Moving to Montreal From NYC: What It’s Really Like & Insider Tips
So, I did it. I recently packed up my overpriced studio apartment in the Lower East Side and headed over the border for a change of scenery (and, if I’m being honest, cheaper rent). If you’re considering moving to Montreal from NYC, take these tidbits into account.
Main takeaways
- The cost to move to Montreal from Manhattan can range from $1,500–$7,000.
- Rent is way more affordable in Montreal than NYC — like 70+% cheaper, on average.
- You’ll definitely want to brush up on your French.
Keep reading to learn more about my experience trading the Big Apple for the Paris of North America, from costs and cultural quirks to immigration headaches and housing wins.
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Cost of moving to Montreal from NYC
You typically have two options for moving your stuff internationally: sea freight and air freight. But choosing between the two is not a necessity here, since Montreal is just a half-day’s drive from the city.
And even more good news if you’re packing light (and maybe a little light on funds) — DIY-style companies like Budget Truck Rental and PODS operate in both the US and Canada. This means you can have a wider range of choices not available with most international moves.
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A rental moving truck is going to be your best bet from NYC (unless you want the full-service treatment, which will be pricier). As long as you’re cool with driving a big vehicle, a moving truck the greatest amount of flexibility at the lowest price point. You’ll also have to load up the truck and unpack it yourself (or by bribing some people you know with beer and pizza).
I decided to go the truck rental route because I didn’t have a ton of stuff and knew I could get a couple friends and co-workers to lend some muscle. It was also the most affordable option. I ended up paying just under $700, including insurance and some other fees. I spent about $100 on boxes, tape, and bubble wrap, and another $100 or so feeding my “moving crew” (and myself while on the road).
Before I settled on renting a truck, I first checked out how much it would cost me to move my studio apartment using a full-service mover and a moving container.
Here’s what I found:
| Moving Truck (Budget) | Moving Container (PODS) | Full-Service Mover (MiniMoves) |
|---|---|---|
| $672 | ~$1,550 | ~$2,425 |
Montreal rent & housing prices
I was paying $3,200 a month for my studio in the city. In Montreal, I found a cozy one-bedroom in the boho-chic Plateau-Mont-Royal area for only $1,030. Score!
I can’t pat myself on the back too much, since rent is so much cheaper in Montreal than Manhattan. In fact, according to Numbeo, it’s a mind-blowing 70%–80% less, depending on where you live and the size of your apartment. No matter how you slice it, that’s better than a raise!
Here’s what Numbeo has to say about the differences in housing prices between the city and Montreal:
| Apartment | NYC | Montreal | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR rental | $3,886 | $1,186 | –69.5% |
| 3BR rental | $8,505 | $1,997 | –76.5% |
| Price per sq. ft. (for purchase) | $1,668 | $638 | –61.7% |
I chose to settle in Mile End, a Plateau neighborhood with a particularly artsy vibe (and, weirdly, the best bagels). But there are lots of great spots to live in Montreal:
- Old Montreal: This is real-deal historic Montreal, complete with cobblestone streets and old-world charm.The architecture is incredible (and the shopping isn’t too shabby, either). Plus, there are some cool watering holes and eateries, including some hip vegan and vegetarian spots.
- Downtown: Downtown Montreal has a lot of workday traffic, but at night, it’s a foodie’s paradise. There are lots of food halls for trying out all kinds of eats from around the globe. You’ll also be close by museums and performing arts spaces.
- Griffintown: Griffintown used to be an industrial area and home to a large population of Irish immigrants who worked in the factories. Today, that Irish heritage remains throughout the neighborhood, but warehouses have been converted to swanky condos, boutiques, restaurants, and galleries. It’s a cool mix of old and new right on the Lachine Canal.
- HoMa: HoMa is like a small town in the middle of a big city. Officially named Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (now you know why the locals shortened it!), HoMa is a historically poor neighborhood that has been revitalized into a quaint, family-friendly community with lots of green spaces. It’s pretty affordable, too, especially if you’re looking to buy.
How much you’ll pay for utilities
Basic utilities (electricity, water/sewer, garbage) for my new apartment have so far been under $90 — a big drop from what I paid in Manhattan.
Here’s how the two cities stack up against each other in terms of utilities (according to Numbeo):
| Utility | NYC | Montreal | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic housing utilities | $186.58 | $76.09 | –59.2% |
| Internet | $64.12 | $41.82 | –34.8% |
| Monthly cell phone plan | $62.75 | $35.20 | –43.9% |
What you’ll spend on restaurants & groceries in Montreal
Food is, across the board, cheaper in Montreal. With restaurants, I’ve found that, the nicer the restaurant, the bigger cost difference you’ll see. A fast-food meal might be only a dollar or two less but a three-course meal at an upscale Montreal eatery is likely going to be $25-$50 less than a similar spot in the Lower East Side.
Lucky for me, I’m spending less on my two main staples: wine and cheese. Bless you, Quebec!
Numbeo’s cost of living comparison between Montreal and NYC includes a nice breakdown of food costs.
