Top 5 Cheapest Neighborhoods to live in Montreal with the Best Quality of life — 2024

Studies
Canada
Québec
Montreal

Montreal’s best neighborhoods offer a perfect mix of family-friendly parks, schools, libraries, and community centers, providing easy access to essential services and recreational activities. This combination of cultural richness, diversity, safety, affordability, and strong community spirit makes Montreal an attractive destination for those seeking a fulfilling lifestyle.

While housing costs can vary, Montreal’s neighborhoods are generally among the cheapest neighborhoods to live in Montreal compared to other major Canadian cities, allowing residents to find homes within their budget without compromising on quality of life.

If you’re looking for an affordable place with a high standard of living, here are the top 5 cheapest neighborhoods to live in Montreal that offer the best quality of life this year.

Methodology

We ranked the 5 cheapest neighborhoods to live in Montreal based on the average cost of purchasing a property (condos and single-family homes) and the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment, sourced from trusted local real estate websites.

The “Best Quality of Life” metric is derived from feedback from individuals in our database who have moved to these areas, as well as from trusted online forums. Specifically, we focus on positive reviews regarding job opportunities, education quality, healthcare, safety, public transportation, cleanliness, and the availability of recreational facilities and parks.

Ad

Widgets Magazine

Cheapest Neighborhoods to live in Montreal

Featured in this article

Ad

1. NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce)

  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,473
  • Average cost of buying a property: $844,000

Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce offers diverse and welcoming neighborhoods for students, newcomers, families, and young professionals. Its multicultural atmosphere, vibrant community spirit, and engaging architecture makes it a lively place to live. As Montreal’s most populous borough, it serves as a transportation hub and is home to top educational and health institutions.

The Le Triangle neighborhoods, bordered by Rue Jean-Talon on the south, Boulevard Décarie on the west, and the Town of Mount Royal on the northeast, is undergoing constant transformation. It’s a newly established area centered around the Namur subway station, following Transit-Oriented Development principles, emphasizing sustainable urban planning practices.

Ville de Montréal – Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (Nov 2024), Centris (Nov 2024) & Zumper (Nov 2024)

Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montreal

2. Lachine

  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,493
  • Average cost of buying a property: $532,000

Lachine offers its residents a range of heritage sites due to its long-standing history, as well as, peaceful parks, sports facilities and education institutions. Lachine benefits from its location and accessibility to two major train stations and three highways known as the 20, 13 and the 138.

If you are looking for a place near to all of Montreal, Lachine is perfect for you. It is a 5-minute drive to Montreal International Airport (YUL), a 19-minute drive to downtown Montreal and extremely close to l’échangeur turcot, which joins all the major highways of Montreal. 

Most of the residents in Lachine are growing families with children, with a growing population of 45 743. Residents love spending time by the water at Vieux-Lachine or Old Lachine with its historical buildings and performance halls. You can find all the commercial shops on Notre-Dame street, where the Lachine Market is located. 

Centris (Nov 2024) & Zumper (Nov 2024)

Lachine, Montreal

3. LaSalle

  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,503
  • Average cost of buying a property: $553,750

LaSalle is one of the cheapest neighborhoods to live in Montreal, offering a blend of small-town charm, modern amenities, and excellent schools, making it an ideal choice for families with children. LaSalle’s motto, “He pushes away obstacles, he casts aside difficulties,” proudly appears on the coat of arms.

The area fosters a strong sense of community, with amenities such as 1 library, 1 large park (Parc des Rapides), over 40 neighborhood parks, 2 arenas, 5 outdoor ice rinks, 10 tennis courts, and 1 hospital center, to name a few. Additionally, LaSalle is home to Cégep André-Laurendeau, a notable higher education institution.

Ville de Montréal – LaSalle, Centris (Nov 2024) & Zumper (Nov 2024)

LaSalle, Montreal

4. Verdun

  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,534
  • Average cost of buying a property: $807,500

Verdun offers a mix of residential and commercial spaces, making it an ideal place to live and work. Located in the southeastern part of the island, Verdun has something for everyone, especially if you’re looking for affordable housing. It even has a beach known as Plage Urbaine de Verdun – which is very rare in Montreal. Verdun is also very safe with 27.97 crimes per 1,000 people.

