Cost of living in Montreal 2026: How much money do you really need per month?
The cost of living in Montreal for a single person in 2026 ranges between $2,100 and $2,900 CAD per month, including rent, food, STM transit, basic utilities, and personal expenses. Montreal remains 20% to 30% cheaper than Toronto, especially for housing and transportation, and offers subsidized daycare at $9.10/day for families.
Key takeaways
- Rent is the biggest expense: between $1,200 and $1,600 for a 1 bedroom
- The STM monthly transit pass costs $100 (regular fare with OPUS)
- Quebec offers subsidized daycare at $9.10/day, a huge saving vs other provinces
- Hydro-Québec is significantly cheaper than electricity in Ontario
- Montreal is 20% to 30% cheaper than Toronto in total cost of living
Monthly cost of living breakdown in Montreal
Before going into detail, here is a summary of typical monthly expenses for a single person living in Montreal in 2026. These ranges reflect a moderate lifestyle, neither austere nor luxurious.
| Category | Monthly range (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Rent (1 bedroom) | $1,200 – $1,600 |
| Food and groceries | $350 – $500 |
| Transport (STM monthly) | $100 |
| Utilities (Hydro-Québec, internet, phone) | $180 – $250 |
| Health insurance (if applicable) | $0 – $80 |
| Clothing and personal items | $50 – $100 |
| Entertainment and leisure | $50 – $150 |
| Unexpected expenses and savings | $100 – $200 |
| Estimated total | $2,027 – $2,877 |
Monthly cost distribution in Montreal (single person)
Based on the midpoint of each range · Total: ~$2,502 CAD/monthNote: These amounts are for a single person. For a couple, rent goes up (2 bedrooms: $1,500 – $2,000) but other expenses are shared. A couple can expect between $3,200 and $4,200 monthly in total.
Housing and rent in Montreal 2026
Rent is by far the biggest expense in your monthly budget. Montreal remains more affordable than Toronto and Vancouver, but prices have risen significantly in recent years due to high demand and immigration.
Average rent by housing type
- Studio: $1,000 – $1,300/month in central neighbourhoods like Plateau, Villeray, or Rosemont
- 1 bedroom (3½): $1,200 – $1,600/month, the most common type for a single person or couple
- 2 bedrooms (4½): $1,500 – $2,000/month, ideal for a couple or small family
- 3 bedrooms (5½): $1,800 – $2,500/month, for families with children
The most affordable neighbourhoods include Montréal-Nord, Saint-Michel, Park Extension, and Verdun. If you're willing to live on the outskirts (Longueuil, Laval), you can save between $200 and $400 monthly on rent.
Key fact: In Quebec, rents are regulated by the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL). Your landlord cannot raise the rent freely each year. If you receive a rent increase notice you consider excessive, you can dispute it before the TAL.
If you're thinking about buying instead of renting, check our mortgage guide for Canada or read our step-by-step guide on how to choose your first mortgage to understand the requirements and costs of a first home.
Food and groceries
Food expenses for a single person in Montreal range from $350 to $500 per month if you cook at home most of the time. Eating out regularly can easily raise this figure to $700 or more.
The most affordable supermarkets in Montreal are Maxi, Super C, and No Frills. For Latin American products (pre-cooked flour, beans, plantains, arepas), stores like Marché Andes in Côte-des-Neiges and shops in Park Extension offer good options at reasonable prices.
Saving tip: Download the Flipp app to compare weekly supermarket deals. Also check the "clearance" or "rabais" sections where you find products near their expiry date with discounts of 30% to 50%.
Public transit and car
Montreal's public transit system is operated by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and includes the metro (4 lines) and buses. It is efficient, especially in the city centre and main neighbourhoods.
- Regular monthly pass (OPUS): $100/month
- Reduced monthly pass (students, 65+): $56/month
- Single fare: $3.75
- Weekly pass: $30
If you live in the suburbs (Longueuil, Laval), you'll need a combined STM + RTL or STL pass that costs more (around $140 – $160/month), but you save on rent.
Owning a car in Montreal is possible but costly. Between insurance ($150 – $250/month for a new driver), parking ($100 – $250/month in central areas), gas ($150 – $200/month), and maintenance, a car can add up to $500 to $800 per month. For most newcomers, public transit is the smartest option to start.
Basic utilities (Hydro-Québec, internet, phone)
One of the advantages of living in Quebec is that electricity is significantly cheaper than in the rest of Canada, thanks to Hydro-Québec's hydroelectric power.
- Hydro-Québec (electricity + heating): $80 – $120/month annual average. In winter it can rise to $150 – $200 if your heating is electric.
- Internet: $50 – $80/month for 100 Mbps+ plans. Popular providers: Vidéotron, Bell, Fizz, Oxio.
- Cell phone: $30 – $60/month for data plans. Fizz and Koodo offer competitive plans from $30/month with 4-8 GB of data.
