Chicago vs Montreal
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Montreal is ~22% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Chicago
United States
COL+Rent
57.1
Rent Index
44
Groceries
72.9
Restaurant
73.7
Montreal
Canada
COL+Rent
44.5
Rent Index
31
Groceries
59.1
Restaurant
54
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Chicago | Montreal | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,998 | $1,369 | +$629 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,566 | $1,088 | +$478 |
| Groceries | $418 | $331 | +$87 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $17 | +$5 |
| Transit Pass | $73 | $75 | $2 |
| Utilities | $169 | $129 | +$40 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Chicago | Montreal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,189/mo | $1,592/mo |
| Typical | $2,988/mo | $2,159/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,701/mo | $2,686/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Chicago | ≈ in Montreal | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,169/mo | -$331 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,559/mo | -$441 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,338/mo | -$662 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Chicago vs Montreal for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Montreal is approximately 22% more affordable than Chicago when combining rent and daily living costs. Chicago's COL+Rent Index of 57.1 vs Montreal's 44.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Chicago costs $1,998/month versus $1,369/month in Montreal — giving Montreal a $629/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,548 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Chicago ($418/mo) vs Montreal ($331/mo) reflect Montreal's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 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.