Rooms for Rent in Montreal by Neighbourhood: What Each Area Actually Costs
"How much is a room in Montreal?" has no single answer — the gap between the cheapest and most expensive neighbourhood is over $400 a month for a comparable room. And the advertised price doesn't tell the whole story: what's included, how far the metro is, and how old the building is change your real cost as much as the postal code does. Here is the area-by-area comparison with October 2026 numbers.
Two Coliville addresses as reference points: Le Sherwin at C$160/week (≈$693/month) in the NDG corridor, and Le Gramercy at C$205/week (≈$888/month) downtown — all-inclusive in both cases.
The comparison table
Private room in a shared apartment, utilities not included unless noted:
| Neighbourhood | Room / month | Metro | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown | $800 – $1,050 | Everywhere | Everything walkable, loud, expensive |
| Plateau-Mont-Royal | $750 – $950 | Orange | Most in demand, cafés, street life |
| Mile End | $750 – $950 | Orange (walk) | Creative, pricey, thin metro coverage |
| Outremont | $750 – $950 | Blue | Quiet, well-off, close to UdeM |
| Griffintown | $800 – $1,000 | Green (walk) | New condos, little neighbourhood texture |
| Côte-des-Neiges | $600 – $780 | Blue, Orange | Very international, next to UdeM |
| Verdun | $650 – $820 | Green | Waterfront, rising fast |
| NDG | $620 – $800 | Orange, bus | Green, family-feel, good value |
| Villeray | $620 – $800 | Orange | The Plateau of ten years ago |
| Rosemont | $600 – $780 | Blue, Orange | Residential, calm, underrated |
| Hochelaga | $550 – $720 | Green | Cheapest close to the centre |
| Saint-Henri | $650 – $830 | Orange | Changing quickly |
These ranges assume a room in a shared 4½ or 5½. Add $60 – $140/month if heat and electricity aren't included — more in winter. Our heating cost guide does that arithmetic.
Three variables that matter more than the neighbourhood
1. What's included
A $700 room listed non chauffé with no internet really costs $820 – $870 once Hydro-Québec and a connection are added — plus a one-to-two-week wait for internet installation. An all-inclusive room at $750 is the cheaper one. Always compare totals. Our all-inclusive guide has the checklist.
2. Distance to the metro
Five minutes' walk from a station versus fifteen is typically a $50 – $100/month rent difference — and in January you pay that difference in comfort rather than cash. See our rooms near the metro guide.
3. Building age
A pre-1960 triplex with original windows costs more to heat than a renovated unit of the same size — sometimes double. An old apartment's lower rent can disappear entirely into the winter bill.
The neighbourhoods in detail
Plateau and Mile End — what people picture when they picture Montreal: outdoor staircases, cafés, green alleys, everything on foot. You pay for it. Mile End has less metro coverage than it looks; many residents walk 15 minutes to Laurier or Rosemont.
Villeray and Rosemont — the best value on the island right now. Real neighbourhood life, solid orange or blue line access, $100 – $150/month below the Plateau for a comparable place. Villeray is the single most common recommendation we give someone who's undecided.
NDG — green, mixed anglophone-francophone, close to Concordia Loyola and the MUHC. Well served by bus, orange line to the north. Rents stay reasonable because it reads as far from downtown — it's 20 to 25 minutes.
Côte-des-Neiges — one of the most international neighbourhoods in Canada, next to UdeM, very well connected. The lowest prices among central neighbourhoods, and a density of groceries and restaurants from everywhere that more than offsets the unremarkable architecture.
Verdun — the biggest transformation of the last decade. Riverfront, Lachine Canal, multiplying cafés, green line. Prices are rising but still sit below the Plateau.
Hochelaga — the cheapest within reasonable reach of downtown. Changing, good metro coverage, a strong local scene. Varies street to street: visit before you judge.
Downtown and Griffintown — you're paying for the walk. Sensible if you study at McGill, Concordia or UQAM, or work downtown. Griffintown is new and convenient but still short on neighbourhood retail.
Full profiles of each area are in our best neighbourhoods guide.
Timing changes the prices
It's October, which means you're in the quiet window. From October to February there's less inventory but almost no competition, and landlords with an empty room are open to a conversation. From March to June it's the reverse — more choice, but fifteen applicants per viewing and no negotiating room. Details in our off-season guide.
Viewing: what to check in October
Autumn reveals what summer hides:
- Drafts at windows and doors — run your hand around the frame
- Actual warmth of the bedroom, not just the living room
- Orientation — a north-facing room in January is a different room
- Street snow clearing — main streets are cleared early, side streets much later
- The walk to the metro, walked yourself, not estimated on a map
Full list: our viewing checklist.
FAQ
What's the cheapest neighbourhood for a room in Montreal? Hochelaga, then Côte-des-Neiges and Rosemont. Villeray and NDG offer the best balance of price and quality of life.
How much is a room in the Plateau? $750 – $950/month for a private room in a shared apartment, utilities often extra.
Is downtown worth the premium? If you study or work downtown, often yes — you save on transit and a lot of winter time.
Do prices drop in winter? Slightly, but the real gain is negotiating room and time to think.
Is a deposit required? No — security deposits are illegal in Quebec. Only first month's rent may be requested.
Bottom line
The gap between neighbourhoods is real, but three factors blur it: what's included, distance to the metro, and building age. Compare totals rather than headline rents, view in autumn conditions, and take advantage of the fact that October is the best month of the year to be looking.
Two all-inclusive reference points: Coliville — Le Sherwin (NDG) at C$160/week and Le Gramercy (downtown) at C$205/week, heat, Hydro, WiFi and cleaning included, no deposit.