Montreal is Canada’s second-largest city and the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec. It is a city with a French influence, owing to its French colonial history from the 16th century.
If you are considering moving to Montreal, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in the City of a Hundred Steeples.
Quick Montreal Facts:
- Population: 1.78 million (2017), with 4,098,927 in the metropolitan area.
- Official Language: French (de facto) with many other languages spoken including English, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, Chinese languages, Creole and Greek.
- GDP Per Capita: $48,200 (2020)
- Lowest temperature: The lowest temperature ever recorded in Montreal was -37.8°C in 1957.
- Currency: Canadian Dollar ($, CAD). As of early 2023, $1 USD = C$1.36, €1 EUR = C$1.44, £1 = C$1.64, $1 AUD = C$0.91
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Montreal
From City | Estimated Cost |
---|---|
New York City, USA | $3,000 |
Tokyo, Japan | $7,000 |
Sydney, Australia | $6,500 |
Toronto, Canada | $2,000 |
Sao Paulo, Brazil | $5,500 |
Mumbai, India | $6,000 |
Johannesburg, South Africa | $5,000 |
Moscow, Russia | $4,500 |
Beijing, China | $7,000 |
London, UK | $3,000 |
2. Montreal Housing Costs
Compared with other major cities in the world, house and flat prices in Montreal are exceptionally reasonable. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.
Monthly Rental Prices in Montreal:
- 1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: C$1,450+
- 1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: C$1,150+
- 3 bedroom flat in City Centre: C$2,500+
- 3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: C$1,800+
Montreal Home Purchase Prices:
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: C$8,300+
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: C$4,700+
Montreal Housing Cost Comparison:
This is how rents in Montreal compare with other cities around the globe.
- London is 57.9% more expensive
- New York is 71.1% more expensive
- Los Angeles is 60.7% more expensive
- Toronto is 40.5% more expensive
- Sydney is 48.4% more expensive
- Paris is 34.4% more expensive
- Dubai is 39.7% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs:
- Share a Flat or House: Montreal has both houses and apartments which offer house/flat shares. With a house/flat share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. Remember a shared flat or room usually means a shared bathroom as well. Have a look at the following sites to find house or flat share which suits you – RoomLaLa, Roommate and Craigslist.
- Different Areas – Different Prices: Like all cities, Montreal has its desirable areas and less desirable areas and obviously, the rents reflect this difference. The west side of Montreal tends to be more anglophile, while the east side is essentially French. Plateau Mont Royal is the place that many artists call home and rents are low. It’s also home to Parc Lafontaine which is a favourite with locals during the winter and the summer. Mile End is a multicultural area which boasts that it has some of the best restaurants in the world. The rent here is also very reasonable.
3. Montreal Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Montreal prides itself on its high culinary standards. The city also has markets which sell high-quality fresh food all year – even in the depths of winter.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: C$20.00 – C$25.00
- Takeout Coffee: C$4.70 – C$5.00
- Bottle of Coke: C$2.40 – C$2.75
- 1L of Milk: C$2.85 – C$3.00
- Loaf of Bread: C$3.80 – C$4.00
- 12 Eggs: C$4.00 – C$4.50
- 1kg Chicken: C$15.80 – C$20.00
- 1kg Beef: C$17.50 – C$25.00
- 1kg Apples: C$4.20 – C$5.00
- 1kg White Rice: C$4.00 – C$6.00
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.
- New York restaurants are 33.8% more expensive and groceries are 36.3% more expensive than Montreal.
- London restaurants are 18.3% more expensive and groceries are 12.2% cheaper than Montreal.
- Los Angeles restaurants are 26.8% more expensive and groceries are 17.2% more expensive than Montreal.
- Toronto restaurants are 11.5% more expensive and groceries are 6.2% cheaper than Montreal.
- Sydney restaurants are 12.8% more expensive and groceries are 18.2% more expensive than Montreal.
- Paris restaurants are 8.6% more expensive and groceries are 16.7% more expensive than Montreal.
