Thinking about what it costs to live in Montreal? Whether you’re budgeting your next move, rethinking your spending, or just trying to make peace with your grocery bill, it helps to have a clear picture of the essentials (and a few extras).
Using up-to-date data (as of July 2025), we’ve crunched the numbers to estimate what a single person needs to live reasonably in the city. This breakdown assumes you’re living alone, and not in a luxury condo or a shoebox apartment with four roommates. It includes rent, transportation, food, and some breathing room for going out, staying caffeinated, and occasionally pretending you can afford to party.
With that in mind, here’s where your money goes every month.
Rent – $1,690
This is, by far, your biggest monthly expense. According to Zumper, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Montreal is currently $1,690. That’s for a decent place on the island — not necessarily Plateau glam, but definitely livable.
For context, the median rent across all bedroom counts and property types is $1,808, which is still about 7% lower than the national average. Montreal’s rent remains more affordable than cities like Toronto or Vancouver, but prices here are creeping up fast.
Groceries – $400
Everyone’s food budget looks a little different, but a reasonable monthly estimate for one person is about $400. That works out to roughly $100 per week, which is enough to keep your pantry stocked with staples and maybe even a few luxury items (hello, $9 oat milk).
Whether or not you let things go bad in the fridge is up to you…
Utilities – $99
Even after you’ve paid rent, you’ll still need to keep the lights on, the water running, and the place warm in winter. Numbeo, the world’s largest crowd-sourced database focused on cost of living, lists the average cost of monthly utilities for a one-bedroom apartment in the city at around $99. That includes electricity, heating, cooling, and water.
If you’re living in an older building with electric baseboards or inefficient insulation, that number could spike in colder months.
Internet – $60
You’re going to want Wi-Fi for streaming, doomscrolling, and arguing on Reddit. Expect to pay around $60 per month for a standard plan, according to Numbeo.
Phone plan – $55
Canada’s phone plans are notoriously pricey, and Montreal is no exception. A typical mobile plan (with data) in Montreal costs about $55 per month, per Numbeo. You might be able to score a cheaper deal with a smaller provider, but that’s the general ballpark.
Transportation – $104.50
On July 1, the STM’s unlimited monthly OPUS pass for bus and metro travel across the island rose to $104.50 per month. If you’re downtown and transit-dependent, this is likely your best option.
Now, if you have a car, that number goes way up when you consider the cost of gas and insurance
Eating out – $200
Montreal’s restaurant scene is one of the best in the country. Whether it’s late-night poutine, $10 bánh mì, or a solid lunch special, dining out is part of the culture here.
And let’s be honest, you’re not going to cook every meal at home. Numbeo says the average restaurant meal costs $25. Assuming one or two outings per week (plus the odd $6 latte or $12 sandwich), $200 per month is a realistic budget for modest indulgence.
That’s assuming you’re being reasonable (no wine pairings or weekly tasting menus.)
Partying – $120
A night out in Montreal doesn’t always have to break the bank, but it can add up. If you go out a couple of times per month, expect to spend about $60 per night on drinks, cover, and tips. That works out to $120 a month, assuming you’re not doing bottle service at Bord’elle every weekend.
Thankfully, the city’s winter is harsh enough that it forces you to stay inside for a good chunk of the year.
Fitness – $55
A mid-range gym membership in Montreal will cost you about $55 per month. That’s for a spot with standard equipment, not boutique classes or fancy extras.
Coffee – $65
Assuming you grab a basic $3 coffee on most weekdays, that’s roughly $15 per week, or $65 per month. Good coffe is easy to come by in Montreal, so it’s easy to justify this expense — just maybe don’t start every day with a $7 matcha.
Extras – $100
Life happens. Haircuts, Ubers, prescription meds, toilet paper, birthday dinner, umbrellas. A $100 monthly cushion should cover most of the random but inevitable stuff that doesn’t fit neatly into a category.
Grand total: $2948.50 per month
So what’s the takeaway? Living solo in Montreal in 2025 isn’t exactly cheap, but it’s still more manageable than in cities like Toronto or Vancouver. In fact, according to a May report from the Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques (IRIS), the minimum after-tax income needed to live with dignity in Montreal jumped to $40,084 (after tax) in 2025.
So, if you’re earning under $3,000 a month, budgeting gets tight fast. And while your actual spending will depend on your habits and neighbourhood, this breakdown offers a realistic snapshot of what it takes to live comfortably without constantly saying no to lattes, nights out, or decent Wi-Fi.
The good news? With some planning (and maybe a roommate), Montreal is still one of the more liveable big cities in Canada. Just don’t forget to factor in the fun stuff — otherwise, what’s the point of living here?
