What is the cost of living in Montreal?

Question

I currently live in the US and plan on moving to Montreal. What is the cost of living (utilities, electric, trash, etc.) like?

Answer 1

Well it depends on what part of the city. I lived in NDG for 6 years, its mostly English speaking, close to 3 Metros and has LOTS of bus routes. My appartment was $485/month with heat and hot water included. NDG, Snowdon, Vendome and Montreal Ouest will run you between $400-$1200/month for a 4 1/2 (usually two bedroom). The East end, like the Plateau is more french and more expensive.

A bus pass is about $80/month now (check out the STM website for more info), most places include heat and hot water in the rent.

Make sure you go to the website for the Regie du Logement before looking at places as rental laws in Quebec are vastly different than anywhere else, like its illegal to ask for anything more than 1st month rent when moving in.

Food is cheap in Montreal, myself and my boyfriend averaged $400 in groceries a month and we ate WELL! That included wine.

Electric bills for 2 people in a 4 1/2 will go between $30 - $50/ month for most people I know who have heat and hot water included in rent. Gas bills come every two months and if you have a gas stove it likely $40 every bill.

Parking permits and paid parking is a lot, but not like Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary.

When I lived alone, with one large aquarium EVERYTHING in a month cost me $700. When I moved in with my boyfriend, we had 11 aquariums, two computers that never got shut off, 2 dogs and 2 cats our monthly cost for EVERYTHING was $1200 per month.