Overview
About Trois-Rivières
Trois-Rivières is positioned with geographic perfection — exactly 140km from both Montréal and Québec City on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. This midpoint has defined the city's character and shapes its contemporary appeal: a genuinely bilingual-friendly mid-size city with access to both metropolitan centres via Via Rail.
The downtown core around Rue des Forges has undergone significant revitalisation — the Vieille Prison arts complex, galleries, and a growing craft brewery scene have transformed the city. Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) anchors academic employment, and the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières draws 100,000+ annually.
Finances
Cost of Living in Trois-Rivières
$350,000
Avg Home
$470,000
Avg Detached
$1,350
1BR Rent/mo
$1,700
2BR Rent/mo
$9.10/day
CPE Childcare
$74/wk
Groceries
Trois-Rivières offers Quebec's full social programs — $9.10/day childcare, universal healthcare, subsidized education — at one of the province's lowest price points. At $350K average homes vs Montréal's $600K, with Via Rail to both cities, Trois-Rivières is increasingly attractive for remote workers and families.
Pros & Cons of Living in Trois-Rivières
✓ Pros
- $350K average homes — Montréal and QC City access at dramatically lower cost
- $9.10/day CPE childcare — Quebec's universal program
- Downtown arts revival — Rue des Forges galleries, Vieille Prison arts, craft breweries
- Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières — Formula 2 street racing, one of North America's great events
- Via Rail — direct train to Montréal (1.5 hrs) and Quebec City (1.5 hrs)
- UQTR — university anchor, research employment, student energy
✗ Cons
- French primary — less bilingual than Montréal, functional French important
- Limited private sector — economy anchored in UQTR, healthcare, government, manufacturing
- Cold winters — January average -12°C, significant snowfall
- Car needed for most areas outside downtown — transit limited in suburbs
- Still emerging — downtown revival is real but not yet complete
Where to Live
Best Neighbourhoods in Trois-Rivières
🏛️ Vieux-Trois-Rivières / Centre-Ville
Historic downtown — Rue des Forges pedestrian street, Vieille Prison cultural complex, craft breweries, St. Lawrence waterfront. Walk Score 80+. Best character in the city. Condos $280K–$500K.
⛪ Cap-de-la-Madeleine / Sainte-Marguerite
East Trois-Rivières — residential suburbs, Notre-Dame-du-Cap basilica (major pilgrimage site), newer development. $330K–$520K. Family-oriented.
🌊 Pointe-du-Lac / Sainte-Marthe-du-Cap
Western Trois-Rivières — lake access (Lac Saint-Pierre), quieter suburban character, newer homes. $320K–$500K. Popular with families wanting outdoor access.
🎓 University District (UQTR area)
North of downtown — student character, rental market, closer to UQTR. More affordable ($280K–$420K). Good for students and faculty.
Best For
Who Should Live in Trois-Rivières?
👨👩👧
Families ($9 Childcare)
💻
French Remote Workers
🎓
UQTR Community
🎨
Arts Community
Safety
🔒 Crime & Safety
78
/100
Good
Trois-Rivières is generally safe — below the Quebec provincial average for most crime categories. Residential neighbourhoods and the downtown revival area are safe. A comfortable mid-size Quebec city.
Violent Crime
Low
Property Crime
Low–Moderate
Education
🏫 School Rankings
School Board
CS Énergie / CS du Chemin-du-Roy
Childcare
$9.10/day CPE
University
UQTR
Quebec's $9.10/day CPE childcare program is available in Trois-Rivières — one of the most significant financial advantages for families with young children anywhere in Canada. CEGEP de Trois-Rivières and UQTR provide post-secondary education locally.
Economy
💼 Job Market
5.2%
Unemployment Rate
$72,000
Avg Household Income
Top Sectors
Manufacturing Healthcare Education Government Retail
Major employers: CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec, UQTR, Ville de Trois-Rivières, Kruger (paper), various manufacturers. Remote workers access Montréal employers via Via Rail.
Community
👥 Demographics
42
Median Age
$72K HHI
Median HH Income
134K
City Population
Growing
Population trend
95%+
French-speaking
Reviving
Downtown character
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — particularly for families and remote workers. $350K homes, $9.10/day CPE childcare, Via Rail to both Montréal and Québec City (1.5 hrs each), a revitalized downtown arts scene, and UQTR anchor the city. Trade-offs: primarily French-speaking, limited private sector, and cold winters.
Significantly — $350K vs Montréal's $600K average, and 1BR rent is $1,350 vs $1,900+ in Montréal. You also get Via Rail access to Montréal in 1.5 hours, meaning you can live in Trois-Rivières and access Montréal's job market and culture regularly.
Trois-Rivières is primarily French-speaking — more so than Montréal, less so than Saguenay. English is understood in tourist areas and by younger residents, but day-to-day life is conducted in French. Functional French is important for living comfortably here long-term.