Cost of Living in Montreal: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

Montreal is a popular destination for both students and professionals in Canada. The cost of living in Montreal is lower than in various other cities around the country. For the past couple of years, Montreal has become more budget-friendly, especially for international students who are living in Montreal for their higher education purposes. 

Montreal offers a high quality of life with a relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities in Canada. The city also provides its citizens with a high standard of living. If you want to know more about the cost of living in Montreal, this blog is perfect for you. Make sure you read until the end to know more. 

Cost of Living in Montreal Overview

The average cost of living in Montreal for one person excluding housing rent according to the numbeo is around CAD 1370. If we consider the apartment rent it is around CAD 1200 to CAD 2000. However, the living expenses in Montreal can vary depending on the standard of living, region, and preference of things.

The cost of living in Montreal includes some costs such as housing rent, food, groceries, transportation, utilities, entertainment, etc. Here, we have given the average cost of living in different categories for individuals looking to live in Montreal. Please take a look at the overview:

Also Read: Cost of Living in Slovakia: A Comprehensive Guide

Costs of Accommodation in Montreal

This is undoubtedly the most expensive thing you need to take into consideration while calculating the cost of living in Montreal. However, this depends on the location, size and type of the room or apartment. A one-bedroom in the city centre area can cost around CAD 1,663.

It is essential to carefully research and compare living options that meet your needs and fit according to your budget. For your convenience, we have put together some data on the average cost of housing of various flats located inside and outside the city centre.

Apartment	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
Apartment of One-bedroom	in the City Centre	CAD 1,663
Apartment of One-bedroom	Outside of Centre	CAD 1,285
Apartment of Three-bedroom	in the City Centre	CAD 3,007
Apartment of Three-bedroom	Outside of Centre	CAD 2,168

Cost of a Utility in Montreal 

The monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Montreal could be around CAD 111. It depends on the use and size of the apartment. Budgeting for utility expenses is essential when planning your monthly cost of living in Montreal as it is a primary part of it. An overview of the average cost of utility bills in Montreal is given in the table below:

Utility Type	Utility Name	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Bills	Water, Electricity, Heating, Cooling, and Garbage	CAD 111
Internet	Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly	CAD 60
Monthly Plan Mobile Phone	including Calls and 10GB+ Data	CAD 52

Cost of Grocery in Montreal

Where you shop, the quality of the products and your dietary preferences are factors that can affect the price of groceries in Montreal. The cost of groceries there can have a direct impact on the overall cost of living in Montreal.

The price of groceries in Montreal is relatively cheap compared to many other major cities in Canada, but it is essential to compare grocery prices to get the best value for your money. In the following table, we have provided an overview of average grocery costs in Montreal:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
1 litre of Regular Milk	CAD 2.90
500g Bread (White)	CAD 4,21
1kg white Rice	CAD 4.50
1kg Apples	CAD 4.93
1kg Banana	CAD 1.97
1kg Oranges	CAD 5.40
1kg Tomato	CAD 6.25
1kg Potato	CAD 2.85
1kg Onion	CAD 3.21
Lettuce (1 head)	CAD 3.43
1 litre Water bottle	CAD 2.37

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Restaurant Food Costs in Montreal

The cost of eating out in Montreal can vary according to the type of restaurant, its location, the cuisine and the menu offered. Eating out in Montreal can be more expensive than cooking in your room and can affect your budget for the cost of living in Montreal. Here’s a rough estimate of the average cost of a meal at restaurants in Montreal:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	CAD 25
Meal for 2 people (in a Mid-range Restaurant)	CAD 120
Equal meal. to McDonald’s	CAD  15
Cappuccino	CAD 5.23

Transportation Costs in Montreal

Montreal has an extensive public transportation system, including buses and the metro (subway). Fares in Montreal are integrated, meaning you can use both buses and the metro with a single ticket or pass.

It’s necessary to evaluate transport costs in Montreal because they have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in Montreal. Take an overview of the following table for the cost of transportation around the Montreal area:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Ticket for Local Public transport	CAD 3.75
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport	CAD 97
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 1 km	CAD 2
Normal Tariff of taxi for 1 hour Waiting	CAD 60
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol	CAD 1.72

Also read: Cost of Living in Rotterdam: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Miscellaneous Costs in Montreal

In addition to the above categories of cost of living in Montreal, charges such as a pair of dresses, movie tickets, small doctor’s appointments, etc. can also be considered and these costs fall under miscellaneous costs. Please see the table below for a list of the miscellaneous charges we offer.

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	CAD 15
Fitness Club	CAD 45
Pair of Jeans	CAD 88
Summer Dress	CAD 66
Pair of Sports shoes	CAD 119
Doctor’s visit	CAD 95

The Cost of Living in Montreal Compared to Other Cities

Montreal is generally considered a relatively affordable country to live in compared to some cities in Canada. When comparing the cost of living in Montreal to other cities, several factors come into play, including housing, transportation, dining, and entertainment.

So to give you an idea of ​​how the cost of living in Montreal compares to other cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, and New York. We’ve given the cost of living (not including rent) in other countries. Please have a look:

Cost of Living City Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Montreal
Cost of Living in Toronto	CAD 1531	Higher than Montreal
Cost of Living in Vancouver	CAD 1561	Higher than Montreal
Cost of Living in Calgary	CAD 1,586	Higher than Montreal
Cost of Living in Ottawa	CAD 1524	Higher than Montreal
Cost of Living in Edmonton	CAD 1409	Higher than Montreal
Cost of living in New York	CAD 2265	Higher than Montreal

Average Tuition Fees in Montreal

Students can budget more effectively for their preferred university by checking the average cost of tuition fees at universities in Montreal. Please note that tuition fees may change depending on the university, level of study and field of study. See the table below for a summary of some of the tuition fees at selected Montreal universities:

Name of University	Approx Tuition fees per year
McGill University	CAD 12250 – CAD 99500
University of Montreal	CAD 21720 – CAD 28250
Concordia University	CAD 9520 – CAD 37500
HEC Montreal	CAD 17280 – CAD 59000
LaSalle College – Montreal	CAD 2220 – CAD 64800

Relevant Read:

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Cost of Living in Stuttgart: A Comprehensive Guide	Cost of Living in China: A Comprehensive Guide on China’s

FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in Montreal. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.