Top 5 Cheapest Neighborhoods to live in Montreal with the Best Quality of life — 2024

Montreal’s best neighborhoods boast amenities like family-friendly parks, schools, libraries, and community centers, ensuring residents have easy access to essential services and recreational opportunities. This blend of cultural richness, diversity, safety, affordability, and community spirit make Montreal an appealing destination for those seeking an enriching lifestyle. 

While housing costs vary, neighborhoods in Montreal generally offer more affordable living options compared to other cities, enabling residents to find housing within their budget without sacrificing quality of life. 

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly place with a high standard of living, here are the top 5 cheapest neighborhoods to live in Montreal with the best quality of life in 2024.

Methodology

We based our ranking of the 5 cheapest neighborhoods to live in Montreal on the average cost of buying a property, the average cost of rent for a 1-bed apartment in December 2023, and the quality of life. Statistics come from Realtor.ca for the average cost of buying a property and Zumper for the average cost of rent for a 1-bedroom apartment.

The “Best quality of life” aspect is measured based on feedback from real people who have moved to this area in our database or real people from trusted online forums. More specifically, we look for positive feedback on job opportunities, quality of education, quality of healthcare, feeling of safety, public transportation, environment (cleanliness), as well as availability of recreational facilities and parks.

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Cheapest Neighborhoods to live in Montreal

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1. LaSalle

Apartment in Lasalle
  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,450
  • Average cost of buying a property: $689,632

LaSalle offers a mix of small-town charm, modern amenities, and exceptional schools, making it an ideal choice for families with children. LaSalle motto appears on the coat of arms, “He pushes away obstacles, he casts aside difficulties”. 

The area promotes a strong sense of community. You can expect to find 1 library, 1 large park known as Parc des Rapides and more than 40 neighborhoods parks, 2 arenas, 5 outdoor ice rinks, 10 tennis courts, 1 hospital centre, to name a few. It is worth noting LaSalle is also known for its higher education institution known as Cégep Angré-Laurendeau.

LaSalle is also an affordable place amongst our list of 5 neighborhoods. As of December 2023, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,450 and the average cost of buying a property is $689,632

Ville de Montréal – LaSalle (2023), Realtor (Dec 2023) & Zumper (Dec 2023)

LaSalle, Montreal

2. Lachine

Apartment in Lachine
  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,338
  • Average cost of buying a property: $810,250

Lachine offers its residents a range of heritage sites due to its long-standing history, as well as, peaceful parks, sports facilities and education institutions. Lachine benefits from its location and accessibility to two major train stations and three highways known as the 20, 13 and the 138.

If you are looking for a place near to all of Montreal, Lachine is perfect for you. It is a 5-minute drive to Montreal International Airport (YUL), a 19-minute drive to downtown Montreal and extremely close to l’échangeur turcot, which joins all the major highways of Montreal. 

Most of the residents in Lachine are growing families with children, with a growing population of 45 743. Residents love spending time by the water at Vieux-Lachine or Old Lachine with its historical buildings and performance halls. You can find all the commercial shops on Notre-Dame street, where the Lachine Market is located. 

As of December 2023, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,338 and the average cost of buying a property is $810,250.

Realtor (Dec 2023) & Zumper (Dec 2023)

Lachine, Montreal

3. Verdun

Apartment in Verdun
  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,483
  • Average cost of buying a property: $935,625

Verdun offers a mix of residential and commercial spaces, making it an ideal place to live and work. Located in the southeastern part of the island, Verdun has something for everyone. It even has a beach known as Plage Urbaine de Verdun – which is very rare in Montreal. 

If you have a furry friend, Verdun has over 39 km of paths and cycle paths, with over 10 km of pedestrian walk paths located near the local river. As for driving, Verdun is connected to the rest of Montreal through access to highways 15 and 20. 

Its other amenities include Wellington Street, where in the summer, you can enjoy the famous Verdun Jazz Fest with live music and food offered to everyone! Not only is this place safe, with an impressively low crime rate of 22.26 crimes per 1000 people, but it is also affordable. As of December 2023, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,483, and the average cost of buying a property is $935,625.

Ville de Montréal – Verdun (2023), Realtor (Dec 2023) & Zumper (Dec 2023)

Verdun, Montreal

4. NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce)

Top 5 Cheapest Neighborhoods to live in Montreal with the Best Quality of life — 2024 - NDG
  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $1,479
  • Average cost of buying a property: $997,811

Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce offers diverse and welcoming neighborhoods for students, newcomers, families, and young professionals. Its multicultural atmosphere, vibrant community spirit, and engaging architecture makes it a lively place to live. As Montreal’s most populous borough, it serves as a transportation hub and is home to top educational and health institutions.

The Le Triangle neighborhoods, bordered by Rue Jean-Talon on the south, Boulevard Décarie on the west, and the Town of Mount Royal on the northeast, is undergoing constant transformation. It’s a newly established area centered around the Namur subway station, following Transit-Oriented Development principles, emphasizing sustainable urban planning practices.

If you are planning to settle in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, as of December 2023, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,479 and the average cost of buying a property is $997,811.

Ville de Montréal – Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (Dec 2023), Realtor (Dec 2023) & Zumper (Dec 2023)

Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Montreal

5. St-Henri

Top 5 Cheapest Neighborhoods to live in Montreal with the Best Quality of life — 2024 - St. henri
  • Average rent for 1-bedroom apartment: $2,590
  • Average cost of buying a property: $863,583

Saint-Henri isn’t just a place; it’s a lifestyle centered around great food, stunning scenery, and rich history. Gastronomy, music, history, and vast green spaces converge in this southwest area, making it a top spot for upscale living, recreation, and dining. With its blend of modernity and industrial heritage, Saint-Henri offers an eclectic urban village vibe, attracting a diverse mix of urban professionals, artists, and families. 

While some former factories have transformed into high-end condos, while picturesque alleys and historic monuments add to its charm, it is still considered one of the cheapest neighborhoods with the best quality of life. As of December 2023, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,590, and the average cost of buying a property is $863,583.

Food enthusiasts will delight in the renowned Atwater Market and the diverse culinary scene along Notre-Dame Street, offering cuisines from around the world. As one of the Quartiers du Canal, Saint-Henri boasts a dynamic indie art scene, impressive heritage architecture, and evolving streetscapes along the historic Lachine Canal, making it one of Montreal’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Ville de Montréal – Centre Saint-Henri (Dec 2023), Realtor (Dec 2023) & Realtor (Dec 2023)

St-Henri, Montreal

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Conclusion

When seeking affordable yet high-quality living in Montreal, consider neighborhoods with ample amenities and community centers for convenience. Prioritize safety and community spirit by choosing areas with strong community ties. 

While housing costs may vary across neighborhoods, exploring options that offer affordability without compromising on essential amenities or safety is key. By considering these factors, individuals can find great neighborhoods to live in Montreal that offer a satisfying balance of quality of life and affordability.

Are you planning to move soon? Learn about the best Montreal movers!

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Ann Nacario

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Meet Ann – our head writer with a knack for making moving and city living a breeze. From the many details of moving to picking the perfect moving company, she’s your guide. Ann has a friendly yet detailed approach to ensure your move goes off without a hitch. When she’s not writing about relocation, it will always be on her mind, but you’ll catch her spending time with her three furry friends.
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