2,800 more. At $150,000, the difference is approximately $5,500. However, Quebec's lower cost of living often more than compensates.
Quebec's CPE (Centre de la petite enfance) program offers subsidized daycare at $8.70/day for eligible families. This can save $15,000-$35,000+ per year compared to Ontario childcare costs. However, waitlists can be 1-2+ years.
Significantly cheaper. Montreal's average home price is about $550,000 vs Toronto's $1.1M. Rent, car insurance, and utilities are also much lower. Overall, Montreal is 25-30% cheaper than Toronto.
In central Montreal, you can largely function in English. However, French is increasingly important for career advancement and integration. Outside Montreal, French is essential. Bill 96 has strengthened French requirements for businesses and services.
QST (Quebec Sales Tax) is 9.975%, added to the 5% federal GST for a total of 14.975%. Ontario's HST is 13%. This means Quebec residents pay about 2% more on purchases—roughly $500-$1,000 extra per year.
Disclaimer: This comparison provides general information for educational purposes only. Tax laws and benefit programs change frequently. Childcare subsidies depend on eligibility criteria. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Data sourced from the Canada Revenue Agency, Revenu Québec, and provincial authorities as of January 2026.