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Cost of living in Montreal: Food, transport, and more
Discover the cost of living in Montreal, Canada. An affordable city that offers great opportunities for students, workers and expats.
Located on an island in the St. Lawrence River, this city in Quebec, Canada, is perfect for holidays, studying or remote work. But what’s the cost of living in Montreal? In this article, we’ll answer your doubts by analysing the main factors that influence the calculation, such as accommodation, food, transport, healthcare, internet connection and leisure activities.
You’ll be glad to know that rents here are lower than in other major cities like Toronto or Vancouver. So, if you’re considering moving here or just spending a few days, keep reading to learn the budget you’ll need for comfortable living.
Average accommodation costs in Montreal
When travelling or moving temporarily, whether you want to study in Canada or work remotely as a digital nomad, one of your first needs is accommodation.
The cost of living in Montreal, regarding rent, depends on your lifestyle. You can live independently in a private apartment or share a coliving space. Which would you choose? Here are some available options:
- Hotels: On Booking, you’ll find Travelodge by Wyndham in Chinatown from $81 (€95) per night for a double room, or Lexus Hotel in the Quartier des Spectacles from €62 ($71) per night.
- Hostel: On Booking, you can stay at Samesun Montreal Hotel & Hostel in a shared room from $30 (€25) per night, or at Capsule Hotel Montreal from $56 (€46) per night in a modern capsule.
- Furnished apartments: On Propestar, a one-bedroom flat costs $973 (€837) and a two-bedroom flat $1,190 (€1,023) monthly.
- Coliving: At Olympic Village, you can live in community. Private rooms cost from $640 (€550) monthly, all-inclusive.
- Airbnb: Apartments start from $96 (€83) per night for one-bedroom, or near the St. Lawrence River from $133 (€115).
How much does food cost in Montreal?
Montreal’s food cost varies depending on whether you shop at supermarkets or eat out daily. Walmart Supercentre is the most popular chain, offering affordable products and discounts. Here are some examples:
- Pasta (500 g): $2.27 (€1.95)
- Eggs (dozen): $4.30 (€3.70)
- Milk (1 L): $2.33 (€2.00)
- Beef (1 kg): $16.65 (€14.30)
- Chicken (1 kg): $10.95 (€9.40)
- Bread (loaf): $3.45 (€2.95)
- Apples (1 kg): $5.10 (€4.40)
- Bananas (1 kg): $2.70 (€2.30)
- Chocolate (bar): $2.97 (€2.55)
- Ground coffee (250 g): $7.50 (€6.45)
If you eat out, Montreal offers a wide range of traditional restaurants such as La Banquise (994 Rue Rachel E) or Schwartz’s Deli located in 3895 Boul. St-Laurent. Sample dishes include:
| Type of Meal | Dish | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese + coffee | $12 (€10) |
| Food | Poutine (chips, cheese curds, gravy) | $14 (€12) |
| Dinner | Smoked meat sandwich with salad and drink | $23 (€20) |
Typical restaurant menu in Montreal
Transport prices in Montreal
Transport strongly influences the cost of living in Montreal and is considered one of North America’s most efficient systems. You can move easily by metro, bus, bike, taxi, Uber or even buy a car.
How public transport works
STM (Société de transport de Montréal) manages metro and buses. The fast, punctual network links every important part of the city. Compared with New York or Paris, it’s cheaper: metro tickets cost $4.00 (€3.45) and monthly passes $100 (€86.50).
Taxi and Uber
Taxis start at $4.35 (€3.75) plus $2.05 (€1.70) per kilometre. A short downtown ride costs about $12.85 (€11.05). We recommend taxis for occasional use, as prices add up. Uber is also available, but slightly more expensive than taxis.
Cycling in Montreal
Montreal has one of North America’s best cycling networks, with more than 900 km of protected and recreational lanes connecting neighbourhoods, parks and universities. Cycling is popular in spring and summer thanks to BIXI bike sharing, costing $1.35 (€1.15) per 30 minutes or $20 (€18.40) monthly.
Buy a new vehicle
For long stays or exploring the country, you might consider buying a car. A popular choice is the Toyota Corolla, priced around $25,100 (€21,575) for the basic version. Extra costs include:
- Petrol: €1.60 ($1.86) per litre.
- Electric charge: $0.29 (€0.25) per kWh.
- Mandatory insurance: Basic civil liability and damage cover costs $855 (€735) yearly. Full coverage can reach $1,495 (€1,285).
Healthcare costs
Healthcare also affects Montreal’s cost of living. Quebec’s system is high quality and public, but free only for permanent residents. Foreigners must get private health insurance. Allianz Care Canada offers policies from $45 (€38) monthly for basic cover to $158 (€135) for full cover.
Without insurance, you’ll pay healthcare services directly. We don’t recommend this due to the high costs, as shown below:
| Medical services | Approximate cost without insurance |
|---|---|
| General medical consultation | $100–150 (€85–128) |
| Consultation with a specialist | $200 (€124) |
| Dentist consultation | $120 (€103) |
| Appendicitis surgery: | $15,000 (€12,892) |
| Paracetamol (500 mg): | $6.40 (€5.50) |
| Ibuprofen (400 mg): | $8.55 (€7.35) |
Healthcare prices in Montreal
Internet and call plan prices
Which internet connection do you need? Montreal’s digital services are high quality, but more expensive than in other countries, increasing living costs. Main providers include Bell, Rogers and Telus, offering:
- 100 Mbps internet: about $60 (€55) monthly.
- 500 Mbps internet: about $80 (€74) monthly.
- 1 Gbps internet: from $100 (€92) monthly.
- 20 GB plan: from $50 (€46) monthly.
- Unlimited plan: from $70 (€64) monthly.
The most affordable choice is Holafly’s eSIM for Canada if you’re staying short term. You’ll get unlimited data for the exact days you need. For longer stays, Holafly’s monthly plans offer flexible subscriptions without permanence.
If you choose the unlimited plan, you can connect several devices simultaneously from $50.50 monthly. The best part? Travel across 160+ destinations without changing your eSIM!
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Leisure activity costs in Montreal
Canada offers a high quality of life, stunning nature and endless activities. Montreal shines as a multicultural, artistic city with lots to do at reasonable prices. Top attractions include:
- Cinema: about $13 (€12) per ticket.
- Zoo (Biodôme or Ecomuseum): $20–25 (€18–23) per adult.
- Theatre: from $40 (€37).
- Streaming: Netflix costs $8.15 (€6.99) monthly.
- Notre-Dame Basilica: $15 (€14) entry to this 19th-century neo-Gothic church.
- Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: Free permanent collection, temporary exhibitions from $15 (€14).
- Saint Joseph’s Oratory: free entry.
- Mount Royal: free access to this famous hill with parks, lookouts and trails.
After reviewing Montreal’s living costs, you’ll need about $2,000–2,500 (€1,720–2,150) monthly. This covers mid-range accommodation, public transport, services, food and leisure.
Although not Canada’s cheapest city, it’s still more affordable than Toronto or Vancouver, making it an excellent choice for temporary stays. Would you move to Montreal?
FAQs about cost of living in Montreal
A one-bedroom flat costs $973 (€837) or a two-bedroom flat $1,190 (€1,023) monthly on Propestar.
Yes. Free healthcare is only for residents or permanent foreigners. We recommend private insurance to avoid paying per service.
The cost of living in Montreal stays higher than in other Canadian cities like Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, or Quebec City. On the other hand, it’s much cheaper than Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, or Calgary.
Yes. Montreal is safe with a low crime rate, tolerant atmosphere and cultural diversity, welcoming to foreigners.
