Cost of Living: Montreal vs San Miguel de Allende (2026)

San Miguel de Allende is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1106/month in San Miguel de Allende vs $1309/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

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

Montreal scores 78 to San Miguel de Allende's 48 on livability — the gap is real. San Miguel de Allende 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.

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

Montreal is easier for street-level English (100/100) than San Miguel de Allende (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: $1106/month in San Miguel de Allende, $1309/month in Montreal (Numbeo). That's 15% cheaper rent in San Miguel de Allende.

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