Cost of Living in Montréal, Quebec
Since January 2021, residents of Montréal have faced significant increases in rent, groceries, and everyday expenses. Here's what the data shows.
📍 Montréal at a Glance
- •Most affordable major city — rent up 33% but still lowest in Canada
- •Hydro-Québec rates among the lowest in North America
- •Food prices up 25.4% — lowest food inflation in Canada
Quebec Cost Breakdown
Provincial figures apply across Quebec. City-specific data noted where available.
How Montréal Compares to the National Average
| Category | Montréal / Quebec | Canada (National) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (2BR) | +33% | +35% |
| Food prices | +25.4% | +26.3% |
| Shelter CPI | — | +33.2% |
| Overall inflation | — | +18.7% |
🏛️ Who's Responsible?
Cost of living is shaped by decisions made at all three levels of government. Housing affordability, taxation, transit, and local services are all within the power of elected and appointed officials.
Have you experienced these cost increases?
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Rate Montréal Public ServantsSource: Statistics Canada, CMHC. Baseline: January 2021. Last updated: July 2026. Figures represent cumulative change Jan 2021–Jul 2026. Provincial averages applied where city-specific data is unavailable. Full methodology →