Housing costs in Montreal
Montreal is often seen as a more affordable option for buying a house compared to some other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver. If you wish to settle here, there are cheaper neighborhoods to settle to. However, while Montreal generally offers more affordability, it can still be relatively expensive for house buying, especially in certain neighborhoods and for specific property types.
Cost of rent in Montreal, CA
| Area/Neighborhood | 1-bed apartment | 3-bed apartment |
| Montreal (Outside of Center) | $1,221.81 | $1,979.26 |
Cost of buying a property in Montreal
| Area/Neighborhood | Average home price |
| Montreal | $521,600 |
Utility costs in Montreal: Internet, electricity and water
Whether you own a house or rent in Montreal, utility costs are a part of your budget. The good news is that Montreal offers highly affordable electricity rates.
Hydro-Québec annually compares electricity prices for residential customers in Québec with those in 21 major North American cities. In Québec, residential electricity rates are nearly half of those in Toronto, and around five times lower than those in New York City.
Here is the monthly average cost of a basic utility package for a 915 sq. ft apartment, which includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage, and Internet services in Montreal:
| Utilities | Cost |
| Basic
(Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
$110.21 |
| Internet
(60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
$59.54 |
| Total | $169.75 |
Numbeo (Sept 2023) & Hydroquebec (2022)
Grocery costs in Montreal
Grocery costs in Montreal are more reasonable compared to other major cities like Toronto. Additionally, basic items such as dairy, eggs, cereals, vegetables, meat, fish, coffee, and more are tax-exempt when purchased in grocery and convenience stores.
| Grocery items in Montreal | Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | $10.86 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | $3.69 |
| Rice (white) (1 lb) | $1.96 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | $4.28 |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | $7.32 |
| Chicken Filets (1 lb) | $7.28 |
| Beef Round (1 lb) | $7.94 |
| Apples (1 lb) | $1.98 |
| Banana (1 lb) | $0.88 |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.19 |
| Tomato (1 lb) | $2.43 |
| Potato (1 lb) | $1.23 |
| Onion (1 lb) | $1.43 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $3.17 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $18.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $3.69 |
| Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) | $4.31 |
Public transit in Montreal
Montreal’s main public transportation system is the metro and bus network, run by the STM (Société de transport de Montréal). The STM plays a vital role in helping people get around in the Montreal area, whether they live here or are just visiting.
You can purchase tickets on the bus with exact change or get tickets and cards at metro stations, fare vending machines, authorized retailers, or online.
The metro system is composed of four lines, each serving distinct routes.
- Green Line: From Angrignon to Honoré-Beaugrand.
- Orange Line: From Cote-Vertu to Montmorency.
- Yellow Line: From Longueuil (University of Sherbrooke) to Berri-Uqam.
- Blue Line: From Snowdon to Saint-Michel.
| Type of fare | Rate |
| Single ticket | $3.75 |
| Daily pass | $11.00 |
| Weekly pass | $30.00 |
| Monthly pass | $97.00 |
| 747
Trudeau Airport/Downtown |
$11.00 |
Entertainment costs in Montreal
Montreal offers a wide range of local attractions, cultural experiences and culinary delights. From iconic places such as Old Montreal, Mont-Royal, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Notre-Dame Basilica to a diverse culinary scene featuring world-class restaurants.
Here are some insights into the entertainment average costs in Montreal:
| Entertainment in Montreal | Cost |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | $57.50 |
| Taxi 1h | $44.25 |
| 1 cinema ticket | $15.00 |
| Total | $116.75 |
Sales tax in Montreal
Canada has three types of sales taxes that vary by province. In Québec, there’s the PST and the GST, which are set at about 5% and 9.975%, respectively, totaling 14.975% and applying to purchases of goods and services.
While some items, like basic groceries and sometimes feminine hygiene products, are exempt from sales taxes, the rate for other products depends on the specific province.
Government of Canada (Sept 2023) & Revenu Québec (Sept 2023)
Healthcare costs in Montreal
If you live in Quebec, you have access to the RAMQ (la Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec), which offers public health insurance that covers basic medical expenses.
However, it does not include comprehensive services such as those provided by private clinics, paramedical treatments, dental and ophthalmological care, psychology sessions and some diagnostic services. For comprehensive coverage, you can opt to buy private health insurance or use the one sponsored by your employer.
Costs and coverage of private health insurance vary depending on factors such as age, gender, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, specific needs and the provider chosen.
| Type of healthcare | Cost |
| Employer-sponsored health insurance | $63.00 |
| Non-employer-sponsored health insurance | $50.00-$166.70 |
| Gym | $41.14 |
Numbeo (Sept 2023), Hellosafe (2023) & Insurance Business (Apr 2023)
Conclusion
Montreal has a unique European charm that sets it apart from other big cities in Canada. It’s a great place to consider if you want a better quality of life, safety, diverse job opportunities, and a lower cost of living. Just make sure to budget carefully and research the best neighborhoods in Montreal before you decide where to live.
And before you move, be sure to find the best moving companies in Montreal to make your transition to your new home smooth and easy.
Please review the table summarizing Montreal’s 2024 monthly living costs:
| Category | Monthly cost |
| 1 bed apt rent outside city center | $1,221.81 |
| Groceries
Numbeo’s grocery list |
$330.56 |
| Utilities
Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$110.21 |
| Internet with 60 Mbps | $59.54 |
| Transit pass | $97.00 |
| Entertainment
Meal, taxi, movie |
$116.75 |
| Gym membership | $41.14 |
| Total | $1,977.01 |
