Montreal rent prices climbed 2% in 2025 while most of Canada saw cuts, report finds
Average one-bedroom rents reached $1,693 in Montreal — up from $1,660 the year before — bucking a national trend as immigration held stronger in Quebec.
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Montreal's rental market moved in the opposite direction from most of Canada in 2025, with average unfurnished one-bedroom rents climbing 2% to $1,693 — while Vancouver, Toronto, and Alberta all posted declines, according to liv.rent's 2026 Rental Market Trend Report.
The gap is stark. Vancouver's one-bedroom rents fell 5.3% year-over-year, Greater Toronto Area rents dropped 5%, and Alberta declined 4.6%. Montreal was one of the few major markets where prices went up rather than down.
The national softening is tied to shifting migration patterns. Fewer newcomers arrived in Canada in 2025 as federal immigration targets tightened, interprovincial moves slowed, and a record number of people left the country. With less competition for units, rents eased in most major centres.
Québec was more insulated from these changes than most provinces. The province maintained relatively stable immigration levels while others saw steeper drops, keeping demand up and rents supported in Montreal even as the rest of the country cooled. Meanwhile, roughly 15,900 people left Quebec last year — just 13% of all departures from Canada, despite Quebec representing about 22% of the country's population.
Within Montreal, neighbourhood variation is significant. Downtown remains the priciest area at $1,890 for a one-bedroom, while Hochelaga-Maisonneuve is the most affordable at $1,462. Verdun and Westmount posted the largest gains, with Verdun up 13.3% for furnished rents and three-bedroom units there rising 19%.
Liv.rent expects Montreal rents to stay relatively stable in 2026, unlike Vancouver and Greater Toronto, which the report pegs for further declines. The figures are based on current asking rents from active listings rather than building-wide data, reflecting what's being advertised rather than what every tenant pays.
The facts
How much did Montreal one-bedroom rents increase in 2025?
Montreal one-bedroom rents climbed 2% in 2025 to an average of $1,693, up from $1,660 the year before.
How did Montreal rents compare to other major Canadian cities in 2025?
Montreal rents rose while Vancouver fell 5.3%, the Greater Toronto Area dropped 5%, and Alberta declined 4.6% year-over-year.
Which Montreal neighbourhood had the largest rent increase?
Verdun posted the largest gains, with furnished rents up 13.3% and three-bedroom units rising 19%.
What's the most expensive neighbourhood for one-bedroom rents in Montreal?
Downtown Montreal is the priciest area at $1,890 for a one-bedroom.
