The second most populated metropolitan area in Canada, famous for affordability, good healthcare, as well as vast employment and entertainment opportunities, is home to more than 44,600 Americans. If you want to be one of them, calculate the cost of living in Montreal before packing up your bags and hiring an international moving company to help you relocate. This way, you will be able to tell how much money you need to be a true Montrealer.
When you decide to move to Montreal, you will settle in a very diverse and friendly location with a stable economy, low unemployment, and strong expat communities that will help you adjust. That’s why to help you speed up the relocation process, we answered the questions like Is it expensive to live in Montreal, and What is the average salary in Montreal.
There Are Things You Should Know Before Relocating to CA
There are many things you should know before undergoing the relocation process. If you want to avoid being overwhelmed by the moving stress, consider hiring professionals to help you move to MTL. While an overseas moving company is boxing up your belongings, you’ll have enough time not only to gather all the necessary documents but also to research your new home. MTL has a rich history, and there are plenty of things you should know about it, but some of the basics are:
- The metropolis is located in the Canadian province of Quebec,
- It is the second-most populous city in the country, counting more than 4,098,000 residents in the metro area,
- MTL is a highly diverse location with more than 1,722,000 residents being minorities, so be prepared for culture shock but also for the abundant offer of expats communities willing to help you adjust to a new environment,
- More than 66% of Montrealers speak french, so start thinking about all the ways you can break the language barrier when you relocate.
Can the USD Be Used in Canada for Paying
Even though you are relocating to a neighboring country, you should know CA has its own currency, and you will eventually have to use it when paying. Exchanging the United States Dollar (USD) for the Canadian Dollar (CAD) should be one of the things to think about as soon as you settle in. There might be places where you can pay in USD, but it is more efficient to have CAD on your hands.
Compare Montreal Cost of Living With Other Cities
You might not be moving across the world, but you are still settling in a different country, and choosing the right location is a part of every move. If you are torn between some of the best places to live in Canada, and you can’t decide which to pick, compare them, and it will be easy to spot the perfect one.
If you are thinking about living in Toronto, know that the most populous metropolis in CA is more expensive when it comes to utilities and housing. Basically, data from the website Numbeo shows that the overall cost of living in Toronto is higher than the one in MTL. Furthermore, if relocating to Ottawa is something you think about, you’ll be expected to pay more for housing and utilities as well. Relocating to Vancouver will also be more expensive in terms of accommodation and bills.
All of this can clearly answer the question Is it expensive to live in Montreal compared to other cities in CA. That’s why if you are looking for one of the cheapest places to live in Canada, MTL can be a great spot to settle in. To be completely sure you made the right decision, look at the table below to compare these cities’ housing, utility, and transportation costs.
| Location | Utilities | Transportation Costs | Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | $130 | $125 | $670 |
| Ottawa | $120 | $95 | $260 |
| Vancouver | $70 | $85 | $660 |
Calculate How Much Money You Need for Utilities Every Month
No matter if you are moving overseas or just across the border to CA, you cannot escape paying utilities every month. Becoming Montrealer means that you will be expected to pay roughly $75 for basic utilities like cooling, water, garbage, heating, and electricity every month.
Furthermore, one of the things to consider when relocating to another country is how to stay in touch with friends. That’s where having unlimited internet data comes in handy, and that will be an additional $50. Also, in the first few weeks, you might need to get a prepaid mobile tariff that costs around $0.30 per minute until you get a plan with a discount.
Groceries Are an Unavoidable Part of Overall Expenses
Figuring out the cost of living in Canada doesn’t necessarily mean you have figured out all MTL prices. The city is generally more affordable than the rest of the country, meaning that the groceries are cheaper. Here you can find plenty of stores with organic food but also local supermarkets. According to data from StatCan, a household spends around $5,800 a year on groceries in MTL, or around $480 every month.
Dining Out Will Affect Your Expenses
MTL might not be one of the best vegan cities in the world, but it surely has a lot of different dining out options that will impress even the pickiest eaters. That’s why be prepared to spend around $11 for an inexpensive meal. If you are relocating for love and want to surprise your partner with a three-course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant, you’ll need roughly $52.
Housing Will Play a Major Role in the Overall Cost of Living in Montreal Canada
When you figure out how to immigrate to Canada, it is time to think about housing. Are you renting or buying a place in MTL? Because if you want to become a homeowner, you should expect to pay, on average, $250 for a square foot, according to Numbeo. On the other hand, if you want to rent a place, a one-bedroom apartment will knock $640 out of your pocket every month, while for a three-bedroom spot, you need around $1,100. However, the prices will vary depending on the location.
