Montreal is, by almost any measure that matters to students, the best city in Canada to be a student. World-ranked McGill University (top 50 globally), Concordia University, North America's lowest major-city student rents, Quebec's unique rent control protection, a food culture that genuinely rivals Paris, and one of the world's most vibrant arts and music calendars — all in a city that actively celebrates and supports its 250,000+ student population more visibly than any other Canadian urban centre. StudentBuddy helps students find verified student accommodation in Montreal and access scholarships for studying in Canada.
Montreal is Canada's best student city because it combines world top 50 McGill University and Concordia with Canada's lowest major-city rents ($750–$1,100/month shared room), Quebec rent control that prevents arbitrary annual increases, an extraordinary food and arts scene, genuine French-English bilingualism that adds professional career value, and a city culture that centres student life more than any other Canadian city.
Montreal's university landscape
McGill University is Canada's most internationally celebrated university — sometimes called Canada's Oxford. Downtown campus at the foot of Mont Royal. Exceptional programmes in medicine, law, engineering, and arts. Primarily English-language. International undergraduate tuition approximately CAD $22,000–$30,000/year — significantly lower than UofT or UBC due to Quebec's post-secondary funding structure.
Concordia University has 50,000+ students and strong programmes in fine arts (one of Canada's best), engineering, business, and communications. Downtown Sir George Williams campus on Mackay Street and Loyola campus in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce serve different student communities. More cosmopolitan, creative, and diverse in student culture than McGill.
Université de Montréal and UQAM serve primarily Francophone students with outstanding professional faculties. HEC Montréal (affiliated with UdeM) is one of Canada's most respected business schools.
Why Montreal is structurally affordable — not temporarily
Montreal's affordability has structural causes that are durable, not accidental. Quebec's Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) regulates annual rent increases for existing tenants, preventing landlords from arbitrary year-on-year increases. Montreal's housing stock — primarily low-rise plex buildings (duplexes and triplexes) — provides more units relative to demand than high-rise-dominated cities. And Quebec's lower average household income creates a lower overall price level. The practical result: a shared room in Plateau-Mont-Royal — one of North America's most beautiful districts — costs $750–$1,050/month. The same in Toronto's Annex: $1,200–$1,600.
| Monthly expense | Montreal | Toronto | Vancouver | Montreal advantage/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared room | $750–$1,100 | $1,100–$1,600 | $1,200–$1,700 | $350–$600 cheaper |
| STM/TTC student pass | $56 | $128 | $46.75 | $72 less than Toronto |
| Casual restaurant meal | $12–$18 | $18–$25 | $16–$24 | $4–$8 cheaper |
| Weekly groceries | $80–$110 | $100–$140 | $100–$130 | $20–$30 cheaper |
| Total monthly (excl. tuition) | $1,400–$2,000 | $2,000–$2,800 | $2,100–$2,700 | $600–$700 cheaper/month |
Montreal's extraordinary student cultural life
Montreal International Jazz Festival (world's largest, 3 million visitors annually), Just for Laughs comedy festival, Osheaga music festival, Igloofest (winter electronic music on the Old Port harbour), and one of North America's most celebrated year-round independent arts and music scenes. The Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood's density of independent galleries, performance spaces, and live music venues at student-accessible prices is unmatched in Canadian cities. Montreal's bagels (wood-fired, hand-rolled, a genuine Montreal original), smoked meat, poutine, and diverse immigrant cuisine make eating brilliantly in Montreal cost a fraction of equivalent quality in Toronto or Vancouver.
"I chose Montreal over UofT because of cost. I stayed because Montreal is the best city I have ever lived in. The food, the culture, the cost, the bilingual environment, the friendships, the feeling that the city actually wants students to be there. I graduated with zero debt. I have no idea how I would have done that anywhere else."
— Isabelle M., Law graduate, McGill University
Choosing Montreal? Find your student accommodation early — the July 1 deadline matters.
Montreal leases start July 1. The best apartments near McGill and Concordia rent in February and March for the following academic year. Browse StudentBuddy and book before the best options are gone.
Find student accommodation in Canada →Frequently asked questions
No. McGill and Concordia are primarily English-language institutions. All instruction, administration, and student support are in English. Living in Montreal involves daily French exposure, but most Montrealers switch to English readily. Many students find that 2–4 years in Montreal develops useful French proficiency naturally, even without formal courses.
Quebec's TAL (Tribunal administratif du logement) regulates rent increases for existing tenants. Montreal's large stock of low-rise plex buildings provides more units relative to demand. Quebec's lower average income creates a lower overall price level. This affordability is structural and durable — it reflects the province's deliberate housing policy, not a temporary market condition.
Yes. Montreal consistently ranks among Canada's safer major cities. Plateau-Mont-Royal, Mile End, McGill Ghetto (Milton-Parc), and Shaughnessy Village near Concordia are active, lively, and safe at most hours. The city's pedestrian and cycling culture keeps streets populated through day and evening.
Quebec's standard lease year runs July 1 to June 30. For students starting in September, this means signing a lease with a July 1 start, typically in March or April for the following academic year. Search for your September accommodation in February–March, not in summer. The best apartments near McGill are rented months before September.
Both are excellent. McGill is globally ranked higher and stronger in research-intensive programmes. Concordia has a larger, more diverse student body and exceptional fine arts, engineering, and business programmes. McGill's international tuition is slightly lower due to Quebec's funding structure. Concordia has more accessible admission for many international students. The better choice depends entirely on your field and personal priorities.