Here’s a snapshot:
| Food | NYC | Montreal | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast food meal | $12 | $10.49 | –12.6% |
| 3-course meal for 2 (upscale casual) | $130 | $69.90 | –46.2% |
| Cappuccino | $5.92 | $3.54 | –40.3% |
| Imported beer (12 oz. bottle) | $12 | $6.29 | –47.6% |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | $20 | $13.63 | –31.8% |
| Loaf of fresh white bread | $4.50 | $2.87 | –36.3% |
| Cheese (1 lb.) | $7.91 | $7.17 | –9.4% |
| Milk | $5.83 | $8.63 | +47.9% |
| Dozen eggs | $6.02 | $3.29 | –45.3% |
How much it costs to get around Montreal
I haven’t had a car in years, but if I did, I’d probably leave it behind (knowing what I know now about Montreal). The STM metro system is reliable and pretty cheap, especially when you compare it to a 30-day MetroCard.
Plus, should I decide at some point to purchase a new ride, I can get a better deal in Canada than I would in New York.
If you’re moving to Montreal with a car, I’d just caution you that the cost of gas is a little higher here.
Here’s a quick comparison of transportation costs from Numbeo
| Transportation Mode | NYC | Montreal | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way public transit ticket | $2.90 | $2.62 | –9.6% |
| Monthly public transit pass | $132 | $69.90 | –47% |
| Taxi (1 mile) | $3.50 | $2.31 | –34.1% |
| Taxi (1 hour waiting) | $42 | $33.62 | –19.9% |
| 0ne gallon of gas | $3.76 | $4.40 | +17.1% |
| *Cost to buy a new car | $27,985 | $20,207 | –27.8% |
*Based on the cost of Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort or equivalent new vehicle as of March 2025
Education costs in Montreal
I don’t have kids, but I didn’t want to leave out the mamas and daddy-os here… especially after seeing the massive price difference in NYC and Montreal private schools. Kids are expensive! But you can get a quality education in Montreal that might otherwise be out of reach in Manhattan.
Check this out:
| Type of education | Full-day private preschool/kindergarten (monthly) | International primary school (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| NYC | $3,122 | $58,000 |
| Montreal | $625.95 | $5,662 |
| % Difference | –80% | –90.2% |
Canada’s visa & immigration requirements
Here’s where I wish I had researched more and started sooner. I got a last-minute visitor visa (luckily it only took about three weeks to process) that is good for six months and can potentially be extended. Since I’m renting my apartment on a month-to-month basis, I figured that was my best option (and I’d figure the rest of it out once I got to Montreal).
But it was a month or two into my new life here that I found out about Canada’s Express Entry program. It’s not a visa but rather a system for managing immigration applications from skilled workers that prioritizes applicants based on certain criteria. It’s super confusing but I imagine it to be something akin to the NBA draft (from my limited knowledge of sports, anyway).
The way it works is Canada “scouts” for top talent by reviewing applications from skilled workers and gives them each a score (like a draft ranking) based on things like age, education, work experience, and fluency in English and French. You don’t have to have Canadian employment or even be living in the country, but both will get you some bonus points.
The top-ranking “players” (candidates for residency) are invited first to join the team (i.e. live in Canada). There are two more rounds after that, each requiring progressively more specific criteria to be included.
You might not get picked right away, but the longer you live and work in Canada, the more you can improve your “stats” (evaluation points) for the next round of invitations.
For most people, it takes about six to eight months to be granted Express Entry, which is permanent residency status. Had I realized this, I would have applied at least on day one of my fresh start in Montreal. Who knows? I might’ve become a permanent resident before my visitor visa expired.
My advice? Learn as much as you can now about Express Entry requirements and how the program works. Then, get your application in! You might not get approved the first, second, or third time around, but having an application on file means the opportunity to up your ranking through job offers, certifications, and other initiatives.
Moving to Montreal from the US
I went the cost-effective route by moving with Budget Truck Rental, but an international move to Canada is unique in that you have lots more options for how to get your stuff there.
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Other moving options to Canada
A full-service move will cost you the most, but you won’t have to worry about much. Experienced international movers not only load up all your stuff, take it to Montreal, and unload the truck for you, they also can help out with customs clearance and any other issues at the border.
If your move from NYC is pretty minimal (as mine one), just know that some full-service movers have a minimum size requirement and therefore might not take you on as a customer. But MiniMoves, which specializes in full-service small moves, handles US-to-Canada relocations, so they’re a great option here.
And moving containers are sort of a middle-ground solution to a full-service experience and a DIY move like mine. You fill up a container (dropped off near your apartment), then the company picks it up and hauls it over the border for you. The only sticking point here is, depending on where in NYC you live — where you’ll be living in Montreal — moving containers might be more trouble than they’re worth due to street and parking restrictions.
Still, I’d recommend looking at pricing and services for all options, from moving trucks to hands-on pro movers — before narrowing down your choice.
These companies are all worth considering:
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My tips for moving to Montreal from NYC
- Start the visa process early. Canada’s paperwork takes time.
- Declutter like crazy.Here’s how to downsize before your move.
- Pack smart. Follow these packing tips for moving overseas.
- Budget for customs fees. They can sneak up on you.
- Make a moving checklist. Keeping a checklist for moving abroad, specifically, will help.
FAQ
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