Cost of living in Quebec City

Rent, everyday prices and the gross salary you may need to cover living costs in Quebec City.

Numbeo data as of 1 June 2026
About this data
Living costs
Numbeo household estimates and average prices from a snapshot taken on 1 June 2026. Prices are reported by users, so coverage and recency vary by city.
Salary
Grossed up through Expatica's tax rules for Canada (2026), one employment income per adult, no savings.
Currency
Shown in CAD, converted from the US dollar figures at Wise mid-market rates of 21 October 2026.

Source: Numbeo. All sources and method

One person, a month

CAD 1,422

Living costs excluding rent

Family of four, a month

CAD 5,117

Living costs excluding rent

One-bedroom rent, centre

CAD 1,362

A month

Gross salary, one person

CAD 39,000

to cover living costs in Quebec City

Quebec City's cost of living at a glance

Quebec City is one of the least expensive cities in both Canada and North America. The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Quebec City are CAD 1,422, excluding rent. Living costs for a family of four are CAD 5,117 a month, excluding rent.

A single person in Quebec City may need a gross salary of at least CAD 39,000 a year to cover estimated living costs, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.

See how Quebec City compares

One person's monthly costs

Numbeo household estimate in CAD, with the rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre

  • RentCAD 1,362
  • GroceriesCAD 494
  • Eating outCAD 271
  • TransportCAD 101
  • UtilitiesCAD 228
  • LeisureCAD 77.38
  • Other estimated costsCAD 250

Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.

How Quebec City compares

One person's monthly costs in Quebec City, excluding rent, are 6.1% lower than in the typical city in Canada and 12.3% higher than in the typical city worldwide.

Where Quebec City ranks

In Canada

59th of 67

One person's monthly costs including rent, most expensive first.

In North America

350th of 418

Cities in North America with a Numbeo estimate, most expensive first.

Worldwide

61st percentile

Costs the same as or more than 61% of 1,942 cities: around the middle of the cost range.

One-bedroom rent, centre

58th of 67

Cities in Canada, most expensive first.

Monthly costs against the typical city

  • Quebec City
  • Typical national city
  • Typical city worldwide

Tap a line or a table row to read its three amounts.

Monthly costQuebec CityTypical national cityTypical city worldwide
RentCAD 1,362CAD 1,908 −28.6%CAD 1,043 +30.6%
GroceriesCAD 494CAD 500 −1.2%CAD 395 +25.2%
Eating outCAD 271CAD 265 +2.2%CAD 222 +22.1%
TransportCAD 101CAD 96.96 +4.2%CAD 56.18 +79.9%
UtilitiesCAD 228CAD 289 −21.0%CAD 245 −7.1%
LeisureCAD 77.38CAD 87.68 −11.7%CAD 87.04 −11.1%
Total excluding rentCAD 1,422CAD 1,514 −6.1%CAD 1,266 +12.3%
Total including rentCAD 2,784CAD 3,376 −17.5%CAD 2,350 +18.5%

Typical = the median of 67 cities in Canada and 1,942 cities worldwide.

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Explore prices in Quebec City

The average price for each item, and the range from the lowest to the highest price people have reported.

Renting in Quebec City

Quebec City is the 10th cheapest city in Canada for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. The closest-priced city in Canada is St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.

A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs CAD 1,362 a month.

Outside the centre, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs CAD 1,116 a month.

A one-bedroom apartment in the centre is around 22% more expensive to rent than one outside the centre.

ItemAverage pricePrice range
1-bed apartment in the city centre
Monthly rent
CAD 1,362CAD 1,135–CAD 1,692
1-bed apartment outside the centre
Monthly rent
CAD 1,116CAD 954–CAD 1,712
3-bed apartment in the city centre
Monthly rent
CAD 2,164CAD 1,929–CAD 2,744
3-bed apartment outside the centre
Monthly rent
CAD 1,761CAD 1,238–CAD 2,083
Price per m² in the city centreCAD 8,642CAD 7,014–CAD 12,248
Price per m² outside the centreCAD 4,149CAD 3,816–CAD 4,353

Cost of everyday items in Quebec City

Groceries in Quebec City cost about the same as the average for Canada, while eating out is around 4% more expensive than the country average.

