Cost of Living: Montreal vs Toronto (2026)
Canada vs Canada — relocation comparison
- VAT-free under €20k
- 12% social
- €800/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
No legal gestational limit. Fully decriminalized since 1988.
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 21% cheaper in Montreal ($1309/mo vs $1659/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Montreal (25°C vs 24°C).
Montreal vs Toronto — Common Questions
Is Montreal cheaper than Toronto?▾
Montreal is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1309/month in Montreal vs $1659/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Montreal or Toronto?▾
Toronto is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Montreal has a rate of 2.27 per 100,000 and Toronto has 2.27 per 100,000.
Should I move to Montreal or Toronto?▾
Too close to call — 78 vs 74. Montreal has a slight edge, but Toronto might suit you better depending on your priorities. 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 Toronto?▾
Montreal: Canada Express Entry (complex process, Permanent residence). Toronto: Canada Express Entry (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.
What's the cost of rent in Montreal vs Toronto?▾
A 1-bedroom in the centre: $1309/month in Montreal, $1659/month in Toronto (Numbeo). That's 21% cheaper rent in Montreal.
Plot twist: other matchups exist
Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.
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