Skip to content

Chicago vs Montreal

Montreal runs about 39% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 1,666 USD a month.

View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
The skyline of downtown Montreal, Quebec (pop. 1,762,000). It's the 2nd-largest city in Canada, and 8th-largest in North America.
Montreal
$2,569/month · Canada
Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Montreal monthly
$2,569
Index 40 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-39%
Montreal relative to Chicago
Rent gap
$928
Chicago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ChicagoMontreal
  • Housing
    Housing: Chicago $2,228, Montreal $1,300. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Food
    Food: Chicago $788, Montreal $674. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chicago $154, Montreal $152. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chicago $221, Montreal $191. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chicago $525, Montreal $8.10. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chicago $170, Montreal $149. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Other
    Other: Chicago $149, Montreal $94. Cheaper in Montreal.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricChicagoMontreal
Cost
Total monthly cost4,234 USD2,569 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6640✓
Housing2,228 USD1,300 USD✓
Utilities221 USD191 USD✓
Food788 USD674 USD✓
Transport154 USD152 USD✓
Healthcare525 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle170 USD149 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,228 USD✓5,572 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.3%✓33.1%
Left over each month1,993 USD3,003 USD✓
Average local net salary4,400 USD✓2,900 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,228 USD1,300 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre4,244 USD2,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,500 USD✓5,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety52/10080/100✓
Healthcare84/100✓82/100
Air quality62/10076/100✓
Public transport78/10078/100
Walkability80/10082/100✓
English proficiency100/100✓72/100
Nightlife88/100✓84/100
Family friendliness66/10084/100✓
Median broadband210 Mbps✓200 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature10°C7°C✓
Summer high29°C26°C✓
Winter low-8°C✓-14°C
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓2,050 h
Annual rainfall990 mm✓1000 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓40 min
CurrencyUSDCAD
Time zoneAmerica/ChicagoAmerica/Toronto

Montreal runs about 39% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 1,666 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in ChicagoCost of living in MontrealConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Chicago vs SeattleChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs Vancouver
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chicago or Montreal cheaper?

Montreal runs about 39% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 1,666 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Montreal compared with Chicago?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,228 a month in Chicago and $5,572 in Montreal, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Chicago or Montreal?

Chicago scores 52/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Montreal scores 80 and 82. Chicago averages 10°C against 7°C in Montreal.