A litre of milk typically costs CAD 3.36.

A 500g loaf of fresh white bread typically costs CAD 4.28.

A pack of 20 cigarettes typically costs CAD 21.45.

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Milk, 1 litreCAD 3.36CAD 2.06–CAD 5.15
Fresh white bread, 500gCAD 4.28CAD 3.09–CAD 5.45
Eggs, 12 largeCAD 4.45CAD 3.61–CAD 5.20
Local cheese, 1kgCAD 14.73CAD 8.25–CAD 30.94
Chicken fillets, 1kgCAD 15.70CAD 6.19–CAD 20.63
Beef round, 1kgCAD 16.84CAD 10.31–CAD 23.72
Apples, 1kgCAD 6.21CAD 3.09–CAD 7.22
Oranges, 1kgCAD 5.84CAD 2.94–CAD 7.22
Potatoes, 1kgCAD 3.99CAD 1.36–CAD 8.25
Lettuce, 1 headCAD 3.79CAD 2.06–CAD 6.19
White rice, 1kgCAD 5.84CAD 3.61–CAD 8.25
Tomatoes, 1kgCAD 5.60CAD 2.58–CAD 9.07
Bananas, 1kgCAD 2.33CAD 1.55–CAD 4.13
Onions, 1kgCAD 4.54CAD 3.09–CAD 6.19
Water, 1.5 litre bottleCAD 2.08CAD 1.03–CAD 3.09
Mid-range bottle of wineCAD 15.98CAD 12.37–CAD 20.63
Domestic beer, 0.5 litre bottleCAD 4.27CAD 2.32–CAD 6.25
Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottleCAD 5.34CAD 4.13–CAD 8.25
Cigarettes, 20 packCAD 21.45CAD 15.46–CAD 21.66

Eating out in Quebec City

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantCAD 25.79CAD 15.46–CAD 36.10
Three-course meal for twoCAD 99.84CAD 72.97–CAD 134
Fast food combo mealCAD 15.46CAD 15.46–CAD 18.57
Domestic beer, 0.5 litre draughtCAD 7.74CAD 4.13–CAD 10.31
Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottleCAD 7.74CAD 6.19–CAD 10.31
Soft drink, 0.33 litre bottleCAD 2.94CAD 2.06–CAD 4.13
Water, 0.33 litre bottleCAD 2.12CAD 1.03–CAD 3.09
CappuccinoCAD 5.53CAD 4.13–CAD 7.22

Transport in Quebec City

ItemAverage pricePrice range
One-way public transport ticketCAD 3.86CAD 3.86–CAD 4.13
Monthly public transport passCAD 101CAD 92.83–CAD 103
Gasoline, 1 litreCAD 1.67CAD 1.55–CAD 1.97
Taxi startCAD 4.23CAD 4.23–CAD 5.93
Taxi, per kmCAD 2.12CAD 2.12–CAD 3.20
Taxi waiting, 1 hourCAD 50.54CAD 50.54–CAD 50.54
Volkswagen Golf, newCAD 40,824CAD 40,824–CAD 40,824
Toyota Corolla sedan, newCAD 28,793CAD 25,951–CAD 42,138

Utilities in Quebec City

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment
Monthly
CAD 143CAD 87.68–CAD 223
Broadband internet
Monthly
CAD 65.78CAD 51.58–CAD 91.80
Mobile phone plan
Monthly
CAD 50.89CAD 36.10–CAD 77.35

How is Quebec City for families?

A family of four with two adults and two children may need a gross household income of CAD 105,000 a year in Quebec City, excluding childcare costs.

Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs CAD 1,010 a month.

A three-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs CAD 2,164 a month.

Quebec City scores 78/100 on Numbeo's safety index.

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Family of four, excluding rent
Monthly, Numbeo household estimate
CAD 5,117Not applicable
Family of four, including rent
Monthly, Numbeo household estimate
CAD 7,281Not applicable
Private preschool or kindergarten
Monthly
CAD 1,010CAD 650–CAD 1,387
International primary school
Annual
CAD 13,558CAD 13,295–CAD 13,821

Leisure and clothing in Quebec City

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Gym membership
Monthly
CAD 56.45CAD 28.27–CAD 102
Tennis court rental, 1 hourCAD 20.93CAD 20.63–CAD 20.93
Cinema ticketCAD 15.98CAD 13.41–CAD 21.07
JeansCAD 86.83CAD 42.14–CAD 103
Summer dress from a chain storeCAD 71.26CAD 30.94–CAD 155
Nike running shoesCAD 138CAD 103–CAD 186
Men's leather business shoesCAD 159CAD 144–CAD 186

Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.

