Vienna vs Montreal
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Montreal is ~20% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Montreal
Canada
COL+Rent
44.5
Rent Index
31
Groceries
59.1
Restaurant
54
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Montreal | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $1,369 | +$22 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $1,088 | $20 |
| Groceries | $487 | $331 | +$156 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $17 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $75 | $13 |
| Utilities | $224 | $129 | +$95 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Montreal |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $1,592/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $2,159/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $2,686/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Montreal | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,207/mo | -$293 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,609/mo | -$391 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,414/mo | -$586 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Montreal for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Montreal is approximately 20% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 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 Vienna costs $1,391/month versus $1,369/month in Montreal — 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 Vienna ($487/mo) vs Montreal ($331/mo) reflect Montreal's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 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.