Important fact: Many apartments in Montreal include hot water heating (chauffage à l'eau chaude) in the rent. Ask before signing the lease. If heating is included, your Hydro-Québec bill drops significantly.
Health and medical insurance
Quebec has a universal public healthcare system through the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). If you are a permanent resident or worker with a valid permit, you are entitled to the RAMQ card which covers doctor visits, hospitalization, and most health services at no cost.
However, RAMQ does not cover everything:
- Dental (except oral surgery in hospital)
- Glasses and eye exams (except under 18 and over 65)
- Prescription medication (partially covered by Quebec's public plan)
- Physiotherapy, psychology, chiropractic
RAMQ waiting period: New permanent residents have a waiting period of up to 3 months before receiving the RAMQ card. During that time you need temporary private insurance. Make sure you have coverage from the day you arrive.
How much do you need to earn to live in Montreal?
With a monthly cost of living between $2,100 and $2,900, you need a gross income of at least $38,000 to $45,000 per year to live comfortably as a single person in Montreal. This is equivalent to a net salary of approximately $2,600 to $3,100 per month after taxes.
Reference: The minimum wage in Quebec is $16.10/hour (2026). Working 40 hours per week, that equals ~$33,488 gross annually or ~$2,200 net monthly. On minimum wage it's possible to cover the basics, but there's little room for savings. That's why we recommend aiming for a gross income of at least $40,000 per year.
If you're starting your financial life in Canada, our getting started guide explains how to open your first bank account, build your credit history, and take advantage of newcomer programs.
Montreal vs Toronto: cost comparison
Many Latin American newcomers arrive in Canada debating between Montreal and Toronto. Both cities have large Latino communities, but the cost of living is very different.
| Concept | Montreal | Toronto |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom rent | $1,400 | $2,200 |
| Monthly transit pass | $100 | $156 |
| Daycare (monthly) | $192* | $1,200 – $1,800 |
| Electricity (monthly) | $80 – $120 | $120 – $180 |
| Groceries (person/month) | $350 – $500 | $400 – $550 |
| Minimum wage (hourly) | $16.10 | $17.20 |
The most notable difference is rent: a 1 bedroom in Toronto costs between 35% and 55% more than in Montreal. Additionally, Quebec's subsidized daycare program can save a family with one child more than $10,000 per year compared to Toronto.
The main disadvantage of Montreal is the French language requirement for many jobs and procedures. If your plan is to work in sectors like customer service, healthcare, or provincial government, you'll need at least a functional level of French.
Tips for saving as a newcomer in Montreal
- Use a no-fee bank account. Big banks charge $4 to $17 per month for a chequing account. Use newcomer programs (first year free) or open a no-fee digital account at Tangerine or Wealthsimple. Check our guide to best no-fee accounts for newcomers.
- Cook at home and plan your weekly menu. Eating out in Montreal costs between $15 and $25 per person. Cooking at home can cut your food expenses in half.
- Take advantage of cashback credit cards. Using a cashback card for your everyday purchases can give you back between $200 and $500 per year without changing your spending habits.
- Buy clothes at thrift stores. Montreal has excellent thrift stores (friperies) like Renaissance, Village des Valeurs, and independent shops in the Plateau.
- Take advantage of government programs. File your taxes to receive the GST/HST credit, Quebec Solidarity Credit, and if you have children, the Canada Child Benefit. These benefits can add up to more than $3,000 per year. You can also save with tax advantages using accounts like the TFSA, RRSP, or FHSA.
- Share housing (colocation). If you're alone, sharing a 4½ or 5½ with a roommate can bring your housing cost down to $650 – $900 per month, a significant saving.
Our experience
When we arrived in Montreal, our first month cost us almost $3,500 because we didn't yet know the affordable stores, paid a high rent deposit, and didn't have an OPUS pass. After 3 months, by optimizing shopping, cooking at home, and using public transit, we brought our monthly expenses down to less than $2,400 for two people. The learning curve is real, but Montreal is a city where you can live well without spending a fortune if you know the tricks.
Preguntas frecuentes
How much money do I need to live in Montreal?
A single person needs between $2,100 and $2,900 per month to live in Montreal in 2026, depending on their lifestyle. This range includes rent, food, STM transit, basic utilities, and personal expenses. For a couple, the recommended budget is $3,200 to $4,200 per month.
Is Montreal cheaper than Toronto?
Yes, Montreal is significantly cheaper than Toronto. Average rent is 35% to 40% lower, public transit costs $100/month vs $156/month, and Quebec offers subsidized daycare at $9.10/day, which represents a huge saving for families. Overall, the cost of living in Montreal is 20% to 30% lower than Toronto.
Can I live on $1,500 per month in Montreal?
It's very difficult to live on $1,500 per month in Montreal in 2026, as rent for a studio alone can cost $1,000 to $1,300. You would need to share housing (colocation) to bring the cost down to $600-$800, always cook at home, and limit expenses to the minimum. It's not impossible, but it requires a lot of discipline and likely living with roommates.
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