What salary do I need to live in Quebec City?

By combining Numbeo's living-cost estimates with the tax rates in Canada, we can estimate the gross salary you would need to live in Quebec City. Use the calculator below to see how much you would need to live in Quebec City, and where your money goes.

Your household

Housing location
Housing location

Select the number of children before choosing child care or school.

CAD

Money left over after tax and living costs. Leave blank for none.

Savings target period
Savings target period
Show amounts
Show annual or monthly amounts

Recommended gross salary

CAD 38,570

Needed to support 1 adult and no children in Quebec City, living in a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre.

Take-home pay
CAD 30,455
Living costs
CAD 30,455
Tax and contributions
CAD 8,115

Where your salary goes

CAD 38,570gross a year
  • Living costsCAD 30,45579.0%
  • Income tax and contributionsCAD 8,11521.0%
How the recommended income was worked out
OperatorItemA year
Gross salaryCAD 38,570
−Income tax and contributionsCAD 8,115
=Take-home payCAD 30,455
−RentCAD 13,395
−GroceriesCAD 5,926
−Eating outCAD 3,255
−TransportCAD 1,213
−UtilitiesCAD 2,736
−LeisureCAD 929
−Other estimated costsCAD 3,001
=Left over: savings targetCAD 0

CAD 38,570 gross salary modelled as one employment income gives a 21.0% effective tax rate and CAD 8,115 estimated deductions a year. Use our salary tax calculator for a more detailed estimate.

What the estimate includes

  • Rent for your housing choice and Numbeo's household living costs for your household size
  • National income tax for 2026
  • Employee social contributions, simplified

What it doesn't include

  • Regional, state or local income tax
  • Joint filing, partner income and household allowances
  • Age, pension, expat-regime or special-residency rules
  • Bonuses, benefits and other income
  • Child care or school unless you choose it

Don't agree with our estimates? Help us improve our cost-of-living model.

How each cost is worked out

Rent. The selected one-bedroom apartment outside the centre in Quebec City costs an estimated CAD 1,116 per month. CAD 1,116 per month × 12 months = CAD 13,395 a year.

Groceries. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Quebec City spends an estimated CAD 494 on groceries per month. CAD 494 per month × 12 months = CAD 5,926 a year.

Eating out. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Quebec City spends an estimated CAD 271 on eating out per month. CAD 271 per month × 12 months = CAD 3,255 a year.

Transport. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Quebec City spends an estimated CAD 101 on transport per month. CAD 101 per month × 12 months = CAD 1,213 a year.

Utilities. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Quebec City spends an estimated CAD 228 on utilities per month. CAD 228 per month × 12 months = CAD 2,736 a year.

Leisure. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Quebec City spends an estimated CAD 77.38 on leisure per month. CAD 77.38 per month × 12 months = CAD 929 a year.

Other estimated costs. Numbeo's household estimate for miscellaneous costs: this may include things like clothing, shoes and entertainment costs. CAD 250 per month × 12 months = CAD 3,001 a year.

See the prices behind each category · How living costs and salaries are calculated

Tax estimate assumptions

Tax year 2026. One resident employee and one employment income are assumed. Federal tax only, effective from January 1, 2026. Lowest bracket rate reduced to 14% (from 14.5% in 2025). Thresholds indexed by 2%. Excludes Provincial/Territorial tax.

Try Expatica's tax calculator for Canada

Important

This calculator gives an estimate of the income needed to cover living costs. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. It uses Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026, Canada's tax rules for 2026 and Wise exchange rates of 21 October 2026, and models one employment income. Check your figures with the salary tax calculator or the official rules in PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries / CRA.

Figures for 1 adult, outside the centre, no savings target.

Cost of living in Quebec City: common questions

Is Quebec City expensive to live in?

Quebec City is one of the least expensive cities in both Canada and North America.