- Dubai restaurants are 7.1% more expensive and groceries are 30% cheaper than Montreal.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:
- Know Your Supermarkets: For those who love food markets, go to Jean Talon Market in Little Italy and enjoy browsing around its 300 stalls. Other markets to visit are Atwater, Lachine and Maisonneuve Market. IGA is an upmarket supermarket chain with a massive frozen food section. Provigo is another high-end supermarket chain selling great quality produce. Metro is a large food chain, with cheaper prices but a limited selection of food, but it’s open until late every night. Costco is more of a warehouse than a supermarket but it’s a great place to bulk buy.
- Find Cheap Eats: With a little bit of research, you will find restaurants which offer good but inexpensive food, either every day or at certain times of the day. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Montreal Eater, Thrillist, Trip Advisor, MTL Blog and Hostel World.
4. Montreal Alcohol Costs
Montreal has an excellent selection of bars, clubs and restaurants. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.
- Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: C$7.50 – C$8.00
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: C$8.00 – C$8.50
- Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: C$3.20 – C$3.50
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: C$3.70 – C$4.00
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: C$17.00 – C$18.00
How To Drink For Less in Montreal:
- Keep an eye on the local papers, billboards and websites for specials.
- There are many bars, clubs and restaurants that offer cheap drinks at certain times of the day or week. Have a look at the following sites to see what’s on offer in Montreal – Four Square, MTL Blog, Yelp and Montreal Eater.
5. Montreal Transportation Fares
The Island of Montreal has a relatively reliable public transport system, run by STM. It operates both buses and a metro system. The north and south shore suburbs are served by AMT for travelling by train and RTL for buses.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- Adult single – C$3.50
- One-day pass – C$10.50
- Weekly pass – C$25.75
- Monthly season ticket for bus, subway, streetcar and train – C$94.00
How To Save Money on Public Transport:
- Group and family day pass available at weekends and public holidays
- Children under 5 are free
- Reduced fare passes for children and retired people e.g. 4-month pass is C$197.00
- Buy a bike. Montreal is a bike-friendly city with lots of dedicated cycling lanes.
- Walk. If you live close to where you work, then enjoy the walk.
6. Cost of Internet in Montreal
Internet in Canada is more expensive than in the UK but cheaper than in the US. Pay-as-you-go plans are generally much more expensive in Canada than in other countries and, service providers often charge you for incoming calls. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:
- Bell: C$55.00 a month (Fiber broadband up to 10Mbps)
- Virgin: C$40.00 a month (Standard broadband up to 50Mbps)
- Primus: C$41.95 a month (Standard broadband up to 100Mbps)
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Winters in Montreal are very cold and long. There are an average of 109 days a year where there is more than 1cm of snow on the ground. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of -9°C. Summers are sunny and pleasant, if a little humid at times. The hottest month of the summer is July, with an average daily temperature of 21°C. August is the wettest month, where an average of 100mm of rain falls.
Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: C$80.00 – C$90.00
- Summer Dress: C$50.00 – C$65.00
- Running Shoes (Trainers): C$120.00 – C$130.00
- Business Shoes: C$150.00 – C$160.00
- Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): C$120.00
- Deodorant: C$5.00
- Shampoo: C$5.00
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): C$3.50
- Gym Membership: C$40.00 per month
- Movie (cinema) Ticket: C$15.00
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Montreal
Everyone in Canada drives on the right. Many people choose to drive to and from work in Montreal. There is heavy traffic during rush hour and bridges are often closed for maintenance which adds to the congestion.
If you’re moving to Montreal from within Canada, your Canadian license is valid for 180 days. After that time, you must apply for a Quebec Driving License. If you are moving to Montreal from another country, then you may be able to exchange your license without taking a driving test. This depends on which country you are relocating from. If your country isn’t on the list then you will need to take a driving test.
Another route is to get International Driving Permit (IDP) before you leave your home country. IDPs are valid for 12 months and your license will be in English and French.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Montreal:
- Volkswagen Golf: C$30,000+
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): C$1.76
- Vehicle Permit: C$32
- Other Fees: Go to other costs for details of other fees, many of which depend on the type of car you own
Source: Expatistan, CAA
Ways To Save Money on Driving in Montreal:
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld, AMT, Kangaride, Rideshare or Craigslist
- Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber.
