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What is the Cost of Living In Montreal in 2023?
If Montreal is on your list of places to consider moving in 2022, you’ll need to save this post, so you know the cost of living in Montreal!
Thinking about relocating can be overwhelming, especially if you are trying to compile all the research you’ll need to take care of your finances by yourself. Let’s take some of the stress out of this and break down every last thing you’ll need to think about as you live in Montreal.
From necessities like food and rent to fun things like heading to the cineplex, every penny we’ll be accounted for.
Let’s talk all about the cost of living in Montreal in 2022!
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Cost of Living in Montreal [2022]
As you are doing this research, your main question – more than likely is – is Montreal expensive?
Let’s break down each of the largest costs you’ll have so you know the answer to this question within the next few minutes!
Overall, it is more affordable than its western neighbors, so if you are looking to spend a little less on a Canadian experience, this may be the city for you!
Housing Costs
Rent
All numbers here have been recorded according to Zumper.com’s estimates as of mid-October, 2022.
| Apartment Type (# of bedrooms) | Average Rental Cost Per Month |
| Studio | $1,134 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,466 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,940 |
| 3-bedroom | $2,493 |
| 4-bedroom | $3,200 |
Is rent expensive in Montreal?
Expensive is a relative term depending on your life situation, but Montreal’s overall average rent did increase by 9% from last year, making it far more expensive than it was.
As you can see in the table, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Montréal, QC is $1,466. It ranks 15th most expensive in rental markets across the country.
Buying a House
Just like everywhere else, the housing market in Montreal saw a significant uptick in 2022. However, it is still more affordable, on average, than many other places in the country.
The average price of buying a house here, as of Fall 2022, is $511,400. Keep in mind, how much you’ll spend on a house will depend on age and condition of the home, location, and general amenities.
These are all things you’ll need to keep in mind as you budget for your cost of life in Montreal, Canada.
Utilities
After you decide whether you are renting or buying, you’ll need to know how much your utilities will cost you per month.
Let’s break it down here:
| Utility | Average Cost |
| Electricity | $6.09/month |
| Gas | $1.80/litre |
| Water | $25.00/month |
Overall, on average in Montreal, utilities should run you about $341 for everything outside of your rent or mortgage payment.
Home Insurance Costs
You can find homeowner’s insurance policies for as little as $12/month in Montreal, but it won’t get you very much.
On average, homeowners spend around $140 a month, depending on the type of property they own.
Tenant’s Insurance
If you are renting, you’ll still need insurance to cover your belongings, but it will only cost you around $27.50/month on average, according to client data collected by a survey done through KBD insurance.
Food Costs
As you continue calculating your monthly expenses, you’ll need to know what some of the most popular grocery items cost so you can budget those in.
These prices are based on those of the local store, Provigo, as of October 2022.
| Grocery Item | Average Cost (October 2022) |
| Milk | $7.49/100 ml |
| Bread | $5.49/1 loaf |
| Rice | $7.99/100 g |
| Eggs | $3.99/1 dozen |
| Apples | $1.32/apple |
| Bananas | $2.00/bunch |
| Oranges | $1.92/orange |
| Tomatoes | $3.90/1 cluster |
| Potatoes | $2.99/10 lb bag |
| Lettuce | $3.99/1 head |
| Onions | $2.03/1 red onion |
| Water (boxed) | $2.99 |
Entertainment Costs
While living in Montreal, you’ll also want to have some fun!
Because the average cost of living in Montreal is a little lower than some other places, this should be able to be factored into your budget.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the activities you might like to do!
| Activity | Average Cost |
| Dining Out | $16/per meal, per person |
| Clubbing | $15.85/cover charge$3.96/beer$7.92/mixed drink$4.76/shot |
| Movies (Cineplex) | $14.25 – $16.50/per ticket, per adult |
| Sports Games | $61/hockey game ticket for an adult |
Transportation
Whether you choose to use public transportation or rely on your car, you’ll need to account for it in your Montreal living expenses.
