Student Housing in Montreal: The Complete 2026 Guide
Montreal hosts more university students per capita than any other major city in North America — over 300,000 across McGill, Concordia, Université de Montréal, UQAM, and a dozen other institutions. That energy is what makes the city incredible for students. It is also what makes September housing a battlefield. This guide covers every student housing option in Montreal, what each actually costs, and how to lock in a place before the rush.
The short version: if residence is full or too restrictive, a furnished room with utilities included — like Coliville from C$160/week — is the fastest way to secure student housing without a Canadian credit history or a 12-month lease.
Option 1: University Residences
Every major Montreal university runs residences, and they are the default first thought for new students.
- McGill: Downtown residences (Royal Victoria College, New Residence Hall) run $12,000–$17,000 per academic year with meal plans. Guaranteed for first-year undergrads only.
- Concordia: Grey Nuns Residence and Loyola campus options, roughly $9,000–$14,000 per academic year. Limited spots.
- UdeM / UQAM: More affordable ($600–$900/month) but supply is thin and francophone-priority in practice.
The catch: residences are largely first-year territory. Most close or empty over summer, meal plans are mandatory in many buildings, and if you are a grad student, exchange student, or arriving mid-year, availability drops to near zero.
Option 2: Off-Campus Apartments
The traditional path for second-year students onward: team up with friends, find a 4½ (two-bedroom) near campus, split the rent.
- Cost per person: $700–$1,000/month in student corridors (Milton-Parc for McGill, Saint-Henri/NDG for Concordia, Côte-des-Neiges for UdeM).
- Upfront: furniture ($1,500+ each if starting from zero), hydro and internet setup, and a lease that runs to June 30 whether your semester does or not.
- The credit problem: landlords want proof of income (or a guarantor) and a Canadian credit check. International students often need a co-signer they do not have.
Off-campus works best when you already have a friend group and plan to stay 2+ years. For a full breakdown of leases and tenant rights, read our guide to renting a room in Montreal.
Option 3: Co-living — The Middle Path
Co-living gives you what residence promises (furnished room, community, zero setup) without the restrictions (curfews, meal plans, first-year priority, summer closures).
At Coliville, that looks like:
- Private furnished room — bed, desk, storage, done.
- All-inclusive pricing — WiFi, hydro, heating, and cleaning in one weekly rate: The Sherwin from C$160/week (
$693/month), The Gramercy from C$205/week ($888/month). - Flexible terms — semester-length stays welcome. No June-30 lease trap, no summer sublet scramble.
- No Canadian credit needed — the application is built for international and out-of-province students.
- Built-in roommates — housemates your age, matched for lifestyle, without the Kijiji lottery.
For international students landing at Trudeau airport with two suitcases and a study permit, this is the soft landing: apply online before you fly, move in the day you arrive.
Costs Side by Side
| Option | Monthly cost | Upfront | Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| University residence | $1,000–$1,700 (with meals) | Deposit + meal plan | Academic year |
| Off-campus shared apt | $700–$1,000 + utilities | $1,500–$3,000 (furniture etc.) | 12 months |
| Co-living (Coliville) | C$160–C$205/week, all-in | First payment only | Flexible |
| Solo studio downtown | $1,400–$1,700 + utilities | $2,000–$4,000 | 12 months |
Timing: When to Book What
- September intake: residences fill by March–April. Off-campus peaks (and turns brutal) May–June before Moving Day. Co-living books up through July–August.
- January intake: the quiet window. Residences are mostly closed to new entries; sublets and co-living are your realistic options — and availability is decent in November–December.
- Summer internships: May–August rooms go fast to intern cohorts. See our intern housing guide.
Golden rule: the later you are, the more a furnished flexible room beats everything else — it is the only option that does not punish you for imperfect timing.
Student Neighborhood Quick Guide
- Milton-Parc ("McGill Ghetto") — steps from McGill, dense student housing, premium prices for tired buildings.
- NDG — Concordia Loyola territory. Calmer, greener, better value. The Sherwin is in this corridor: C$160/week, all-in.
- Plateau / Mile End — for students who want the full Montreal cultural experience and will pay a bit more for it.
- Côte-des-Neiges — UdeM's backyard, multicultural, affordable, direct metro access.
- Downtown — Concordia SGW and McGill at your door. The Gramercy puts you here at C$205/week without downtown lease pricing.
Student Housing FAQ
Can international students rent without Canadian credit history? With most landlords, only with a guarantor. With co-living operators like Coliville — yes, that is the point. Apply here.
Is it cheaper to live in residence or off-campus? Off-campus wins on pure rent, but only after you absorb furniture, utilities, and a 12-month lease. For stays under a year, all-inclusive rooms usually come out ahead.
What is a 3½ or 4½? Quebec apartment code: the number counts rooms, the ½ is the bathroom. A 3½ = one-bedroom; a 4½ = two-bedroom.
When should I start looking for September? Residences: by February. Apartments: April–May. Co-living: June–July is comfortable, but the best rooms go early.
The Bottom Line
Residence is fine for first year — if you get in. Off-campus apartments make sense with an established friend group and a multi-year horizon. For everyone else — international students, exchange semesters, grad students, January arrivals — a furnished all-inclusive room is the option designed around how students actually live.
Montreal is waiting. Apply at Coliville — furnished student rooms from C$160/week, flexible terms, five minutes from the student life you came for.