Ontario vs Quebec Tax Comparison
On an $80,000 salary in 2026, Ontario gives you $3,449 more per year in take-home pay. Here's the full breakdown.
Take-Home Pay Comparison (2026)
| Salary | Ontario | Quebec | Difference | Better In |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,843.00 | $44,657.85 | $2,185 | Ontario |
| $80,000 | $59,683.23 | $56,233.95 | $3,449 | Ontario |
| $100,000 | $73,553.23 | $68,810.45 | $4,743 | Ontario |
Assumes employed, no RRSP contributions, no student loan. Difference = Ontario take-home minus Quebec.
Full Breakdown — $80,000 Salary (2026)
| Ontario | Quebec | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $80,000.00 | $80,000.00 | — |
| Federal Tax | $10,292.73 | $8,594.43 | $1,698.30 |
| Provincial Tax | $4,454.52 | $9,829.47 | -$5,374.95 |
| CPP | $4,446.45 | $4,446.45 | — |
| EI | $1,123.07 | $895.70 | $227.37 |
| Total Deductions | $20,316.77 | $23,766.05 | -$3,449.28 |
| Take-Home Pay | $59,683.23 | $56,233.95 | +$3,449.28 |
| Effective Rate | 25.0% | 30.0% | -5.0pp |
| Monthly Take-Home | $4,973.60 | $4,686.16 | +$287.44 |
Difference column shows Ontario minus Quebec. Green = Ontario is better.
Provincial Tax Brackets (2026)
Ontario (top rate 13.16%)
| Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $53,891 | 5.1% |
| $53,891 – $107,785 | 9.2% |
| $107,785 – $150,000 | 11.2% |
| $150,000 – $220,000 | 12.2% |
| $220,000 – No limit | 13.2% |
BPA: $12,989
Quebec (top rate 25.75%)
| Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $54,345 | 14.0% |
| $54,345 – $108,680 | 19.0% |
| $108,680 – $132,245 | 24.0% |
| $132,245 – No limit | 25.8% |
BPA: $18,952
Why the Difference?
Ontario has 5 provincial tax brackets with a top rate of 13.2%, while Quebec has 4 brackets with a top rate of 25.8%. Quebec has a significantly higher basic personal amount ($18,952 vs $12,989), which means more income is shielded from provincial tax. Quebec residents pay a lower EI rate (1.31% vs 1.63%) but contribute to QPIP (0.494%). Quebec also has a 16.5% federal tax abatement not reflected in this calculator. Federal tax and CPP are identical in both provinces. The difference comes entirely from provincial income tax rates and credits.
Your tax province is determined by where you are resident on December 31 of the tax year — not where your employer is based. If you move mid-year, your new province’s rates apply to your entire year’s income.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ontario or Quebec better for taxes?
At an $80,000 salary in 2026, Ontario gives you $3,449 more in annual take-home pay. Ontario has a top provincial rate of 13.16% while Quebec's is 25.75%. The exact savings depend on your income level.
How much more tax do you pay in Quebec vs Ontario?
On an $80,000 salary in 2026, Quebec residents pay approximately $3,449 more in total deductions (income tax + CPP + EI) per year compared to Ontario. This difference is primarily driven by provincial income tax rates.
Is CPP the same in every province?
Yes. The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a federal program with uniform contribution rates across all provinces, including Quebec which uses the equivalent Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) at the same rate. CPP/QPP does not contribute to interprovincial tax differences.
What determines my tax province — where I live or where I work?
Your province of residence on December 31 determines which provincial tax rates apply to your entire year's income. It does not matter where your employer is located or where you physically work. If you move provinces during the year, your new province's rates apply to all income earned that calendar year.
Related Province Comparisons
Related Tools
- Compare All 13 Provinces — Interactive calculator ranking every province by take-home pay.
- Moving Province Calculator — See exactly how much you’d save moving between two provinces.
- Compare from Ontario — See how Ontario ranks against all provinces.
- Compare from Quebec — See how Quebec ranks against all provinces.
- Income Tax Calculator — Full income tax breakdown by bracket.
Sources
Last updated March 2026. Reflects 2026 federal and provincial tax rates. Assumes employed, no RRSP, no student loan.