Brisbane vs Montreal
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Montreal is ~18% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Brisbane
Australia
COL+Rent
54
Rent Index
38.3
Groceries
71.7
Restaurant
61.4
Montreal
Canada
COL+Rent
44.5
Rent Index
31
Groceries
59.1
Restaurant
54
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Brisbane | Montreal | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,702 | $1,369 | +$333 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,270 | $1,088 | +$182 |
| Groceries | $399 | $331 | +$68 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $17 | +$4 |
| Transit Pass | $94 | $75 | +$19 |
| Utilities | $141 | $129 | +$12 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Brisbane | Montreal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,868/mo | $1,592/mo |
| Typical | $2,651/mo | $2,159/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,301/mo | $2,686/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Brisbane | ≈ in Montreal | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,236/mo | -$264 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,648/mo | -$352 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,472/mo | -$528 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Brisbane vs Montreal for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Montreal is approximately 18% more affordable than Brisbane when combining rent and daily living costs. Brisbane's COL+Rent Index of 54 vs Montreal's 44.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Brisbane costs $1,702/month versus $1,369/month in Montreal — giving Montreal a $333/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,996 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Brisbane ($399/mo) vs Montreal ($331/mo) reflect Montreal's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 vs $17 show Montreal offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Montreal offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,159 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.