If you have a furry friend, Verdun has over 39 km of paths and cycle paths, with over 10 km of pedestrian walk paths located near the local river. As for driving, Verdun is connected to the rest of Montreal through access to highways 15 and 20. 

Its other amenities include Wellington Street, where in the summer, you can enjoy the famous Verdun Jazz Fest with live music and food offered to everyone! 

Ville de Montréal – Verdun (2024), Centris (Nov 2024) & Zumper (Nov 2024)

Verdun, Montreal

5. St-Henri

  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,973
  • Average cost of buying a property: $653,750

Saint-Henri isn’t just a place; it’s a lifestyle centered around great food, stunning scenery, and rich history. Gastronomy, music, history, and vast green spaces converge in this southwest area, making it a top spot for upscale living, recreation, and dining. With its blend of modernity and industrial heritage, Saint-Henri offers an eclectic urban village vibe, attracting a diverse mix of urban professionals, artists, and families. 

While some former factories have transformed into high-end condos, while picturesque alleys and historic monuments add to its charm, it is still considered one of the cheapest neighborhoods with the best quality of life. 

Food enthusiasts will delight in the renowned Atwater Market and the diverse culinary scene along Notre-Dame Street, offering cuisines from around the world. As one of the Quartiers du Canal, Saint-Henri boasts a dynamic indie art scene, impressive heritage architecture, and evolving streetscapes along the historic Lachine Canal, making it one of Montreal’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Ville de Montréal – Centre Saint-Henri (Nov 2024), Centris (Nov 2024) & Zumper (Nov 2024)

St-Henri, Montreal

Featured in this article

Conclusion

When seeking affordable yet high-quality living in Montreal, consider neighborhoods with ample amenities and community centers for convenience. Prioritize safety and community spirit by choosing areas with strong community ties. 

While housing costs may vary across neighborhoods, exploring options that offer affordability without compromising on essential amenities or safety is key. By considering these factors, individuals can find great neighborhoods to live in Montreal that offer a satisfying balance of quality of life and affordability.

Are you planning to move soon? Learn about the best Montreal movers!

 

Last year’s ranking (2024)

  1. LaSalle
  2. Lachine
  3. Verdun
  4. NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce)
  5. St-Henri

 

Our rankings are meticulously curated with a focus on safety, affordability, and quality of life. Please note that some locations from last year’s rankings may have been excluded from this year’s list due to deviations from our methodology. This could include areas with insufficient rental/safety data or those with higher/lower averages compared to the previous year. We encourage readers to consider these rankings in conjunction with their individual needs and preferences to make well-informed decisions.

Ad

Widgets Magazine

Share this article on social media

Ann Nacario

The author

Meet Ann – our head writer with a knack for making moving and city living a breeze. From the many details of moving to picking the perfect moving company, she’s your guide. Ann has a friendly yet detailed approach to ensure your move goes off without a hitch. When she’s not writing about relocation, it will always be on her mind, but you’ll catch her spending time with her three furry friends.
How much is your move?

Find a mover

Easily compare multiple quotes

Organize your move

Guided through a checklist

Internet packages

Get up to speed on the new deals

Address change

Update your address in a few clicks

Join the network

Become a trusted vendor in your service area

For agents and brokers

MovingWaldo is a one-stop-shop that simplifies tackling moving tasks

What is MovingWaldo?

We guide millions of families through each step of their moving process, helping them save time and money, and making sure nothing gets left behind.

Trouver un déménageur

Comparez plusieurs devis

Organisez votre déménagement

Guidé à travers une checklist

Changement d’adresse

Mettez à jour votre adresse en quelques clics

Forfaits internet

Soyez au courant des nouvelles offres internet à domicile

Rejoignez le réseau

Devenez un fournisseur de confiance pour desservir votre région

Professionnels de l’immobilier

Prolongez la relation avec vos clients grâce à votre propre plateforme de déménagement personnalisé

Qu'est-ce que MovingWaldo ?

MovingWaldo est un guichet unique qui simplifie la planification du déménagement

Get our printable change of address checklist directly in your inbox