What to know about the cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal

The cost of living is an important consideration when moving nowadays. It has always been a big factor, but after the 1.7% increase in the consumer price index between 2024 and 2025, you can see why this can’t be stressed enough. Many people move in search of a more affordable place, but how can you find that if the prices are high everywhere? Because of that, you need to research as much as possible before you move. So, if you were moving from Montreal to Vancouver, you would need to compare these two places and know what to expect. Luckily, our Canada moving services providers offer services that cover the whole country. And our guide for today will inform you of the cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal.

The cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal will vary

Montreal is one of the biggest and most popular cities in Canada. It is the second biggest by population, with 1.792 million residents. In the past year, the city’s population rose by 0.81% a bit higher than in the past couple of years. Everybody knows Montreal to be an expensive place, even though it is the third most expensive city in Canada, after Vancouver and Toronto. So, if you were moving from Montreal to Vancouver, the costs of living would be higher. The rent in Montreal in 2025 costs anywhere from C$1,500 to C$2,700, depending on the area and the size of the apartment. The median home value is C$681,000, which is the reason why the majority of the population rents their homes. Other expenses include utilities, which cost around C$110 for a single person in a studio apartment, and internet which costs C$35 to C$120.

Montreal is famously expensive

What can you expect if you move to Vancouver?

If you were to hire some Montreal long distance movers for your relocation to Vancouver, you will have a long road ahead of you. Vancouver is one the far west of Canada, almost 5,000 km away. Such a big distance means big differences between the cities, costs included. Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities to live in Canada. So, the cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal in this case will rise by a lot. Rent in Vancouver costs C$3,170 on average.

The median home value in this Canadian hub is well over the national average, at C$1,173 million. The prices have been fluctuating recently, but as you can see, very few people can afford buying a property nowadays, making renting the only solution. Utilities per person in a studio apartment are C$165, surprisingly higher than in Montreal. Internet, on the other hand, is of the same quality, but by C$20 more expensive than in Montreal.

Moving to Calgary will offer slightly higher costs compared to the cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal

The distance between Montreal and Calgary might be lower than in the previous comparison, at 3,500 km, but the differences will be quite visible. First, Calgary is slightly less populated than Montreal, with 1.688 million residents. Calgary is the biggest hub in Alberta and all the surrounding provinces, justifying its expensive reputation. The growing population only makes the prices higher, especially housing. As it is a custom in big cities, most of the population rent their homes, C$1,500 on average.

The average home price in the city is C$649,000, cheaper than in both previously mentioned places. Utilities cost C$190 per month, which makes Calgary the most expensive city on the list for utilities. The price for an internet connection is the same as in the previous two places, and the quality doesn’t differ much. So, if you would be moving from Montreal to Calgary, some aspects of life would even be cheaper.

The growing population in the big cities only makes housing more expensive

What can you do to reduce the costs of living?

Even though moving to an affordable city with the help of Centennial Moving Canada would help, sometimes you cannot decide which city you will move to next. Work is the biggest deciding factor, even though remote work is a viable option. So, if you happen to be forced to relocate to a more expensive city, what else can you do except investigate the cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal? Some of our best pieces of advice are:

• Rent a cheaper apartment or find a roommate
• Create a budget
• Increase your income
• Use public transport instead of owning a car

Try to save on housing costs

Housing typically takes up about 30% of your monthly budget, whether you’re renting or paying a mortgage. Think about this before you even start browsing long distance moving companies in Canada and getting ready for a move. With experts forecasting that 30-year fixed mortgage rates will hover around the mid-6% range by the end of 2025, sharing housing costs has become a practical solution for many Canadians. Getting a roommate can significantly cut your rent and utility bills, allowing you to live more affordably—especially in expensive cities like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal.

Apps like Roomies, Roomster, and PadMapper make it easy to find potential roommates, while Facebook Marketplace and Reddit threads (such as r/CanadaHousing) offer active local listings. To ensure a smooth arrangement, set clear expectations early, write out a simple roommate agreement, and use apps like Splitwise to track shared expenses. Choosing someone with a compatible lifestyle and maintaining open communication will go a long way in making shared living both financially and personally manageable in 2025.

