Calgary vs Montreal
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Montreal is ~7% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Calgary
Canada
COL+Rent
47.7
Rent Index
33.6
Groceries
62.9
Restaurant
57.8
Montreal
Canada
COL+Rent
44.5
Rent Index
31
Groceries
59.1
Restaurant
54
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Calgary | Montreal | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,481 | $1,369 | +$112 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,178 | $1,088 | +$90 |
| Groceries | $353 | $331 | +$22 |
| Restaurant Meal | $19 | $17 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $79 | $75 | +$4 |
| Utilities | $137 | $129 | +$8 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Calgary | Montreal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,717/mo | $1,592/mo |
| Typical | $2,335/mo | $2,159/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,913/mo | $2,686/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Calgary | ≈ in Montreal | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,399/mo | -$101 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,866/mo | -$134 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,799/mo | -$201 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Calgary vs Montreal for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Montreal is approximately 7% more affordable than Calgary when combining rent and daily living costs. Calgary's COL+Rent Index of 47.7 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 Calgary costs $1,481/month versus $1,369/month in Montreal — giving Montreal a $112/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Calgary ($353/mo) vs Montreal ($331/mo) reflect Montreal's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $19 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.