Cost of Living: Montreal vs Perth (2026)

Canada vs Australia — relocation comparison

TL;DRMontreal is 28% cheaper on rent ($1309/mo vs $1821/mo). Perth is safer — homicide rate 0.8 vs 2.3 per 100k. Both countries will let you complain about the government in public — and mean it.
77
Livability Score
🇨🇦 Montreal
Canada
Full profile
66
Livability Score
🇦🇺 Perth
Australia
Full profile
Montreal scores 77 to Perth's 66 on livability — the gap is real. Perth has its charms, but the numbers favor Montreal.
💰
Cost of Living
Montreal
$512/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Perth
0.8 homicides per 100k
☀️
Weather
25°C vs 29°C summers
🗣️
English
Perth
higher proficiency score
Montreal
Metric
Perth
$1309/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1821/mo
$616/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$428/mo
$4,288
🧳
Cost to land
$11,432
2.3 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.8 / 100k
33 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
25°C
☀️
Summer high
29°C
-10°C
❄️
Winter low
9°C
112 Mbps
Internet speed
8.7 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.7 / 10
Very High (91/100)
🗣️
English ease
Very High (95/100)
$65k
💼
GDP per capita
$72k
2.4%
📈
Inflation
3.2%
77 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
66 / 100
92/100 — Reliable
Grid reliability
97/100
🗽
Freedom House
3 years
📋
Time to PR

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

506
PISA
country avg
497
1
Intl schools
1
Yes (French)
Public school
Fully covered once Medicare kicks in
Pediatric care
6–12 weeks
Specialist wait
$518/mo
Childcare
full-day
$2347/mo

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

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

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

The Short Version

  • Rent is 28% cheaper in Montreal ($1309/mo vs $1821/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Perth (29°C vs 25°C).
  • Perth is safer by homicide rate (0.8 vs 2.3 per 100k).
  • English is easier to get by in Perth (95/100 vs 91/100 English proficiency).

Montreal vs Perth — Common Questions

Is Montreal cheaper than Perth?

Montreal is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1309/month in Montreal vs $1821/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Montreal or Perth?

Perth is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Montreal has a rate of 2.27 per 100,000 and Perth has 0.83 per 100,000.

Should I move to Montreal or Perth?

Montreal scores 77 to Perth's 66 on livability — the gap is real. Perth 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 Montreal or Perth?

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

Which has better weather, Montreal or Perth?

Perth is warmer in summer (29°C vs 25°C). Montreal has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

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

English is easier to get by in Perth (EF EPI score: 95/100) than in Montreal (91/100). In Perth, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Montreal, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

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