Montreal vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Montreal is ~20% 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
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Montreal | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,369 | $1,391 | $22 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,088 | $1,068 | +$20 |
| Groceries | $331 | $487 | $156 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $20 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $62 | +$13 |
| Utilities | $129 | $224 | $95 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Montreal | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,592/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $2,159/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,686/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Montreal | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,864/mo | +$364 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,485/mo | +$485 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,728/mo | +$728 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Montreal vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Montreal is approximately 20% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Montreal's COL+Rent Index of 44.5 vs Vienna's 55.3 (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 $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Montreal a $22/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 Montreal ($331/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect Montreal's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 vs $20 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.