Cost of Living: Chicago vs Montreal (2026)
United States vs Canada — relocation comparison
- No VAT exemption
- 15.3% social
- €1000/yr accountant
- VAT-free under €20k
- 12% social
- €800/yr accountant
Sourced from Numbeo · Updated April 2026
Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · World Bank · Freedom House · Updated April 2026
Sun
How much sky you actually get
Sun clocks out before 5pm in both cities come December. Plan accordingly.
Source: WeatherSpark (clear-sky share of daytime hours)
Settler Essentials
Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo
Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals
Reproductive Rights
Because your body shouldn't need a visa too
Post-Dobbs (2022): varies dramatically by state. Fully banned in ~14 states, protected in ~20 states.
No legal gestational limit. Fully decriminalized since 1988.
Source: Center for Reproductive Rights
LGBTQ+ Rights
Can you hold hands without doing a risk assessment first
Source: Rainbow Europe (ILGA-Europe)
The Short Version
- •Rent is 45% cheaper in Montreal ($1309/mo vs $2388/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Chicago (27°C vs 25°C).
- •Montreal is safer by homicide rate (2.3 vs 17.5 per 100k).
- •Montreal scores higher on democracy (8.7 vs 7.8 / 10 EIU).
Chicago vs Montreal — Common Questions
Is Chicago cheaper than Montreal?▾
Montreal is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1309/month in Montreal vs $2388/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Chicago or Montreal?▾
Montreal is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Chicago has a rate of 17.50 per 100,000 and Montreal has 2.27 per 100,000.
Should I move to Chicago or Montreal?▾
Montreal scores 78 to Chicago's 53 on livability — the gap is real. Chicago 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.
Is it easier to get residency in Chicago or Montreal?▾
Chicago: US Employment-Based Green Card (complex process, Permanent residence). Montreal: Canada Express Entry (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.
What's the cost of rent in Chicago vs Montreal?▾
A 1-bedroom in the centre: $1309/month in Montreal, $2388/month in Chicago (Numbeo). That's 45% cheaper rent in Montreal.
Is Chicago or Montreal better for democracy and rule of law?▾
Montreal scores 8.7/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 7.8/10 for Chicago. That puts it in 'full democracy' territory — free press, independent courts, the works.
Is healthcare better in Chicago or Montreal?▾
Montreal scores higher on our composite healthcare index (85/100 vs 80/100 for Chicago). 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.
Plot twist: other matchups exist
Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.
Compare Chicago
Chicago vs Toronto
Compare Chicago
Chicago vs Vancouver
Compare Montreal
Montreal vs Toronto
Let the algorithm judge you
2 min quiz — surprisingly accurate
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