Renting an Apartment Cost in Montreal (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Montreal, apartment rents vary a lot by size and neighbourhood, but a typical market rent is often around CAD 1,500–2,000 per month for a one-bedroom and roughly CAD 2,000–2,800 for a two-bedroom. Official Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data provides average purpose-built rental figures, while market listing platforms generally show higher asking rents for newly advertised units.
Overview
Renting an apartment in Montreal is usually cheaper than in Toronto or Vancouver, but costs have risen in recent years, especially for centrally located and newly listed units. The most authoritative official source is the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which publishes average rents for purpose-built rental apartments in the Montréal census metropolitan area. Those figures are useful for benchmarking, but they do not always reflect what a new renter will see in current listings, because sitting tenants may be paying less than market asking rents. As a result, it helps to look at both official statistics and live-market indicators. For current budgeting, many renters should expect asking rents above CMHC averages, particularly for one-bedroom flats in popular areas such as Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont, Griffintown and parts of Ville-Marie. Older walk-ups, basement flats and units farther from the métro tend to be cheaper, while renovated buildings, furnished units and apartments with parking or included appliances cost more. Besides monthly rent, renters in Montreal may need to budget for a security-related moving deposit only in limited lawful forms, plus costs such as hydro (electricity), tenant insurance, internet, parking and moving expenses. In Quebec, landlords generally cannot charge a traditional security deposit simply to secure the tenancy, so upfront costs are often lower than in some other Canadian cities, though practical moving costs can still be significant.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Average monthly rent, purpose-built rental apartment (all bedroom types), Montréal CMA(per month) Official CMHC average for purpose-built rental apartments in the Montréal census metropolitan area; useful benchmark but not the same as current asking rents for new listings. | ~C$1,225 | Estimated range |
| Average monthly rent, 1-bedroom purpose-built rental apartment, Montréal CMA(per month) Official CMHC average for 1-bedroom purpose-built rentals in the Montréal CMA. | ~C$1,096 | Estimated range |
| Average monthly rent, 2-bedroom purpose-built rental apartment, Montréal CMA(per month) Official CMHC average for 2-bedroom purpose-built rentals in the Montréal CMA. | ~C$1,347 | Estimated range |
| Typical asking rent, 1-bedroom apartment in Montreal(per month) Estimated range based on typical current market asking rents for newly advertised Montreal apartments, which are often higher than CMHC averages because official averages include long-term tenants in older leases. | ~C$1,500 – C$2,000 | Estimated range |
| Typical asking rent, 2-bedroom apartment in Montreal(per month) Estimated range based on typical current market asking rents for newly advertised Montreal apartments across mid-market neighbourhoods; central, renovated or luxury units can exceed this range. | ~C$2,000 – C$2,800 | Estimated range |
| Common additional monthly costs beyond rent(per month) Estimated combined range for tenant-paid hydro, internet and basic tenant insurance in Montreal; actual costs depend on unit size, heating type and whether utilities are included. | ~C$80 – C$300 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Monthly rent may or may not include heating
- Appliances are commonly included in some units, but not always
- Hot water may be included in some purpose-built rentals
- Parking, storage, internet and electricity are often extra
Regulator / licensing: Tribunal administratif du logement (Quebec)
Variants & Configurations
How Fees Work
Rent is usually charged monthly. In Quebec, landlords generally cannot require a security deposit simply to secure the lease, but tenants should budget for the first month’s rent, utilities if not included, tenant insurance, moving costs and any optional parking or storage fees.
Factors Affecting Price
- Neighbourhood and proximity to the métro or city centre
- Number of bedrooms, size and whether the unit is renovated or furnished
- Building type: older walk-up versus newer purpose-built or condo-style rental
- Whether heating, electricity, appliances, parking or internet are included
- Seasonality and vacancy conditions in the Montreal rental market
Local Context
Montreal rents are governed by Quebec tenancy rules rather than by a city-specific rent tax. Unlike hotels or short-term stays, long-term residential rent itself is not subject to sales tax in the usual way, but tenants may pay separately for electricity, internet and parking. Prices differ sharply by arrondissement: central and metro-accessible districts typically cost more, while outer areas and older stock can be cheaper. July is a major moving period in Quebec, which can affect availability and pricing.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD) per month unless stated otherwise.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Tribunal administratif du logement (Quebec) · official
Quebec rental rules and lease framework, including tenant-landlord obligations relevant to fees and deposits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official source for Montreal apartment rent statistics?+
The main official source is the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which publishes annual Rental Market Report data for the Montréal census metropolitan area. It is the standard benchmark for average purpose-built rental housing costs.
Why are advertised rents often higher than official average rents?+
Official averages often include long-standing tenants paying older, lower rents. New listings reflect current asking prices, which are usually higher, especially in popular neighbourhoods or renovated buildings.
How much should I budget for a one-bedroom in Montreal?+
A practical budget for a currently advertised one-bedroom is often around CAD 1,500 to CAD 2,000 per month, though older or less central flats may be lower and prime or newer units may be higher.
Are utilities included in Montreal rent?+
Sometimes. Heating and hot water are included in some buildings, but electricity, internet and parking are frequently extra. Always check the lease details before comparing prices.
Do landlords in Montreal charge a security deposit?+
In Quebec, landlords generally cannot require a standard security deposit as a condition of the lease. However, tenants still usually need to pay the first month’s rent and cover practical setup costs such as insurance and utilities.
Which apartment sizes are cheapest in Montreal?+
Studios and one-bedroom flats are generally the cheapest in absolute monthly cost. On a per-person basis, sharing a larger two-bedroom or three-bedroom can sometimes work out better value.
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