Looking to get around via car? Find the cheapest car rentals here!
Public Transportation
A single fare on Montreal’s metro system will run you $3.50.
Gas
Gas has fluctuated quite a bit in Montreal within the last few months, so it’s difficult to put a specific average on this. However, as of October 2022, average gas prices stand at $2.18 per litre.
Car Insurance
Car insurance, on average, will cost you around $59.75 per month.
Taxis/Ubers
Ubers are more affordable than taxis in Montreal, so they are the better way to go when traveling in this city. A taxi will cost you $40-$50 for around a 20-minute ride – based on fare calculations from the airport to downtown.
In contrast, while an Uber may charge a minimum fee, their hourly rate works out to about $50, giving you a much better value than a taxi.
Healthcare Costs
Much like Toronto insurance, dental, physiotherapy, and psychology visits aren’t free. Even prescriptions cost a lot. So, while there is national healthcare, you will more than likely need to supplement it with health insurance of your own.
Families typically spend around $4,000 per year on this, which for budgeting purposes, breaks down to around $333 per month.
👉 “Free healthcare” isn’t 100% free. Use World Nomads travel insurance to protect yourself until you get insurance through your employer.
Education
There are two main schools within the city limits, McGill and Concordia. In addition, there is also the University of Montreal.
Tuition
Currently, according to the University website, for residents of Quebec, McGill University will cost $5131.84 per semester, including all the fees for a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Concordia University, for a student that is a resident of Quebec will cost $4,933 per semester.
Lastly, the University of Montreal has the least significant cost at $1,398.45 for budgeting purposes. This does not include any of the extra fees or living expenses factored in.
Books
Books will cost around $281/month, so this will be a significant added cost for students that will need to be factored in when calculating the cost of living in Montreal for a student.
Fitness
Luckily, there are quite a few affordable gyms in Montreal that you can start going to for just $10/month, including Econofitness that is sure to have a location by you with 31 sprinkled throughout the city.
The average cost of the gym runs around $20-$25 for various other places, and if you are looking for a more luxury experience for your workouts, there are places that charge up to $55/month but offer more amenities in addition to the gym equipment.
Phone + Internet Costs
The average price for a bundle in Montreal will cost around $53 per month.
Taxes
While you should always speak with a financial expert if you are confused regarding filing your taxes, you can get a good idea of what you may owe living in Montreal here.
Provincial
| Income Tax Bracket for Montreal, Quebec | Percentage of Income Owed |
| Up to $46,295 | 15% |
| $46,296 to $92,580 | 20% |
| $92,581 to $112,655 | 24% |
| $112,655 and over | 25.75% |
Federal
| Income Tax Bracket | Percentage of Income Owed |
| $0 to $42,184 | 5.06% |
| $0 to $42,184 | 5.06% |
| $42,184.01 to $84,369 | 7.70% |
| $84,369.01 to $96,866 | 10.50% |
| $96,866.01 to $117,623 | 12.29% |
| $117,623.01 to $159,483 | 14.70% |
| $159,483.01 to $222,420 | 16.80% |
| Over $222,420 | 20.5% |
Alcohol
During a night of fun, a beer or glass of wine in a neighborhood pub in Montreal will cost around $8 CAD. However, if you head to the local liquor store, such as SAQ, you can pick up a whole bottle of wine for just a few dollars more.
Coffee
If you head to a local coffee shop, like Cafe Myriade – which has made quite a name for itself – a traditional espresso will cost around $3 CAD. They also sell retail coffee for you to brew at home that costs $20 per bag.
Childcare
Infant, toddler, and preschool care in Montreal is actually quite reasonable compared to the rest of the country, which is great news for families looking to move here. On average, it costs around $181 per month.
Average Salary in Montreal Quebec
The average salary in Montreal, Quebec, is $45,825 per year or $23.50 per hour.
