Montreal vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Montreal is ~36% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Montreal
Canada
COL+Rent
44.5
Rent Index
31
Groceries
59.1
Restaurant
54
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Montreal | Sydney | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,369 | $2,442 | $1,073 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,088 | $1,822 | $734 |
| Groceries | $331 | $483 | $152 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $25 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $114 | $39 |
| Utilities | $129 | $171 | $42 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Montreal | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,592/mo | $2,545/mo |
| Typical | $2,159/mo | $3,585/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,686/mo | $4,423/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Montreal | ≈ in Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,349/mo | +$849 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,133/mo | +$1,133 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,699/mo | +$1,699 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Montreal vs Sydney for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Montreal is approximately 36% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Montreal's COL+Rent Index of 44.5 vs Sydney's 69.7 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Montreal costs $1,369/month versus $2,442/month in Sydney — giving Montreal a $1,073/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $12,876 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Montreal ($331/mo) vs Sydney ($483/mo) reflect Montreal's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $25 show Montreal is the better value for dining out. 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.