Childcare Costs in Montreal vs Salary (2026)
Full-time infant care in Montreal runs about C$700 a month — C$8,400 a year, or 11.2% of the median Canada household income of C$75,000. Here is what that means for the decision to go back to work.
The Montreal numbers at a glance
| Figure | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Infant daycare (0–2), full time | C$700 | C$8,400 |
| Preschooler care (3–4), full time | C$650 | C$7,800 |
| Median 2-bedroom rent | C$1,900 | C$22,800 |
| Commute for the returning parent | C$200 | C$2,400 |
| Groceries, family of four | C$1,200 | C$14,400 |
| Median household income | C$6,250 | C$75,000 |
Estimates for 2026, rounded. Childcare: Statistics Canada — Child care arrangements & fees. Income: Statistics Canada — Household income statistics. Housing: CMHC Rental Market Report. See the full methodology and dataset.
What salary do you need to break even in Montreal?
One child in care
C$11,000
Gross salary needed just to cover C$10,800 of childcare and commuting after tax.
Two children in care
C$19,500
Gross salary needed to cover C$18,600 of care for an infant plus a preschooler, and the commute.
Below those numbers, a second income in Montreal is effectively unpaid work once childcare and travel are deducted — the classic second-earner trap. Above them, every extra C$1,000 of salary is real money, plus pension contributions and the wage growth you keep by staying in the workforce (see the opportunity cost of staying home).
Break-even assumes the returning parent's salary is taxed on its own at Canada rates, with no subsidy applied. Local subsidies — see the Canada guide — can move the line significantly.
Run your own Montreal numbers
Load the Montreal averages into the calculator and replace them with your actual salary, rent and nursery quote. It compares up to three scenarios side by side — both parents working, one at home, and part-time.
- • Household income: C$75,000/yr
- • Childcare: C$700/mo
- • Housing: C$1,900/mo
- • Commute: C$200/mo
Montreal childcare questions parents ask
How much does daycare cost in Montreal?
Full-time infant daycare in Montreal averages about C$700 per month (C$8,400 a year) in 2026. Care for a 3–4 year old is lower, around C$650 per month, because staff-to-child ratios are less demanding.
Is it worth going back to work in Montreal?
With one child in full-time care you need to earn roughly C$11,000 gross just to break even on childcare and commuting in Montreal. With two children in care that rises to about C$19,500. Below those lines the second income is close to unpaid work in cash terms, though pension contributions and future wage growth still count.
What share of income goes to childcare in Montreal?
One infant in full-time care costs about 11.2% of the median Canada household income of C$75,000. Add a median two-bedroom rent of C$1,900 a month and childcare plus housing consume roughly 41.6% of gross household income.
How can families in Montreal lower childcare costs?
The usual levers are claiming every subsidy available in Canada, sharing a nanny with another family, shifting to a 3–4 day week so you pay for fewer days, staggering parents' hours, and timing your return for when your child moves into the cheaper preschool room.
Compare with other Canada cities
- Childcare costs in Toronto
- Childcare costs in Ottawa
- Childcare costs in Vancouver
- Childcare costs in Calgary
- Childcare costs in Edmonton
See all cities and states · Childcare costs by country · Living wage for a family with kids