Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
MTL Blog Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with MTL Blog Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.

cost of living

If you're raising kids in Quebec, another round of payments from the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is on its way. And for some families, that could mean up to $666 per child hitting your bank account this month.

If you're wondering when your cheque is arriving or how to apply for the benefit, here's what you need to know.

Keep readingShow less

Whether you're celebrating a Habs win or trying to get through a tough loss, grabbing a beer at the Bell Centre is almost as much a tradition as chanting "Olé Olé Olé." But if you've been to a game lately, you might've noticed that the price of that cold one is a little more than it used to be.

We dropped by the Canadiens' home opener this week and checked every concession board to see how much drinks are running fans in 2025. When compared to the prices logged during a visit to the Bell Centre in October 2024, nearly every drink category has gone up. And beer drinkers, once again, are feeling it the most.

Keep readingShow less

Thinking about whether life in Montreal is really that much cheaper than in Toronto?

Sure, slightly warmer weather, lower sales tax, and the absence of language laws could sound enticing to some. But with rent still climbing and grocery bills staying high, the cost-of-living gap between Canada's two biggest cities might surprise you.

Keep readingShow less

October is off to a good start for millions of Canadians. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is depositing the next round of GST/HST credits today, Friday, October 3, 2025, putting a bit of extra cash in people's accounts just as the month begins.

The quarterly benefit is designed to offset the cost of goods and services for low- and modest-income households. Depending on your family situation, you could see anywhere from a little over $50 to more than $250 show up in your account this morning.

Keep readingShow less

With grocery prices still running high across Quebec, even the basics like fruits and vegetables can make a noticeable dent at the checkout. Meat often gets most of the attention for sticker shock, but your weekly haul of bananas, apples, carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes isn't always as cheap as it looks.

To find out where Montreal shoppers are actually getting the best deals, we priced out five everyday produce staples at six major chains: IGA, Metro, Super C, Provigo, Maxi, and Walmart.

Keep readingShow less

Your age might say more about your salary than you think. Updated data from Quebec's statistics agency reveals how incomes shift across generations, from entry-level paycheques to retirement nest eggs.

The Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ) has broken down average incomes in the province by age group, showing exactly how much Quebecers are making at different stages of life. In 1996, the average income for Quebecers 16 and older was about $35,000. By 2022 (the latest year available), it was over $54,000, even after accounting for inflation.

Keep readingShow less

As the cost of living keeps climbing in Montreal, nowhere is it felt more directly than at the grocery store checkout

Over the past few months, MTL Blog has been comparing what everyday essentials cost at Quebec's biggest grocery chains — from a full basket of staples to head-to-head battles between Walmart, Costco, and local grocers.

Keep readingShow less

In today's economic climate, where the cost of living continues to put pressure on Canadian wallets, it's normal to wonder whether your income is enough to keep pace.

With everything from rent and groceries to fuel putting pressure on household budgets, understanding how your salary compares to the average can provide some much-needed perspective.

Keep readingShow less

Thinking about what it costs to live in Montreal? Whether you're budgeting your next move, rethinking your spending, or just trying to make peace with your grocery bill, it helps to have a clear picture of the essentials (and a few extras).

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.

Keep readingShow less

Feeling like your paycheque doesn't stretch as far as it used to? You're not alone. But according to new data from Statistics Canada, wages across the country are going up, just not equally everywhere.

In its latest report on employment and earnings, Statistics Canada revealed the average weekly wage in Canada rose 4.4% in April 2025, landing at $1,297.44. That works out to roughly $67,467 per year before taxes.

Keep readingShow less

Trying to figure out which grocery store in Montreal actually has the lowest prices right now? With grocery costs still hitting hard for a lot of Quebecers, knowing where to get the most for your money really matters.

While spots like Dollarama or Liquidation Marie have become go-to options for budget shoppers, most people still count on the big-name supermarkets for their weekly haul. So we set out to answer a simple question: which major grocery chain offers the best deal on the basics?

Keep readingShow less

Groceries, rent, gas — everything feels more expensive lately. So how much are Quebecers actually earning in 2025, and is it enough to keep up?

According to new data from Statistics Canada, the average weekly salary in Quebec recently hit $1,244.05. That's about $64,690 a year — and a 5% jump from last year.

Keep readingShow less