Quebec City is a popular destination for both students and professionals in Canada. The cost of living here is a little bit higher than in various other cities around the country. For the past couple of years, it has become more budget-friendly, especially for international students who are living in Quebec City for their higher education purposes.
Quebec City 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 living standard. If you want to know more about the average cost of living in Quebec City, this blog is perfect for you. Make sure you read until the end to know more.
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Cost of Living in Quebec City Overview
The average cost of living in Quebec City for one person excluding housing rent according to the Numbeo is around CAD 1,395. If we consider the apartment rent it is around CAD 1,200 to CAD 1,800. However, the living expenses in Quebec City can vary depending on the standard of living, region, and preference of things.
The cost of living in Quebec City includes some costs such as housing rent, food, groceries, utilities, transportation, entertainment, etc. Here, we have given the average cost of living in diverse categories for individuals looking to live in Quebec City. Please take a look at the overview:
Also read: Cost of Living in Slovakia: A Comprehensive Guide
Costs of Accommodation in Quebec City
Accommodation is undoubtedly the most important thing you need to take into consideration while calculating the cost of living in Quebec City. 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 1,262.
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 Three-bedroom | in the City Centre | CAD 3,007 |
Apartment of One-bedroom | Outside of Centre | CAD 1,285 |
Apartment of Three-bedroom | Outside of Centre | CAD 2,168 |
Cost of a Utility in Quebec City
The monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Quebec City could be around CAD 161. It depends on the use and size of the apartment. Budgeting for utility expenses is essential when planning your monthly cost of living in Quebec City as it is a primary part of it. An overview of the average cost of utility bills in Quebec City is given in the table below:
Utility Type | Utility Name | Approx. Cost |
Basic Utility Bills | Water, Electricity, Heating, Cooling, and Garbage | CAD 161 |
Monthly Plan Mobile Phone | including Calls and 10GB+ Data | CAD 50.88 |
Internet | Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly | CAD 71.53 |
Cost of Grocery in Quebec City
Where you shop, the good grade of the products and your meal preferences are factors that can affect the price of groceries in Quebec City. The cost of groceries there can have a direct impact on the overall cost of living in Quebec City.
The price of groceries in Quebec City is relatively cheap compared to many other major cities in Canada, but it is essential to compare grocery prices to get the most suitable value for your money. In the following table, we have provided an overview of average grocery expenses in Quebec City:
Grocery Item | Approx Cost |
1 litre of Regular Milk | CAD 2.50 |
1kg white Rice | CAD 6.81 |
500g Bread (White) | CAD 3.89 |
1kg Apples | CAD 5.28 |
1kg Oranges | CAD 6.11 |
1kg Banana | CAD 2.18 |
1kg Tomato | CAD 6.40 |
1kg Onion | CAD 3.06 |
1kg Potato | CAD 2.99 |
Lettuce (1 head) | CAD 3.15 |
1 litre Water bottle | CAD 2.33 |
Also read: Cost of Living in Indiana: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Restaurant Food Costs in Quebec City
The cost of eating out in Quebec City can vary according to the type of restaurant, its location, the cuisine and the menu offered. Eating out in Quebec City can be more expensive than cooking in your room and can affect your budget for the cost of living in Quebec City. Here’s a rough estimate of the average cost of a meal at restaurants in Quebec City:
Type of Restaurant | Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant |
Meal for 2 person (in a Mid-range Restaurant) | CAD 90 |
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | CAD 25 |
Equal meal. to McDonald’s | CAD 15 |
Cappuccino | CAD 5.88 |
Transportation costs in Quebec City
Quebec City has an extensive public transportation system, including City Ferries, Trams, Taxis & Shuttles, buses, and metro (subway). Quebec City has a reliable public bus system with stops spread throughout the city, including in Old Quebec and near major tourist attractions.
It’s necessary to evaluate transport costs in Quebec City because they have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in Quebec City. Take an overview of the following table for the cost of transportation around the Quebec City area:
Mode of Transport | Approx Cost |
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport | CAD 94 |
Ticket for Local Public transport | CAD 3.75 |
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 1 km | CAD 3.11 |
Normal Tariff of taxi for 1 hour Waiting | CAD 42 |
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol | CAD 1.70 |
Also read: Cost of Living in Rotterdam: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Miscellaneous Costs in Quebec City
In addition to the above categories of cost of living in Quebec City, 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 |
Pair of Jeans | CAD 104 |
Fitness Club | CAD 47.44 |
Summer Dress | CAD 55 |
Pair of Sports shoes | CAD 132 |
Doctor’s visit | CAD 95 |
Cost of Living in Quebec City Compared to Other Cities
Quebec City is generally considered a relatively affordable country to live in compared to some cities in Canada. When comparing the cost of living in Quebec City 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 Quebec City compares to other cities like Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Ontario and Alberta. 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 Quebec City |
Cost of Living in Montreal | CAD 1374 (excluding rent) | Higher than Quebec City |
Cost of Living in Vancouver | CAD 1561 (excluding rent) | Higher than Quebec City |
Cost of Living in Calgary | CAD 1,590 (excluding rent) | Higher than Quebec City |
Cost of Living in Ontario | CAD 3072 (including ret) | Higher than Quebec City |
Cost of Living in Alberta | CAD 2592 (including ret) | Higher than Quebec City |
Average Tuition Fees in Quebec City
Students can budget more effectively for their preferred university by checking the average cost of tuition fees at universities in Quebec City. Please note that tuition fees may change depending on the university you select, level of study and field of study. See the table below for a summary of some of the tuition fees at selected Quebec City 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 |
Laval University | CAD 15430 – CAD 24730 |
University of Sherbrooke | CAD 22480 – CAD 27880 |
Quebec is well-known for comparatively affordable tuition fees and living expenses. Hence, it is natural for students to explore Canadian cities like Quebec, which provides excellent education opportunities.
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FAQs
Answer: The average monthly cost of living in Quebec City for an individual is roughly CAD 1,395, without including the rent. The estimated cost of housing rent ranges from CAD 1,200 to CAD 1,800.
Answer: The average monthly cost of living in Quebec City is around CAD 1,395 excluding rent whereas, the average cost of living in Toronto is around CAD 1512 to maintain the same level of living that you can have in Quebec City. It means Quebec City is cheaper than Toronto.
Answer: The average cost of living for one person in Quebec City excluding rent is around CAD 1,395. It is affordable compared to the rest of Canada and yet you can live a good quality of life here.
So, this was all about the cost of living in Quebec City. 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.