Cost of Living in Montreal (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Montreal? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed flat, Plateau, Mile End or downtownCAD 1,500–2,000 / month

One-bed flat, Villeray, Rosemont or VerdunCAD 1,200–1,650 / month

Utilities and internet, one personCAD 110–190 / month, more in winter with electric heat

Groceries, one personCAD 400–550 / month

Monthly STM transit passCAD 100 / month

Good to know

Population

≈1.8 million in the city; ≈4.3 million across greater Montreal

Languages

French is the official language. Montreal is genuinely bilingual in daily life, with large Arabic, Spanish, Italian and Haitian Creole-speaking communities

Currency

Canadian dollar (CAD)

Time zone

EST/EDT (GMT−5/−4) — same as New York and Toronto

Power plug

Type A and B, 120 V, 60 Hz

Climate

Humid continental — genuinely cold snowy winters reaching −25 °C, hot humid summers above 30 °C, and short spectacular autumns

Driving side

Right

Sales tax

5% federal GST plus 9.975% Quebec QST, added at the till rather than shown on the label

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Montreal checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.