A single person spends about CAD 1,422 a month excluding rent, against CAD 1,514 in the typical city in Canada (the median of 67 cities, Numbeo, as of 1 June 2026).

Worldwide, Quebec City costs the same as or more than 61% of the 1,942 cities with a Numbeo household estimate, which makes it around the middle of the cost range.

What salary do you need to live in Quebec City?

A single person may need a gross salary of at least CAD 39,000 a year to cover estimated living costs in Quebec City, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.

This is an estimate from Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026 and Canada's tax rules for 2026. Use the salary calculator to add your household, housing and a savings target.

How much is rent in Quebec City?

A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs CAD 1,362 a month, and CAD 1,116 outside the centre, according to Numbeo averages as of 1 June 2026.

A three-bedroom apartment costs about CAD 2,164 a month in the centre and CAD 1,761 outside it.

Quebec City is the 10th cheapest city in Canada for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.

How much does a family spend in Quebec City?

A family of four spends about CAD 5,117 a month on living costs excluding rent, or CAD 7,281 including rent, according to Numbeo's household estimate as of 1 June 2026.

With two adults earning and a three-bedroom home outside the centre, the household may need a gross income of CAD 105,000 a year, excluding childcare costs.

Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs CAD 1,010 a month per child.

How does Quebec City compare with Canada's other cities?

Quebec City ranks 59th of 67 cities in Canada for one person's monthly costs including rent, where 1st is the most expensive.

Excluding rent, one person's costs are 6.1% less than in the typical city in Canada.

Where this data comes from

Living costs and prices
Numbeo, snapshot of 1 June 2026
Exchange rates
Wise mid-market rates, 21 October 2026
Tax rules
Expatica salary tax calculator, Canada 2026
Locations and population
GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 1 October 2026
Regions for continent ranks
UN M49 regions

Important

All amounts are indicative estimates, not quotes or financial advice. Numbeo's prices are reported by users, so coverage and recency vary by city: check rents and prices locally before you commit to a move.

Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase.

How living costs and salaries are calculated
  • Your household size (adults and children, one to six people) picks Numbeo's household estimate for groceries, eating out, transport, utilities, leisure and rent.
  • Rent is replaced by the price of a one-bedroom apartment (one or two people) or a three-bedroom apartment (three or more), in or outside the centre. A flatshare, for one adult without children, is a third of a three-bedroom home.
  • "Other estimated costs" is Numbeo's household total less the named categories, not a separately reported price. Where a total is below its own categories, we use the categories, and a larger household's costs other than rent are never lower than a smaller household's.
  • Child care and school are optional: preschool uses the city's monthly price for each child, international primary school its annual fee spread over 12 months. Children's ages, eligibility and public provision are not modelled.
  • The salary is the gross income that leaves these costs, plus your savings target, after tax under Expatica's rules for Canada (2026). One adult has one employment income; two adults are two earners splitting it evenly, with no joint filing or household allowances. What the tax model covers is listed with the result.
  • Numbeo's figures are in US dollars, converted with one set of Wise mid-market rates. Without them, amounts stay in US dollars and no salary is estimated.
How cities are compared and matched
  • A typical city is the median of one person's monthly costs across the 67 cities in Canada in this guide and across the 1,942 cities worldwide with a Numbeo household estimate. Each row is its own median, so the rows do not add up.
  • Ranks put the most expensive city first, and equal estimates share a rank. The worldwide percentile is the share of those 1,942 cities whose one-person monthly total, rent included, is the same or lower than Quebec City's.
  • Nearby cities are places in this guide, possibly across a border, by straight-line distance between GeoNames location points.
  • Comparable cities are in the same GeoNames population band (under 100,000, 100,000–499,999, 500,000–999,999, or 1 million and above; a neighbouring band, labelled, when a band has too few countries), one per country, outside Canada and not already listed as nearby. Population years and boundaries vary, so the bands are rough size guides.
  • The match score compares a single person's costs excluding rent and the rent of a central one-bedroom apartment. For each, we divide the lower city's price by the higher; the score is the square root of the two ratios multiplied together, × 100. If both prices are 80% of the other city's, the match is 80%; if both are twice as high, 50%. It measures how close the costs are, not which city is cheaper or how alike they are to live in.