City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Montreal vs Edinburgh — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Montreal
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 44.5 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Montreal.
Edinburgh
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Edinburgh.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Montreal | Edinburgh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,855 | $2,441 | +$414 |
| Groceries | $769 | $830 | $61 |
| Dining Out | $474 | $636 | $162 |
| Transportation | $174 | $221 | $47 |
| Utilities | $300 | $506 | $206 |
| Other / Misc | $428 | $366 | +$62 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Montreal
$5,000
per month
Edinburgh equivalent
$4,528
per month
Only $4,528/mo in Edinburgh matches $5,000/mo in Montreal — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Montreal on $5,000/month?
Living in Montreal on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,855 to rent, $769 to groceries, $474 to dining.
Can I live in Edinburgh on $5,000/month?
In Edinburgh, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,441 rent, $830 groceries, $636 dining.
Is Montreal or Edinburgh cheaper?
Edinburgh is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Montreal 44.5 vs Edinburgh 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Montreal worth in Edinburgh?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Montreal equals ~$4,528/mo in Edinburgh using COL adjustment.