How much does a month in Quebec cost?
Add up your recurring expenses — rent, utilities, transport, groceries — to see your monthly and annual budget at a glance. Pair this tool with the net salary calculator to see which gross salary covers your lifestyle.
Your monthly expenses
Breakdown
Estimate based only on what you enter above. Your data stays on your device — nothing sent to a server. To know what gross salary covers this budget, see the net salary calculator.
Your budget
Per month
$2,750
Per year
$33,000
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All toolsWhat budget to plan for a successful settlement in Quebec?
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Frequently asked questions
What are typical spending benchmarks in Montreal in 2026?
As a rough guide: a 3½ apartment rents for $1,300 to $1,800/month (it varies a lot by neighbourhood), Hydro-Québec costs $50 to $120/month (peaking in winter from electric heating), home internet $60 to $90/month, a cellphone $35 to $60/month with budget brands like Fizz or Public Mobile, groceries $400 to $700/month for one person and $700 to $1,200 for a couple, the monthly STM pass around $100, and car insurance $80 to $150/month for newcomers (less after 3 years).
How do I fill in the calculator correctly?
Fill in only the categories that apply to you: no car, skip the transport lines; no kids, skip daycare. Empty fields don't count. Use realistic monthly averages: for Hydro, which changes with the seasons, take the annual total divided by 12; for groceries, which fluctuate, take the median.
What's not included in this budget?
This calculator ignores one-time costs like deposits, furniture or first-year-newcomer expenses, and one-off annual costs like vehicle registration, taxes or vacations (divide them by 12 to add them to the month). It also doesn't include daycare fees, taxes and source deductions, or inflation: 2026 prices won't be the same in 2027.
What salary do you need to cover this budget in Quebec?
Compare your total with typical Quebec salaries. A typical 2-person household in Montreal needs about $3,500/month net to live comfortably, or $60,000 to $70,000 gross combined. To find out which gross salary covers your lifestyle, use the net salary calculator.
Where do I see daycare fees separately?
Daycare fees are not included in this budget. Use the dedicated daycare cost estimator to estimate them, then add the monthly amount to your budget.
Is my data saved?
No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser: no information is sent to or stored on our servers.
Related guides
Sources and references
The benchmark ranges come from public 2026 data:
This calculator just adds things up — it's a budgeting aid, not a financial product. For personalized planning, consult a financial advisor.
Author's note: the easiest way to find leaks in your budget is to fill this out from memory, then check your last 3 bank statements. The gap between what you THINK you spend and what you ACTUALLY spend is where most savings hide. Do it once a year — your 2027 self will thank you.
