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

User AvatarBuild your avatar
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

cost of living

We compared meat prices at different Montreal grocery stores & the difference is shocking

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
average salary quebec

This is how much the average Canadian earns in every province and Quebec is way, way behind

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
cost of living montreal

How much does it really cost to live in Montreal in 2025? We did the math

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
statistics canada

Average salaries in Canada just went up — Here's how Quebec compares

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
grocery prices quebec

How much does a basic grocery trip cost at different Montreal stores? We did the math

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
cost of living

Quebec's new average salary is almost $65K but 8 other provinces are making more

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
dollarama

These 12 name-brand items are worth buying at Dollarama, according to shoppers

With prices climbing at Canadian grocery stores and pharmacies, more and more people are turning to Dollarama to score name-brand products for less. And while not everything on the shelves is a hidden gem, some deals are too good to pass up.

With that in mind, we recently took to Facebook to ask MTL Blog readers, "What's a name-brand product you regularly buy at Dollarama, and why?"

Keep readingShow less
cost of living

Canada's inflation rate is cooling off but Quebec just got more expensive

If your grocery bill hasn't dropped lately, there's a reason for that, especially if you live in Quebec.

According to new Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from Statistics Canada, Canada's inflation rate slowed to 1.7% in April, down from 2.3% in March. That national drop is mostly thanks to energy prices, which fell by 12.7% year over year, led by a massive 18.1% drop in gas prices. The removal of the federal carbon tax played a big role in that.

Keep readingShow less
cost of living

10 everyday things Canadians say they've stopped buying because of ridiculous prices

Between inflation, rising interest rates, and new tariffs on imported goods, the cost of living in Canada doesn't seem to be cooling down anytime soon. From grocery aisles to gas pumps, Canadians are feeling the pressure on all fronts, and many are making tough choices about what to cut from their budgets.

With that in mind, we recently asked MTL Blog readers on Facebook: "What's gotten so expensive in Canada that you no longer purchase it?"

Keep readingShow less
cost of living

Think a $40K salary is enough to live in Montreal? That's actually the bare minimum

Thinking of living solo in Montreal? You'll want to take a close look at your income, because even just getting by isn't cheap.

According to a new report from the Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques (IRIS), the minimum after-tax income needed to live with dignity in Montreal has jumped to $40,084 (after tax) in 2025. That's a 4.2% increase from last year and reflects the rising cost of housing, food, and basic essentials.

Keep readingShow less
minimum wage quebec

Quebec's minimum wage is going up this week — Here's how it stacks up to other provinces

Starting Thursday, May 1, Quebec's minimum wage will officially increase from $15.75 to $16.10 per hour. That's a 35-cent boost, announced by Quebec's Ministry of Labour back in January.

While it's a welcome change for thousands of workers across the province, it's a bit smaller than last year's increase, when minimum wage jumped by 50 cents. According to the ministry, about 217,400 people are expected to be affected by the new rate, including students and workers in retail and hospitality jobs.

Keep readingShow less
homes for sale montreal

Buying a home in Montreal in 2025? You'll need a six-figure salary (at least)

If you're hoping to buy a home in Montreal this year, you'll want to double-check your budget — because it just got a little harder.

According to a new report from WealthNorth, the median price for a single-family home in the Montreal CMA rose to $610,000 in March 2025, up $10,000 from February. To afford that, you'd now need an annual household income of $168,507, based on the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's 32% affordability rule.

Keep readingShow less