With the cost of living continuing to increase, rent prices in Montreal are also soaring, making the lives of tenants more and more complicated. In January 2025, the average rent for an unfurnished 4 ½ now reaches $2,211 per month, according to a recent report. But there remains a glimmer of hope: certain neighborhoods in Montreal still offer slightly more affordable rents, giving tight budgets a chance to find their place.
The liv.rent platform recently published updated rental prices for unfurnished apartments in ten of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. In one year, the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment has decreased slightly, from $2,224 in January 2024 to $2,211 at the start of the year, a drop of approximately $13 per month.
During this time, the average rent price for an unfurnished 3 ½ has increased significantly, from $1,599 in January 2024 to $1,735 at the start of the year – an increase of approximately $136 monthly!
Although no increase is noted for these two-bedroom apartments, the fact remains that the average price exceeds $2,000 each month. However, certain sectors may be more within your reach with a more modest individual or family income, without having to go into debt.
Also read: The calculation tool for rent increases in 2025 was released in Quebec and it hurts
Here’s what you need to know: According to recommendations from the Government of Canada, rent-related expenses should not exceed 35% of gross income. So, to cover the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Montreal in January, an annual income of at least $75,805 is necessary. However, the required salary differs from one district to another.
Here is the list of Montreal neighborhoods and the average monthly costs to rent an unfurnished one-bedroom apartment.
-We present this ranking in descending order, according to the most recent prices of the liv.rent platform as well as the annual income necessary (calculated by Narcity Québec) to live comfortably in each of these sectors:
- Downtown: $2,781 (minimum salary of $95,349 per year)
- Westmount: $2,573 (minimum salary of $88,217 per year)
- Verdun : $2,514 (minimum salary of $86,194 per year)
- Plateau-Mont-Royal : $2,245 (minimum salary of $76,971 per year)
- Notre-Dame-de-Grâce/Côte-des-Neiges: $2,188 (minimum salary of $75,017 per year)
- Saint-Henri: $2,051 (minimum salary of $70,320 per year)
- Saint-Laurent: $2,174 (minimum salary of $74,537 per year)
- Villeray-Parc-Extension: $1,928 (minimum salary of $66,103 per year)
- Hochelaga-Maisonneuve: $1,864 (minimum salary of $63,909 per year)
- Ahuntsic-Cartierville: $1,795 (minimum salary of $61,543 per year)
It is therefore in the north-central part of the island, in Ahuntsic-Cartierville, where the cheapest rents are found. In fact, it’s the only neighborhood in this ranking where you can live in a 4 ½ while earning less than $62,000 per year at the moment.
You can also check the average prices for apartments with one or three bedrooms, according to the most recent data from the liv.rent website.
If you didn’t know: Tenants can receive up to $170 per month thanks to the Quebec government’s Housing Allowance program.
To be eligible for this benefit offered by Revenu Québec, your 2023 family income must be below a certain maximum threshold, established between $21,500 and $42,900, depending on your financial situation.
