Cost of Living: Ajijic vs Montreal (2026)

Ajijic is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $879/month in Ajijic vs $1309/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Montreal is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Ajijic has a rate of 24.86 per 100,000 and Montreal has 2.27 per 100,000.

Montreal scores 78 to Ajijic's 49 on livability — the gap is real. Ajijic has its charms, but the numbers favor Montreal. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Ajijic: Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (moderate requirements, 1–4 years). Montreal: Canada Express Entry (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Montreal is easier for street-level English (100/100) than Ajijic (20/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

A 1-bedroom in the centre: $879/month in Ajijic, $1309/month in Montreal (Numbeo). That's 33% cheaper rent in Ajijic.

Montreal scores 8.7/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 5.3/10 for Ajijic. That puts it in 'full democracy' territory — free press, independent courts, the works.

Montreal scores higher on our composite healthcare index (85/100 vs 62/100 for Ajijic). That score combines clinical outcomes (IHME), universal coverage (WHO), and resident perception (Numbeo) — not just whether hospitals exist but whether the system actually works for settlers.