9. Taxes in Montreal
No matter where you live in Canada, you will pay Federal Tax and then you will pay Provincial Tax which varies from province to province. To learn more about the different taxes go to Easy Expat and the Canadian Revenue Agency.
GST is 5% in Montreal, plus a provincial sales tax of 9.975% (this is the same throughout Quebec). This tax is added to most goods and services. It is not included in the marked price. Tax is added at the checkout and itemised at the bottom of your bill.
If you decide to buy a house or flat in Montreal, you will be subject to provincial land transfer tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in.
10. Flight Costs from Toronto
If you do make the move to Montreal, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:
- New York: C$155
- Los Angeles: C$262
- London: C$500
- Vancouver: C$95
- Dubai: C$750
- Sydney: C$800
- Melbourne: C$1,000
- Cape Town: C$960
- Hong Kong: C$1,060
Other Tips on Moving to Montreal:
The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Montreal but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Moving to Montreal Alone
Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Montreal.
- Meetups: Montreal has lots of free meetup groups you can find at Meetup. Find groups for start-ups, learning languages, ice hockey fans and more.
- Attend Local Events: There’s always a lot going on in Montreal. Discover local events through sites such as Trip Advisor, To Europe and Beyond, AirBnB and MTL Blog.
12. Moving to Montreal with a Family
Montreal has a lot to offer families all year. People do tend to hibernate a little during the very cold weather but there are lots of winter sports out there for the family to enjoy together.
Here’s some extra food for thought.
- New Parents (or parents to be): Have a look at the following sites to see what groups are available for new parents or parents-to-be – Birds and Bees and Prenatal Directory.
- Live in a Family-friendly Area: Montreal has many areas which attract families. At the top end of the scale is Westmount which has been the home of wealthy British immigrants since the 19th Century. There are some excellent schools in the area as well as boutiques and top-class restaurants. Outremont is the French equivalent of Westmount, with good schools, restaurants and other amenities. Anjou is a cheaper suburb and has a variety of housing to suit young families and a selection of schools.
- Find Things To Do With The Kids: Travel Mamas, 10 Best, Montreal Families, Local Montreal Tours, Family Days Out and Mommy Poppins all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.
13. Moving to Montreal for Work
Moving to a new city for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
Montreal is an important financial centre in Canada. It also has the largest inland port in the world and a booming tourism industry. Other areas of employment include media, IT, education, healthcare and construction.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary: Salaries in Montreal are not as high as in other major cities in the world, but the cost of living is much lower which compensates for it. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How to Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Montreal, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Workopolis, Indeed, Monster, Career Builder and Job Bank. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to Montreal from Australia
There’s a large group of Australians living in Montreal. Here are a few things to consider if you are thinking of joining them.
- Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Montreal with the size of a city in Australia, the closest would be a city midway between the size of Adelaide and Perth. If you look at the whole Montreal metro, then you would be looking at a city slightly smaller than Sydney.
- Join Expat Groups: Internations and Expat.com offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Montreal.
15. Moving to Montreal from the United States
It’s estimated that there are nearly 45,000 eligible US voters living in Montreal, which makes it the city with the fourth largest population of American overseas citizens. Here are a few bonus tips for those of you considering joining your fellow Americans.
- Size: If you look at the population of Montreal and compare it with a city in the States, the closest in size would be a city a little larger than Houston. If you look at the population of the whole metropolitan area, then a city to match its population size would be Los Angeles.
- Expat Groups: If you want to meet up with fellow Americans, have look at the following sites – Internations and Meetup.
16. Moving to Montreal from the United Kingdom
Montreal is a popular place for Brits to live and work. If you’re considering it, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: If you compare the population size of Montreal with a city in the UK, you would need to look at a city which is one and a half times the size of Birmingham.
- Expat Groups: If you would like to meet other Brits living in Montreal, have a look at the following sites – Internations and Meetup.
Read our full guide on Moving To Canada From The UK.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Montreal you can start by comparing moving quotes here.