There Are More Than a Few Affordable Neighborhoods in the City
Some of the best neighborhoods in Montreal are also some of the most affordable ones. If you are planning on renting, make sure you check out some locations that website Zumper puts among the most the cheapest:
- Vieux-Rosemont – rent $750
- Louis-Hebert – rent $800
- Cartierville – rent $855
MTL Also Has High-End Housing Options
Those that have no problem spending a bit more on rent should look up high-end, luckily, MTL also has some of those, and you should check out:
- Ville-Marie – $1,555
- Le Sud-Ouest – $1,600
- Parc-Extension – $1,675
There Are Other Everyday Life Costs You Have to Think About
Balancing finances when relocating abroad means you have to take into consideration every day-to-day expense if you want to avoid dipping into savings. However, keep in mind that costs can vary depending on the place you choose to live in, your lifestyle, and interests.
Transportation Will Affect Your Cost of Living in Montreal Every Month
Have you decided on shipping your car to MTL? If so, the gas should be included in your monthly budget. Data from the website Numbeo shows that a gallon of gasoline is around $3.40. However, if you prefer to use public transportation, know that you have buses and metro at your disposal, and their monthly pass is around $65.
Healthcare Is a Necessary Part of Your Expenses
No matter if you are relocating alone or you are moving with your family, health should be on the top of your priority list. Luckily, CA has universal medical care that allows residents to receive affordable care. According to the website Expatistan, you’ll need $80 for a short visit to a private doctor. When it comes to meds, antibiotics are around $11, while cold medicine like Tylenol is approximately $8.
Figure Out How Much Does the Average Montrealer Spend on Entertainment
There are many things to do in Montreal, no matter what your preferences are. For example, if you are a movie fan buying two tickets will set you back for $20, while if you prefer theater, be prepared to pay $110 for two best seats. If you are more of a gym rat, a monthly membership in the nearby workout spot will knock $38 out of your wallet while you’ll need approximately $15 for renting a tennis court. MTL is buzzing with entertainment, check the video below, and you might find some activities you’ll like to try as soon as you relocate.
Figure Out What Is the Average Salary in Montreal Before Moving Internationally
When you are figuring out how to live in another country, having steady incomes will be a thing to think about. Luckily, you choose to settle in MTL, and even though this is not one of the richest cities in the world, it has the second-largest economy in CA based on GDP. The metropolis is known as one of the country’s tech, finance, and culture centers, so finding a dream job won’t be mission impossible.
Furthermore, when looking for work, you should know what are the average salaries so that you could negotiate your own. Website neuvoo states that yearly earnings in MTL are $45,825, meaning that Montrealers earn around $3,820 per month and roughly $880 each week. However, your earnings will depend on the entry-level in the company.
Know What Is Considered a Good Salary in Montreal Before Relocating
When relocating internationally, you will have to accustom to different standards even if you are only crossing a border to CA. A good salary here will be enough to cover all of your expenses and leave some cash to put in a savings account. The amount of money will vary depending on your lifestyle, desires, and needs. Nevertheless, a survey conducted by Leger, a marketing company, shows that Canadians think they need around $144,000 a year for a more comfortable life.
You Can Land One of the Top-Paying Jobs in MTL
Quebec as a province has lower than the national unemployment, so if you apply some of the tips for learning a new language and master French, finding a job in MTL will be a piece of cake. However, if you want to land one of the highly paid jobs, look into the tech industry. Data from the research done by Indeed shows that almost 18% of all Canadian tech jobs are in MTL, and they are among the top-paying ones:
- Javascript Developer earns $93,600 annually
- Software Architect has a yearly income of around $105,070
- Application Developer earns $87,890 a year.
When you get the desired position, don’t forget that there are more than a few essential relocation questions to ask an employer before you officially start working. For example, if you are relocating on a low budget, ask if they are willing to cover a part of the expenses, furthermore, ask if they have a program that will help you adjust to a new country and company.
There Are Also Moving Abroad Expenses to Think About
Are you looking for the easiest way to move abroad? Hiring an overseas shipping company to do all the grunt work instead of you is the way to go. Professionals will not only provide you with basic international moving services but also with packing ones. When you hire movers, all you have to do is decide what to pack and what to donate or throw away, the rest is up to them. Furthermore, part of the additional services reliable movers offer is vehicle shipping overseas, so if you opt for bringing a car with you, they will take care of it.
However, all of this assistance comes with a price, and if you handle your finances long before the move, you will be able to afford it. When it comes to international moving to Montreal, the costs will depend on your current US location. Website WorldFreightRates states that if you are relocating from New York to MTL, you will be expected to pay around $470, and if you are shipping from LA, your overall expenses can come up to $2,750.
Becoming Montrealer Will Be Good for Your Budget
While preparing for the relocation, you might wonder Is Montreal a good place to live. When you do the research and compare the prices in the metropolis with other cities in the country, you’ll see that becoming a Montrealer will be a great decision. Not only is MTL affordable when it comes to housing, utilities, and groceries, but it is also an excellent spot to land a dream job. Add vast entertainment opportunities on top of that, and you got yourself a great place to call home. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to pack up your bags, hire an international moving company, and head out to MTL.
