Montreal is Canada’s second-largest city and Quebec’s economic engine. While household incomes are below those of Toronto and Calgary, Montreal offers a more affordable housing market and extensive government-subsidized services that enhance quality of life.
Average and median income in Montreal
| Metric | Montreal | Quebec | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Household Income | $128,800 | $135,100 | $146,600 |
| Median Household Income | $105,200 | $112,700 | $121,000 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (updated with CIS 2023 trends).
Montreal’s household income is below both the provincial and national averages, partly reflecting the city’s higher proportion of younger workers, students, and artists who bring cultural richness but lower average earnings.
Income vs. housing affordability in Montreal
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $105,200 |
| Average Home Price | $556,000 |
| Price-to-Income Ratio | 5.3× |
| Monthly Mortgage Payment (20% down, 5yr fixed) | ~$2,550 |
Montreal’s 5.3× ratio represents a middle ground — more affordable than Toronto (7.6×) and Vancouver (9.5×), but less affordable than prairie cities like Calgary (4.0×).
How Montreal compares to other major cities
| City | Average HHI | Median HHI | Avg Home Price | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $163,100 | $131,900 | $1,009,000 | 7.6× |
| Calgary | $168,400 | $140,200 | $567,000 | 4.0× |
| Montreal | $128,800 | $105,200 | $556,000 | 5.3× |
| Ottawa | $158,200 | $131,500 | $630,000 | 4.8× |
| Halifax | $131,400 | $108,500 | $489,000 | 4.5× |
Use our mortgage affordability calculator to see what you can afford on a Montreal income.
Key industries driving Montreal income
- Aerospace — Montreal is Canada’s aerospace capital, home to Bombardier, CAE, Pratt & Whitney Canada, and Bell Helicopter. The sector employs over 40,000 people.
- Artificial intelligence — Anchored by Mila (the Quebec AI Institute) and Yoshua Bengio’s research, Montreal has attracted major AI investment from Google DeepMind, Meta, Microsoft, and Samsung.
- Video games — Ubisoft Montreal (3,500+ employees), EA, Warner Bros. Games, and dozens of indie studios make Montreal the biggest game development hub in Canada.
- Financial services — National Bank, Desjardins Group, Caisse de dépôt, and a strong insurance sector.
- Life sciences and pharma — Major pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
- Film and VFX — Growing production industry supported by Quebec tax credits.
Quebec’s tax impact on Montreal income
Montreal residents face Canada’s highest tax burden, but receive significant services:
Higher costs:
- Provincial income tax rates up to 25.75%
- QST of 9.975% (combined with GST for ~15% total)
- QPP contributions slightly higher than CPP
Offsetting benefits:
- $8.70/day childcare — Saves families $10,000–$15,000/year vs. Toronto
- Lowest university tuition in Canada (~$3,000/year for Quebec residents)
- Comprehensive prescription drug coverage through RAMQ
- Generous parental leave through QPIP
For a family with two children in daycare, the childcare savings alone can offset $20,000+ per year in additional tax costs vs. Ontario. Calculate your Montreal take-home with our income tax calculator.
Rental affordability in Montreal
Montreal’s rental market has historically been Canada’s most affordable major city, though rents have risen sharply:
| Housing Type | Average Monthly Cost | % of Median HHI |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,400 | 16.0% |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | $1,700 | 19.4% |
| 3-Bedroom Apartment | $2,000 | 22.8% |
| Average Home Mortgage (20% down) | ~$2,550 | 29.1% |
Montreal’s rents remain lower than Toronto (where 1-bedrooms average $2,300+) and Vancouver ($2,500+). Quebec’s strong tenant protections — including annual rent increase guidelines and restrictions on renovictions — have historically helped keep rents lower. However, new construction is increasingly exempt from these controls.
Take-home pay: Montreal vs. other cities
Quebec’s higher taxes significantly reduce take-home pay, but subsidized services partially offset this:
| Gross Salary | Montreal (QC) | Toronto (ON) | Calgary (AB) | Net Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $44,800 | $46,900 | $48,300 | -$2,100 vs. ON |
| $80,000 | $57,200 | $60,500 | $62,600 | -$3,300 vs. ON |
| $100,000 | $69,300 | $73,700 | $76,500 | -$4,400 vs. ON |
Estimates based on 2025 federal and provincial tax rates. Use our income tax calculator for your exact figure.
But with childcare factored in (2 children):
| Scenario | Montreal (QC) | Toronto (ON) | Annual Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 salary + 2 kids in daycare | $69,300 - $6,350 childcare | $73,700 - $30,000 childcare | Montreal saves $19,250 |
Quebec’s $8.70/day childcare ($6,350/year for 2 children × 230 days) turns the tax disadvantage into an overall financial advantage for families. This single program is the most significant income-equalizer between provinces.
Income by area within Montreal
| Area | Approximate Median HHI | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Westmount | $175,000+ | Highest-income area, anglophone professionals |
| Town of Mount Royal | $140,000+ | Affluent residential, mixed language |
| Laval | $110,000–$125,000 | Suburban, family-oriented |
| West Island (DDO, Pointe-Claire) | $115,000–$135,000 | Anglophone suburbs, professional families |
| South Shore (Brossard, Longueuil) | $100,000–$120,000 | Growing suburbs, diverse |
| Plateau-Mont-Royal | $75,000–$95,000 | Young professionals, artists, smaller households |
| Montreal-Nord/St-Léonard | $55,000–$75,000 | Immigrant communities, lower income |
Estimates based on Census 2021 neighbourhood profiles.
Montreal’s income geography reflects its unique linguistic and cultural divisions, with historically anglophone areas (Westmount, West Island) commanding higher household incomes. However, francophone professional areas are narrowing this gap as the tech and AI sectors grow.
Income trends in Montreal
- 2015–2018 — Montreal entered a sustained period of economic growth, with unemployment dropping to record lows. The AI sector’s emergence (Mila, Element AI) brought international attention and investment.
- 2019 — Montreal’s economy diversified significantly, with gaming (Ubisoft expansion), aerospace (Bombardier restructuring), and AI all contributing to income growth
- 2020–2021 — The pandemic hit Montreal’s tourism, hospitality, and arts sectors hard, but tech, gaming, and government employment provided stability. Quebec’s generous CERB-equivalent programs helped bridge income gaps.
- 2022–2025 — Strong recovery driven by AI investment (Google DeepMind expansion, Samsung AI centre), continued gaming industry growth, and a rising population through immigration. Housing prices rose ~25% from pre-pandemic levels, eroding some of Montreal’s historic affordability advantage.
Related tools and resources
- Montreal Mortgage Rates — Find the best mortgage rates
- Montreal Housing Market — Current home prices and trends
- Income Percentile Calculator — See where your income ranks
- Income Tax Calculator — Estimate your Quebec income tax
- Salary Calculator — Calculate your Quebec after-tax pay
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator — How much home can you afford