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Vancouver vs Montreal

Montreal runs about 27% cheaper than Vancouver for this household, a difference of 972 USD a month.

Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic
Vancouver
$3,541/month · Canada
GoToVan from Vancouver, Canada · 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
Vancouver monthly
$3,541
Index 55 (NYC = 100)
Montreal monthly
$2,569
Index 40 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-27%
Montreal relative to Vancouver
Rent gap
$800
Vancouver costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

VancouverMontreal
  • Housing
    Housing: Vancouver $2,100, Montreal $1,300. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Food
    Food: Vancouver $774, Montreal $674. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Transport
    Transport: Vancouver $162, Montreal $152. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Vancouver $221, Montreal $191. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Vancouver $9.20, Montreal $8.10. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Vancouver $168, Montreal $149. Cheaper in Montreal.
  • Other
    Other: Vancouver $107, 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

MetricVancouverMontreal
Cost
Total monthly cost3,541 USD2,569 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5540✓
Housing2,100 USD1,300 USD✓
Utilities221 USD191 USD✓
Food774 USD674 USD✓
Transport162 USD152 USD✓
Healthcare9 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle168 USD149 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,088 USD✓5,572 USD
Effective tax + social rate26.9%✓33.1%
Left over each month2,547 USD3,003 USD✓
Average local net salary3,300 USD✓2,900 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD1,300 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,700 USD2,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre10,500 USD5,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety74/10080/100✓
Healthcare84/100✓82/100
Air quality84/100✓76/100
Public transport70/10078/100✓
Walkability76/10082/100✓
English proficiency96/100✓72/100
Nightlife72/10084/100✓
Family friendliness82/10084/100✓
Median broadband210 Mbps✓200 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature11°C7°C✓
Summer high23°C✓26°C
Winter low1°C✓-14°C
Sunshine hours per year1,930 h2,050 h✓
Annual rainfall1190 mm1000 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓40 min
CurrencyCADCAD
Time zoneAmerica/VancouverAmerica/Toronto

Montreal runs about 27% cheaper than Vancouver for this household, a difference of 972 USD a month.

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Cost of living in VancouverCost of living in MontrealConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Vancouver vs TorontoVancouver vs SeattleVancouver vs Chicago
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Vancouver or Montreal cheaper?

Montreal runs about 27% cheaper than Vancouver for this household, a difference of 972 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Montreal compared with Vancouver?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,088 a month in Vancouver and $5,572 in Montreal, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Vancouver or Montreal?

Vancouver scores 74/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Montreal scores 80 and 82. Vancouver averages 11°C against 7°C in Montreal.