Cost of Living: Mexico City vs Montreal (2026)

Mexico City is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1173/month in Mexico City vs $1309/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Montreal is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Mexico City has a rate of 26.11 per 100,000 and Montreal has 2.27 per 100,000.

Montreal scores 78 to Mexico City's 44 on livability — the gap is real. Mexico City 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.

Mexico City: 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 Mexico City (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: $1173/month in Mexico City, $1309/month in Montreal (Numbeo). That's 10% cheaper rent in Mexico City.

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

Montreal scores higher on our composite healthcare index (85/100 vs 63/100 for Mexico City). 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.