An Edmonton lawsuit that could have national implications on how homeless encampments and tent cities are handled kicked off Wednesday as a human rights group hopes to stop removals unless suitable alternative shelter is available. Read More
<p>Katsina Customs Area Command said it will fish out those involved in the lynching of its officer while on duty.</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv/katsina-customs-to-apprehend-those-behind-lynching-of-officer/">Katsina Customs To Apprehend Those Behind Lynching of Officer</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.arise.tv">Arise News</a>.</p>
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/people-walk-in-montreal-right-a-stack-of-canadian-cash.jpg?id=61420869&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=96%2C0%2C96%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>Thinking about what it <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/cost-of-living" target="_blank">costs to live in Montreal</a>? Whether you're budgeting your next move, rethinking your spending, or just trying to make peace with your <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-grocery-prices-quebec-stores" target="_blank">grocery bill</a>, it helps to have a clear picture of the essentials (and a few extras).</p><p>Using up-to-date data (as of July 2025), we've crunched the numbers to estimate what a single person needs to live reasonably in the city. This breakdown assumes you're living alone, and not in a luxury condo or a shoebox apartment with four roommates. It includes rent, transportation, food, and some breathing room for going out, staying caffeinated, and occasionally pretending you can afford to party.</p><p>With that in mind, here's where your money goes every month.</p><h3>Rent - $1,690</h3><br/><p>This is, by far, your biggest monthly expense. According to <a href="https://www.zumper.com/rent-research/montreal-qc" target="_blank">Zumper</a>, the average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Montreal is currently $1,690. That's for a decent place on the island — not necessarily Plateau glam, but definitely livable.</p><p>For context, the median rent across all bedroom counts and property types is $1,808, which is still about 7% lower than the national average. Montreal's rent remains more affordable than cities like Toronto or Vancouver, but prices here are creeping up fast. </p><h3>Groceries - $400</h3><br/><p>Everyone's food budget looks a little different, but a reasonable monthly estimate for one person is about $400. That works out to roughly $100 per week, which is enough to keep your pantry stocked with staples and maybe even a few luxury items (hello, $9 oat milk).</p><p>Whether or not you let things go bad in the fridge is up to you...</p><h3>Utilities - $99</h3><br/><p>Even after you've paid rent, you'll still need to keep the lights on, the water running, and the place warm in winter. <a href="https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Montreal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Numbeo</a>, the world's largest crowd-sourced database focused on cost of living, lists the average cost of monthly utilities for a one-bedroom apartment in the city at around $99. That includes electricity, heating, cooling, and water.</p><p>If you're living in an older building with electric baseboards or inefficient insulation, that number could spike in colder months. </p><h3>Internet - $60</h3><br/><p>You're going to want Wi-Fi for streaming, doomscrolling, and arguing on Reddit. Expect to pay around $60 per month for a standard plan, according to <a href="https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Montreal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Numbeo</a>.</p><h3>Phone plan - $55</h3><br/><p>Canada's phone plans are notoriously pricey, and Montreal is no exception. A typical mobile plan (with data) in Montreal costs about $55 per month, per <a href="https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Montreal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Numbeo</a>. You might be able to score a cheaper deal with a smaller provider, but that's the general ballpark.</p><h3>Transportation - $104.50</h3><br/><p>On July 1, the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/stm-new-fares-july-1" target="_blank">STM's unlimited monthly OPUS pass</a> for bus and metro travel across the island rose to $104.50 per month. If you're downtown and transit-dependent, this is likely your best option.</p><p>Now, if you have a car, that number goes way up when you consider the cost of gas and insurance </p><h3>Eating out - $200</h3><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-restaurants-hidden-gems-tourists" target="_blank">Montreal's restaurant scene</a> is one of the best in the country. Whether it's late-night poutine, $10 bánh mì, or a solid lunch special, dining out is part of the culture here.</p><p>And let's be honest, you're not going to cook every meal at home. <a href="https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Montreal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Numbeo</a> says the average restaurant meal costs $25. Assuming one or two outings per week (plus the odd $6 latte or $12 sandwich), $200 per month is a realistic budget for modest indulgence.</p><p>That's assuming you're being reasonable (no wine pairings or weekly tasting menus.)</p><h3>Partying - $120</h3><br/><p>A night out in Montreal doesn't always have to break the bank, but it can add up. If you go out a couple of times per month, expect to spend about $60 per night on drinks, cover, and tips. That works out to $120 a month, assuming you're not doing bottle service at Bord'elle every weekend.</p><p>Thankfully, the city's winter is harsh enough that it forces you to stay inside for a good chunk of the year.</p><h3>Fitness - $55</h3><br/><p>A mid-range gym membership in Montreal will cost you about <a href="https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Montreal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">$55 per month</a>. That's for a spot with standard equipment, not boutique classes or fancy extras.</p><h3>Coffee - $65</h3><br/><p>Assuming you grab a basic $3 coffee on most weekdays, that's roughly $15 per week, or $65 per month. Good coffe is easy to come by in Montreal, so it's easy to justify this expense — just maybe don't start every day with a $7 matcha.</p><h3>Extras - $100</h3><br/><p>Life happens. Haircuts, Ubers, prescription meds, toilet paper, birthday dinner, umbrellas. A $100 monthly cushion should cover most of the random but inevitable stuff that doesn't fit neatly into a category.</p><h2>Grand total: $2948.50 per month</h2><p>So what's the takeaway? Living solo in Montreal in 2025 isn't exactly cheap, but it's still more manageable than in cities like Toronto or Vancouver. In fact, according to a <a href="https://iris-recherche.qc.ca/publications/revenu-viable-2025/" target="_blank">May report from the Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques (IRIS)</a>, the minimum after-tax income needed to live with dignity in Montreal jumped to $40,084 (after tax) in 2025.</p><p>So, if you're earning under $3,000 a month, budgeting gets tight fast. And while your actual spending will depend on your habits and neighbourhood, this breakdown offers a realistic snapshot of what it takes to live comfortably without constantly saying no to lattes, nights out, or decent Wi-Fi.</p><p>The good news? With some planning (and maybe a roommate), Montreal is still one of the more liveable big cities in Canada. Just don't forget to factor in the fun stuff — otherwise, what's the point of living here?</p>
