Montreal vs Quebec City Cost of Living (2026)
Montreal is about 35% more expensive than Quebec City, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,700 a month in Montreal vs $1,200 in Quebec City.
The Verdict
Montreal / month
$2,682
Quebec City / month
$2,120
Rent, groceries, transit, utilities, dining and gym for one person.
Salary match: what you'd need to earn
Salary in Montreal
$100,000
Take-home $69,585 · $5,799/mo
Needed in Quebec City
$74,287
Take-home $53,539 · $4,462/mo
To keep the same lifestyle in Quebec City you'd need $25,713 less a year (−26%).
Take-home is after 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP/QPP and EI for an employee. Cost of living weighs rent, groceries and transit.
Expense Breakdown
Average Rent
1-Bed City Center
Montreal
$1,700
Quebec City
$1,200
Groceries
Monthly Basket (1 Person)
Montreal
$400
Quebec City
$390
Transportation
Monthly Transit Pass
Montreal
$97
Quebec City
$90
Utilities
Electricity, Heat, Water
Montreal
$160
Quebec City
$150
Dining Out
Est. Monthly Spend
Montreal
$280
Quebec City
$250
Gym Membership
Monthly Fee
Montreal
$45
Quebec City
$40
Which City Should You Choose?
Montreal, QC: A bilingual cultural capital with relatively affordable rent for a major metro and a vibrant arts scene.
Quebec City, QC: Quebec's historic provincial capital, cheaper than Montreal with a strong government job base.
Estimates are based on 2026 average listings and public cost-of-living indices for a single-person household; actual costs vary by neighbourhood and lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montreal more expensive than Quebec City?
Yes. Montreal costs about 35% more than Quebec City for a single person, based on 2026 rent, groceries and transit. A 1-bedroom rents for about $1,700 a month in Montreal vs $1,200 in Quebec City.
Is it cheaper to live in Montreal or Quebec City?
Quebec City is roughly 26% cheaper overall once you weigh rent, groceries and transit, based on 2026 estimates.
How much more rent will I pay in Montreal vs Quebec City?
A typical 1-bedroom city-centre rental runs $1,700/month in Montreal versus $1,200/month in Quebec City.
What salary do I need in Quebec City to match my Montreal lifestyle?
A $100,000 salary in Montreal is roughly equivalent to $74,287 in Quebec City once you adjust for the local cost of living.
Is Quebec City a good place to move to from Montreal?
Quebec's historic provincial capital, cheaper than Montreal with a strong government job base. Compare the category breakdown above against your own budget before deciding.
Plan your move
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