Skyline of Sherbrooke
Cost of Living: 105 172,000

Sherbrooke, Canada

A bilingual university city in Quebec's Eastern Townships, known for its vibrant student life, historic architecture, and outdoor recreation.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 105

Above Average vs Canada Avg (100)

Housing Index 90

Affordable

Median Income C$55,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.5%

Job market health

Sherbrooke vs Canada Average

Cost of Living
Sherbrooke: 105
Canada Avg: 100
Housing Index
Sherbrooke: 90
Canada Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Sherbrooke: 14%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 14.0%
  • Sales Tax: 15.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: C$55,000
  • Unemployment: 5.5%
  • Population: 172,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 190/year
  • Summer High: 77°F
  • Winter Low: 10°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 4b

Housing

  • Median Home: C$400,000
  • 1BR Rent: C$1200/mo

Cost of Living

Sherbrooke's cost of living index is 105 (Canada average = 100).

CategorySherbrookeNational AverageDifference
Overall105100+5.0%
Housing90100-10.0%

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceC$400,000
Median Rent (1BR)C$1200/mo
Median Rent (2BR)C$1,500/mo
Price per Sq FtC$266

Data source: Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

C$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
C$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Sherbrooke:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityC$165
Heating & CoolingC$98Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterC$55Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)C$65Broadband average
Garbage / TrashC$35Private service
Total UtilitiesC$418Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: Statistics Canada, Canada Energy Regulator, CRTC

Remote Work Score

Sherbrooke scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
105
Rent
C$1200
Sunny Days
190
Tax
14%
Unemployment
5.5%
Climate
77°F / 10°F
Safety
2.1 homicides/100k
Population
172,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Sherbrooke has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January30°F10°F2.5"
April62°F25°F2.8"
July77°F52°F1.5"
October57°F28°F2.2"
USDA Zone 4b

Cold — cool-season crops, hardy perennials

Natural Hazards

Sherbrooke faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake High Risk

Active seismic zone with significant earthquake risk.

Wildfire High Risk

Western Canada has frequent wildfire seasons.

Blizzard High Risk

Most of Canada experiences severe winter storms and blizzards.

Avalanche High Risk

Rockies and coastal mountains with frequent avalanches.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Pacific coast with tsunami risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

River and coastal flooding.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Southern Canada experiences tornadoes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 14%
  • Sales Tax: 14.975%
  • Property Tax: ~1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.5%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-June)
Summer Break Late June to September (10 weeks)
Winter Break Late December to early January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March (1 week)

March break (1 week). CEGEP system has a different calendar.

Universities & Higher Education

2
Universities
#598
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University University of Sherbrooke

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Sherbrooke, Canada?

The cost of living index in Sherbrooke is 105, which is Higher the Canada national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Sherbrooke?

The median home price in Sherbrooke is C$400,000. The housing index is 90.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sherbrooke is approximately C$1200/mo.

Does Sherbrooke, QC have income tax?

Sherbrooke is in QC, which has an income tax rate of 14%.

What is the climate like in Sherbrooke?

Sherbrooke enjoys approximately 190 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 77°F, while winter lows can drop to around 10°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Statistics Canada, 2026
  • Housing Data: Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), 2026
  • Income & Employment: Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities Statistics Canada, Canada Energy Regulator, CRTC

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.