Montreal

Typical rents (2025)

• 1-bedroom (called a 3 1/2) downtown or on the Plateau: $1,700-$2,100
• 1-bedroom in Rosemont, Verdun or Villeray: $1,400-$1,700
• 3-bedroom (5 1/2): $2,200-$3,600
• Room in a shared flat: $700-$1,000

Apartments are described by the number of rooms: a 3 1/2 has a living room, kitchen and bedroom plus a bathroom (the half).

Rules and tips

• Most leases run from 1 July, known as Moving Day, so the busiest search period is spring.
• Landlords cannot legally ask for a security deposit in Quebec.
• Disputes go to the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL).

Monthly budget

A single person renting a 1-bedroom can live on about $2,800-$3,500 a month, and students sharing a flat often manage on $1,800-$2,300. A family of four typically needs $5,500-$7,000.

• Groceries: $400-$550 per person
• Utilities: $80-$150 (Hydro-Québec has some of North America's lowest electricity prices)
• Internet: $55-$85
• Mobile: $35-$60

Childcare

Subsidised CPE daycare costs about $9.35 a day, among the cheapest in North America, although waitlists are long. Register on La Place 0-5 as early as possible, even during pregnancy.

Health costs

Everyone covered by RAMQ must also have prescription drug insurance. If your employer does not provide a plan, you join the public plan and pay a premium through your Quebec tax return.

Taxes

Quebec adds 5% GST plus 9.975% QST, and Quebec income tax is higher than in other provinces.

Main industries

• Aerospace: Bombardier, Pratt and Whitney Canada, CAE and Airbus Canada.
• AI and tech: the Mila AI institute, plus offices of Google, Microsoft and many startups.
• Video games and visual effects: Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Games, EA and dozens of studios.
• Life sciences, finance and engineering: including National Bank, Desjardins and CGI.
• Education and research: four major universities.

Salaries

Salaries are typically 10% to 20% lower than Toronto, but lower living costs balance this. Software developers earn around $75,000-$120,000. Quebec's minimum wage is $16.10 an hour from May 2025.

Language

French is the official language of work in Quebec. Many tech and gaming jobs operate in English, but French is often required for client-facing, public sector and healthcare roles.

STM metro and buses

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) runs 4 metro lines (green, orange, yellow and blue) and an extensive bus network, including night buses. Pay with an OPUS card, a phone or contactless card.

• A monthly pass for zone A (the island of Montreal) costs about $100.
• Students aged 18 to 25 and seniors pay reduced fares.

REM and commuter trains

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is a new automated light rail line linking downtown to the South Shore, with branches to the West Island and the airport under construction. exo commuter trains serve the suburbs.

Cycling and walking

BIXI bike share runs from April to November, and the city has hundreds of kilometres of bike paths, including the Réseau Express Vélo (REV). In winter, the underground city (RÉSO) connects many downtown buildings.

Driving

Winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December to 15 March. Parking rules change for snow removal, so watch for orange signs.

Everyday life

Montreal has a relaxed, European feel. People linger on café terraces, cycle everywhere in summer and head to neighbourhood bars (called brasseries or 5 à 7 happy hours) after work.

Festivals

• Montreal International Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs in summer.
• Osheaga music festival and the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
• Igloofest and Montréal en Lumière to celebrate winter.

Food

Try bagels in Mile End, smoked meat, poutine and the city's many excellent restaurants, which are often cheaper than in Toronto. Bring your own wine (apportez votre vin) restaurants are a local tradition.

Outdoors

Mount Royal Park is the city's green heart, with trails, a lake and skating in winter. Ski hills in the Laurentians and Eastern Townships are about 1 hour away.