Townleap

Cost of Living: Graz vs Montreal (2026)

Austria vs Canada — relocation comparison

TL;DRGraz is 41% cheaper on rent ($772/mo vs $1309/mo). Graz is safer — homicide rate 0.9 vs 2.3 per 100k. Both cities require a personal relationship with your winter coat.
77
Livability Score
🇦🇹 Graz
Austria
Full profile
77
Livability Score
🇨🇦 Montreal
Canada
Full profile
Graz and Montreal are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin.
Graz
Montreal
$772/mo
Rent
$1309/mo
8.3/10
Democracy
8.7/10
0.9/100k
Safety
2.3/100k
74/100
English
100/100
Time to PR
3 yr
💰
Cost of Living
Graz
$537/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Graz
0.9 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Montreal
8.7/10 EIU index
🗣️
English
Montreal
higher proficiency score
Graz
Metric
Montreal
$772/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1309/mo
$909/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$616/mo
🧳
Cost to land
$4,288
0.9 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
2.3 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
33 / 100
25°C
☀️
Summer high
25°C
-3°C
❄️
Winter low
-10°C
Internet speed
112 Mbps
15.1 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
11 μg/m³
8.3 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.7 / 10
74/100
🗣️
Street English
100/100
$74k
💼
GDP per capita
$65k
2.9% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
2.4% · Boringly steady
77 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
77 / 100
Grid reliability
92/100 — Reliable
🗽
Freedom House
97/100
📋
Time to PR
3 years

Settler Essentials

Democracy trend
declining
Industries
aigamingaerospacepharma
Startup ecosystem
hub
Grid reliability
92/100
Time to PR
3 yrs
EU visa
Moderate
RU visa
Complex
UA visa
Moderate
Spouse works
Partner can work immediately

Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 41% cheaper in Graz ($772/mo vs $1309/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Graz (25°C vs 25°C).
  • Graz is safer by homicide rate (0.9 vs 2.3 per 100k).
  • Street-level English is easier in Montreal (100/100 vs 74/100).

Graz vs Montreal — Common Questions

Is Graz cheaper than Montreal?

Graz is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $772/month in Graz vs $1309/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Graz or Montreal?

Graz is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Graz has a rate of 0.88 per 100,000 and Montreal has 2.27 per 100,000.

Should I move to Graz or Montreal?

Graz and Montreal are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin. 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 Graz or Montreal?

Graz: no specific remote work visa. Montreal: Canada Express Entry (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Can I live in Graz or Montreal without speaking the local language?

Montreal is easier for street-level English (100/100) than Graz (74/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.

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