Montreal vs Toronto
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Montreal is ~27% 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
Toronto
Canada
COL+Rent
60.6
Rent Index
49.3
Groceries
73.2
Restaurant
72.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Montreal | Toronto | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,369 | $2,174 | $805 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,088 | $1,728 | $640 |
| Groceries | $331 | $410 | $79 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $22 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $92 | $17 |
| Utilities | $129 | $160 | $31 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Montreal | Toronto |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,592/mo | $2,355/mo |
| Typical | $2,159/mo | $3,166/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,686/mo | $3,904/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Montreal | ≈ in Toronto | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,043/mo | +$543 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,724/mo | +$724 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,085/mo | +$1,085 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Montreal vs Toronto for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Montreal is approximately 27% more affordable than Toronto when combining rent and daily living costs. Montreal's COL+Rent Index of 44.5 vs Toronto's 60.6 (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 Montreal costs $1,369/month versus $2,174/month in Toronto — giving Montreal a $805/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $9,660 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Montreal ($331/mo) vs Toronto ($410/mo) reflect Montreal's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $22 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.