Create a budget

Don’t move until you’ve got a job lined up. Seriously—especially if you’re leaving Montreal for somewhere pricier. Sure, places like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary offer plenty of work. But unless you’ve already signed an offer, you’re gambling with your peace of mind. The job market’s unpredictable right now—anyone pretending otherwise isn’t paying attention. That said, once you’ve locked in a steady income, you can plan with confidence.

Start by building a budget that feels real. Not ideal—real. Write down what you actually spend on groceries, rent, coffee, streaming, transit, whatever. Then compare that with what life costs in your new city. Spoiler: the cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal might hit harder than expected. Especially if you’re moving to the West Coast or Ontario.

Here’s what helps: savings. At least three months’ worth. Enough to cover rent, bills, food, and the “oh no, this broke” moments. It takes the edge off those first few weeks. And yes, budgeting sounds boring—but when it keeps you from panicking over a $300 power bill? Totally worth it. Lay out your fixed expenses, track the extras, and don’t forget to give yourself a little room to breathe. No one thrives on spreadsheets alone.

For those moving long distances, working with cross country movers in Canada can simplify logistics and prevent costly last-minute decisions. Many of these professional services offer storage, packing, and flexible delivery options, giving you time to settle in without added pressure. Planning both financially and logistically ensures a smoother, more confident start in your new city.

The cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal will differ between places

Increase your income

One of the smartest ways to deal with the higher cost of living after leaving Montreal? Make more money. Or—if you’re up for it—move somewhere that actually rewards you for starting something of your own. There are some great Canada places to start a business, and you don’t always need a huge investment to get going.

Your job doesn’t offer much upward movement? Then maybe it’s time to shift gears. Try tech. Healthcare. Trades. They’re growing fast, and they tend to pay well—often better than the stagnant job you’re itching to leave. You could take a quick online course, grab a certification, and suddenly, you’re looking at roles you couldn’t touch a year ago.

Not ready to quit your day job? That’s fine. Pick up something on the side. People are making decent money freelancing—from writing and design to tutoring or helping with customer service. Sites like Upwork, Fiverr, even TaskRabbit—they make the first steps easy, even if you’re starting from zero.

Have a hobby? There’s probably a way to sell it. Handmade soaps. Dog portraits. Virtual dance classes. Whatever weird, fun, useful thing you’re into—someone’s probably looking for it. And now with tools like Shopify or even just Instagram, it doesn’t take much to get it off the ground.

Another idea: rent out that spare room. Or your old place, if you’re still holding onto it. People always need short-term housing. It’s passive income, or close to it.

The truth is, you need flexibility when you’re adjusting to a more expensive city. Making your own money—on your terms—can be the buffer between just getting by and actually feeling stable. Even if it’s small at first, the extra income gives you breathing room. And that changes everything.

Start using public transportation

Getting used to the higher cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal? It hits fast—especially when you realize just how much owning a car drains your bank account. Insurance, gas, maintenance… and let’s not even talk about parking downtown in places like Toronto. You’re probably not finding anything under $200 a month for that alone.

That said, switching to public transit can seriously help. A monthly pass in Vancouver or Ottawa costs way less than car expenses stacked up. And yeah, it’s not glamorous, but it’s reliable, and you don’t have to circle for 15 minutes looking for a spot when it’s pouring rain.

You adjust quicker than you think. You get used to reading on the bus, grabbing your coffee to-go, and leaving the house five minutes earlier. Honestly? Once you realize you don’t need the car, it’s a relief.

Public transportation might be tedious, but it will save you money

Know the cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal

Montreal is an entertainment and economic hub in Quebec, but you will get bored with any city after some time. When the time for change comes, the cost of living in other Canadian cities when leaving Montreal is important. It will give you a general idea of how far your dollar can get you in your new city. You might not be personally money-oriented, but that is the world that we live in. We wish you good luck and an easy adaptation period!