Monthly Cost of Living Summary
| Expense | Single Person | Couple | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed / 2-bed / 3-bed) | $1,500–$1,800 | $1,900–$2,400 | $2,300–$3,000 |
| Groceries | $350–$480 | $600–$840 | $900–$1,250 |
| Transportation | $97–$300 | $170–$400 | $250–$550 |
| Utilities | $100–$150 | $120–$180 | $150–$220 |
| Internet + phone | $110–$150 | $150–$200 | $160–$240 |
| Insurance | $80–$160 | $120–$240 | $160–$320 |
| Dining/entertainment | $150–$400 | $250–$550 | $250–$500 |
| Fitness/personal | $40–$120 | $60–$160 | $80–$200 |
| Miscellaneous | $80–$150 | $120–$220 | $150–$280 |
| Total | $2,507–$3,710 | $3,490–$5,190 | $4,400–$6,560 |
Rent Prices by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Studio | 1-Bedroom | 2-Bedroom | 3-Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griffintown | $1,400–$1,700 | $1,800–$2,200 | $2,400–$3,000 | $3,000–$3,800 |
| Downtown (Ville-Marie) | $1,300–$1,600 | $1,700–$2,100 | $2,200–$2,800 | $2,800–$3,600 |
| Old Montreal | $1,400–$1,700 | $1,800–$2,200 | $2,400–$3,000 | Limited availability |
| Plateau Mont-Royal | $1,100–$1,400 | $1,500–$1,900 | $1,900–$2,400 | $2,200–$2,800 |
| Mile End | $1,100–$1,400 | $1,400–$1,800 | $1,800–$2,300 | $2,100–$2,700 |
| NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce) | $900–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,600 | $1,600–$2,000 | $1,900–$2,400 |
| Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie | $1,000–$1,300 | $1,300–$1,700 | $1,700–$2,200 | $2,000–$2,600 |
| Verdun | $900–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,600 | $1,600–$2,100 | $1,900–$2,500 |
| Hochelaga-Maisonneuve | $800–$1,100 | $1,100–$1,400 | $1,400–$1,800 | $1,600–$2,100 |
| Villeray–Saint-Michel | $800–$1,100 | $1,100–$1,500 | $1,400–$1,800 | $1,700–$2,200 |
| Côte-des-Neiges | $900–$1,200 | $1,200–$1,500 | $1,500–$1,900 | $1,800–$2,300 |
| Laval (nearby suburb) | $800–$1,100 | $1,100–$1,400 | $1,300–$1,700 | $1,600–$2,100 |
Home Prices
| Property Type | Average Price | Monthly Mortgage (20% down, 5.5%) |
|---|---|---|
| Condo (downtown) | $350,000–$550,000 | $1,800–$2,840 |
| Condo (suburbs) | $250,000–$400,000 | $1,290–$2,060 |
| Duplex/triplex | $550,000–$900,000 | $2,840–$4,640 |
| Townhouse | $400,000–$650,000 | $2,060–$3,350 |
| Detached house | $500,000–$900,000 | $2,580–$4,640 |
Quebec Tax Impact
| Tax/Fee | Quebec | Ontario | Alberta | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial income tax (first bracket) | 14% | 5.05% | 10% | 5.06% |
| Total sales tax | 14.975% | 13% | 5% | 12% |
| Quebec Pension Plan (vs CPP) | Slightly higher contributions | Lower (CPP) | Lower (CPP) | Lower (CPP) |
| QPIP premiums | 0.494% (employee) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Prescription drug coverage | Mandatory RAMQ or private | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Take-Home Pay Comparison: $75,000 Salary
| Province | Federal Tax | Provincial Tax | CPP/QPP + EI/QPIP | Net Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $10,900 | $10,800 | $5,200 | ~$48,100 |
| Ontario | $10,900 | $4,500 | $4,600 | ~$55,000 |
| Alberta | $10,900 | $7,500 | $4,600 | ~$52,000 |
| BC | $10,900 | $3,800 | $4,600 | ~$55,700 |
Quebec has the lowest take-home pay, but lower housing costs often more than compensate.
Grocery Costs
| Item | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (4L) | $6.00–$7.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.00–$4.00 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $4.00–$5.00 |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $12.00–$16.00 |
| Ground beef (1 kg) | $9.00–$13.00 |
| Rice (5 kg) | $10.00–$14.00 |
| Monthly groceries (1 person) | $350–$480 |
| Monthly groceries (family of 4) | $900–$1,250 |
Transportation
| Mode | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| STM monthly pass (all modes) | $97 |
| STM monthly pass (reduced) | $56 |
| STM single ride | $3.75 |
| BIXI bike share (annual) | $99 |
| REM (Réseau express métropolitain) | Included in STM pass |
| Car ownership (total) | $650–$1,200 |
| Car insurance (SAAQ + private) | $80–$180 |
| Gas | $130–$220 |
| Downtown parking (monthly) | $150–$350 |
Montreal has the cheapest transit pass of any major Canadian city at $97/month.
Income Needed to Live in Montreal
| Living Situation | Monthly Expenses | Gross Annual Salary Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Single (frugal, roommate) | $1,600–$2,000 | $30,000–$36,000 |
| Single (own 1-bedroom) | $2,500–$3,300 | $44,000–$60,000 |
| Single (comfortable, savings) | $3,300–$4,000 | $60,000–$74,000 |
| Couple (1-bedroom) | $3,500–$4,500 | $64,000–$82,000 (combined) |
| Couple (2-bedroom, savings) | $4,200–$5,500 | $78,000–$102,000 (combined) |
| Family of 4 (3-bed, renting) | $5,000–$6,800 | $95,000–$128,000 |
| Family of 4 (homeowner, comfortable) | $6,500–$8,500 | $124,000–$162,000 |
Montreal vs Other Canadian Cities
| Monthly Expense | Montreal | Toronto | Vancouver | Calgary | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed rent | $1,650 | $2,400 | $2,600 | $1,750 | $1,900 |
| Groceries (single) | $420 | $475 | $490 | $440 | $430 |
| Transit pass | $97 | $160 | $110 | $115 | $125 |
| Utilities (1-bed) | $120 | $130 | $95 | $180 | $150 |
| Sales tax | 14.975% | 13% | 12% | 5% | 13% |
| Total (single) | $2,800 | $3,800 | $3,900 | $2,900 | $3,100 |