I recommend this platform to find jobs as a foreigner.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Montreal?
When you include rent in the average cost of living, monthly expenses equal out to about $2,844 per month, so in order to live comfortably in Montreal you’d need to make around $34,128 at minimum as a single person, or $68,256 for a couple.
Average Cost to Live in Montreal Per Month
Let’s break down the average cost of living in Montreal per month depending on your particular situation.
Obviously, whether or not you have children, are part of a couple, or have expenses related to schooling will play a huge part in determining your monthly budget as you plan for relocation.
Cost of Living for a Single Person
The cost of living for a single person in Montreal, on average, is $1,449 CAD per month, which equates to $17,388 per year. So, if you calculate your cost of living in Montreal carefully, it could be a great place to live while saving some money up for the future too.
Cost of Living for a Family of 4
For a family of 4, estimated costs equal around $4,240 for general items per month. This is before the cost of rent, or a mortgage is factored in, so be sure to keep that in mind when estimating your cost of living in Montreal.
Cost of Living for a Student
The cost of living for a student is slightly cheaper than that of the average single person living in Montreal at $1,225 CAD. However, it is important to also remember to factor in tuition and textbooks when figuring out your monthly budget, which are discussed earlier on in the post!
Compared to Canada
Cost of living in Montreal vs. Toronto
The cost of living in Montreal is 24% lower than in Toronto, making it the more economical choice out of the two.
Cost of living in Montreal vs. Ottawa
While the difference between living in Montreal and Ottawa isn’t quite as significant as the difference between it and Toronto, it is still cheaper at 7.1% less in terms of overall expenses from month to month.
Cost of living in Montreal vs. Vancouver
The difference between Montreal and Vancouver is the most significant as you compare cities within Canada and their cost of living. Montreal is 25% less expensive than Vancouver as you calculate your cost of living in Montreal from month to month.
Conclusion: Is it expensive to live in Montreal?
Montreal is a relatively cheap city to live in compared with its counterparts in Canada, and certainly when compared to other cities that offer similar amenities around the world.
The cost of living is significantly lower than places like New York at 34.86% lower overall and it is also lower than Vancouver and Toronto.
If a relocation to Canada is in the cards for you, I’d highly recommend checking out this inexpensive, safe city that still offers so much no matter what stage of life you are in!
Learn More About Living in Canada:
- Living in Toronto vs. Montreal: Which City is Right for You? [2022]
- Moving to Toronto from Montreal: Is it Worth it?
- Moving to Quebec from Ontario: Benefits, Costs & More!
- Moving to Ontario from Quebec: Costs, Benefits & More!
- Canada Express Entry Step by Step Process
Book cheap airline tickets and accommodations with Booking.com to save money when you’re moving abroad!
Canada Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy Canada travel insurance?
100% YES! — Canada has “free” healthcare but it’s only for citizens! Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. I recommend World Nomads – starting at just $5 a day!
💧Can you drink the water in Canada?
Yes — In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. There are very few, rural areas that you can’t. However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated.
🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?
Yes — Renting a car is a necessity in most of Canada! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, you’ll need to rent a car. (Read more)
📲 Will my phone work in Canada?
Maybe — Some American companies work in Canada, but many will not. If your phone doesn’t work in Canada, I recommend getting a Canadian SIM card so you can get around and stay in contact with loved ones. We don’t have a lot of free WIFI in Canada, so you’ll need your phone for maps.
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Canada accommodations?
My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I use Hostel World. If you want a home-y feeling, check out VRBO (which is cheaper and safer than Airbnb).
Or get free accommodations with Trusted Housesitters!
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?
For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommend Skyscanner.
🎫 Do I need a visa for Canada?
Likely Not — US, UK, and EU passport holders don’t need Canadian visas. However, some other countries do (check here!). And if you plan to stay for more than 4 weeks (an average tourist visa length), you will need to look into visas to live in Canada.
