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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Cost of living in Montreal, Canada (2026): cost index 104 (-2 vs national avg), rent $1,700/mo, median income $66,000/yr. Rent takes 31% of gross income. Full breakdown vs Quebec peers below.
Cost of living in Montreal, Canada (2026): cost index 104 (-2 vs national avg), rent $1,700/mo, median income $66,000/yr. Rent takes 31% of gross income. Full breakdown vs Quebec peers below.
Montreal: cost index 104 (-2 vs national avg 106), rent $1,700/month.
Quebec region average cost index: 100. Montreal is +4 vs region peers.
Quality of life: 64/100 — safety 64, healthcare 76, walkability 78.
Safety score: 64/100 (crime rate 48.5/1k). National average: 63/100.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montreal | 104 | $1,700 | $66,000 |
| 2 | Quebec City | 96 | $1,350 | $63,500 |
| 3 | Laval | 101 | $1,500 | $67,500 |
The conventional wisdom says one thing. The data says another: Montreal has a cost index of 104 — 2 points below the Canada national average of 106. Median income is $66,000 with rent at $1,700/month, putting the rent-to-income ratio at 31%. Financially, that's significant.
On quality of life, Montreal scores a composite score of 64/100 — reflecting its safety (64), healthcare (76), and walkability (78) metrics. Layer in taxes, though, and the math changes. affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Canada is a good example of that tension.
Montreal — cost index 104, rent $1,700/mo, income $66,000, QoL 64/100.
Quebec City — cost index 96, rent $1,350/mo, income $63,500, QoL 70/100.
Laval — cost index 101, rent $1,500/mo, income $67,500, QoL 61/100.
Montreal has a cost index of 104 (national avg: 106). Median rent is $1,700/month, median income $66,000/year, giving a rent-to-income ratio of 31%.
The Quebec region of average QoL score is 65/100. Montreal leads with 64/100, reflecting safety, healthcare access, walkability, and green space.
Our index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Sub-categories cover housing, food, transport, utilities, and healthcare. Data sources include Statistics Canada, CMHC, CRA.
Montreal: cost index 104, rent $1,700/mo, income $66,000/yr, QoL 64/100. Quebec City: cost index 96, rent $1,350/mo, income $63,500/yr, QoL 70/100.
This analysis uses data from Statistics Canada, CMHC, CRA to rank cities in Canada. The cost of living index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Quality of life scores combine safety, healthcare, walkability, air quality, green space, and transit metrics. Salary ranges use national occupation data adjusted for local cost differences. Data is updated regularly to reflect current market conditions.