For one person, living costs in Quebec City are estimated at $1,854 a month, including rent and utilities – 19% below the national average. Rent and utilities take just under half of the total.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Quebec City actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,854 monthly including rent, or $995 excluding housing.
$1,854 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,819 with rent, or $1,712 without housing.
$2,819 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,784 including rent, or $2,430 for daily expenses alone.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.3KCA$38.6K
$27.3KCA$38.6K
$27.6KCA$39.0K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1KCA$29.8K
$17.4KCA$24.6K
$24.2KCA$34.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$97.4CA$138
$58.4CA$82.6
$149CA$210
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.01CA$43.84
$20.88CA$29.52
$45.25CA$64.0
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.26CA$62.6
$34.83CA$49.24
$62.0CA$87.7
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.36CA$48.58
$9.44CA$13.35
$60.7CA$85.8
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.13CA$21.39
$14.08CA$19.90
$15.48CA$21.89
Cinema Ticket
$10.82CA$15.29
$9.07CA$12.83
$13.96CA$19.73
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$678CA$958
$442CA$625
$944CA$1,334
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,045CA$12.8K
$8,869CA$12.5K
$9,220CA$13.0K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.5CA$81.3
$29.42CA$41.60
$75.5CA$107
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.94CA$70.6
$20.65CA$29.19
$103CA$146
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.4CA$126
$70.1CA$99.2
$112CA$159
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105CA$148
$86.0CA$122
$138CA$194
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,008CA$1,424
$842CA$1,190
$1,403CA$1,983
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$762CA$1,077
$694CA$981
$1,152CA$1,628
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,536CA$2,171
$1,301CA$1,839
$1,850CA$2,616
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,257CA$1,777
$1,044CA$1,476
$1,406CA$1,988
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,735CA$6,694
$4,481CA$6,335
$7,702CA$10.9K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,669CA$3,773
$2,409CA$3,405
$2,904CA$4,106
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,961CA$4,186
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.44
3.8
5
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 11, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Quebec City$1,854
Quebec City$3,784
🏠Accommodation & Living
$762 41.1%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$340 18.4%
🍽Eating Out
$295 15.9%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$173 9.3%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$136 7.3%
🚌Getting Around
$92 5%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$56 3%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$1.3K 33.2%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$771 20.4%
🍽Eating Out
$934 24.7%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$204 5.4%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$302 8%
🚌Getting Around
$190 5%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$127 3.4%
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $1,008 for a central one-bedroom, or $762 outside the center. At 34% of the average salary ($2,961), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $2,961, while typical expenses reach $1,854. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.
🛒Expect to spend about $340 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $66.0 for two.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $70.6 per month.
Cost Highlights
⭐Local beer is more expensive than 93% of cities in North America
⭐Quebec City is more expensive than 62% globally but cheaper than 77% within North America.
Cost of Living in Quebec City - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quebec City affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find the best value?
Quebec City offers a balanced backdrop for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. The Cost of Living in Quebec City, Canada tends to feel more affordable than larger Canadian metros, with strong public services and a walkable core that reduces transport costs. Value shows up in neighborhoods where you can find charming apartments, good eateries, and access to both historic charm and modern coworking spaces. Costs vary by area and season: central, historic districts are livelier but pricier; a bit farther out you can stretch the budget while staying convenient. Tip: Plan around seasonal demand and choose a neighborhood that fits your work and social life.
What does daily life look like in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Finding a place often starts with older rental buildings in Saint-Roch, Montcalm, or Limoilou, where daylight and sound vary. Expect longer searches if you want furnished options or short-term leases. Food options range from farmers markets and casual bistros to affordable groceries; you can balance dining out with home cooking. Transportation relies on a solid bus network, walkable streets, and bike routes, with a car optional for most. For work, many travelers use coworking spaces or cafes with reliable wifi and day passes. Errands are manageable in compact neighborhoods, but plan weekly trips to larger grocers if you cook in bulk. Understanding the Quebec City, Canada living cost helps you budget groceries, transit, and dining. Tip: Start with a flexible housing search and a monthly transit option.
What factors influence quality of life here, and how can you build a simple budgeting framework to stay flexible?
Quality of life in Quebec City blends history, culture, and outdoor access. You can balance daily routines with a compact city feel, good safety, and a bilingual vibe that suits many remote workers. Build a budgeting framework with simple buckets: housing, utilities (noting winter heating), groceries, transit, meals, and leisure. Save by cooking at home, choosing a mix of casual dining, and taking advantage of free outdoor activities, markets, and seasonal festivals. Neighborhood fit depends on pace and commute: Old Quebec gives charm but can feel touristy; Lower Town or Sainte-Foy offer steadier rhythms and easier parking. Tip: Insist on solid internet, check building insulation, and sample different areas during a few weeks.
What is the average cost of living in Quebec City?
A single person in Quebec City typically spends $1,854 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $995. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
What is the average cost of living in Quebec City in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Quebec City come to around $1,854 including rent, or roughly $995 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
What is a good salary in Quebec City?
Earning $2,781 monthly in Quebec City means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Quebec City?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Quebec City range from $762 to $1,008, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
How expensive is a gym membership in Quebec City?
A regular gym membership in Quebec City costs around $34.36 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Quebec City?
Expect to spend around $340 per month on groceries in Quebec City. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Quebec City?
Living on $2,000 in Quebec City means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,854. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
Is Quebec City a good place to live?
Living in Quebec City means access to fast internet at about $1,854 per month including rent. It works for a wide range of budgets, and most residents find the lifestyle-to-cost balance appealing. Your experience will depend on priorities like climate, culture, and career.
Can you save money living in Quebec City?
Monthly expenses in Quebec City run around $1,854, so putting money aside takes more than $2,781 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Quebec City vs other spots: cost of living compared