Cost of Living: Montreal vs Vienna (2026)
Canada vs Austria — relocation comparison
Open incentive regimes for newcomers
- VAT-free under €20k
- 12% social
- €800/yr accountant
- VAT-free under €42k
- 27% social
- €1400/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.
Legal within first trimester. Counseling required.
Source: Center for Reproductive Rights
LGBTQ+ Rights
Can you hold hands without doing a risk assessment first
Rainbow Index source: ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map (European cities) / Equaldex Equality Index (elsewhere) — two distinct scales
The Short Version
- •Rent is basically identical in Vienna and Montreal ($1303/mo vs $1309/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Montreal (25°C vs 24°C).
- •Vienna is safer by homicide rate (1.0 vs 2.3 per 100k).
Montreal vs Vienna — Common Questions
Is Montreal cheaper than Vienna?▾
Vienna is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1303/month there vs $1309/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Montreal or Vienna?▾
Vienna is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Montreal has a rate of 2.27 per 100,000 and Vienna has 1.01 per 100,000.
Should I move to Montreal or Vienna?▾
Montreal and Vienna 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 Montreal or Vienna?▾
Montreal: Canada Express Entry (complex process, Permanent residence). Vienna: EU Blue Card (Austria) (complex process, Up to 4 years). See each city's profile page for full requirements.
What's the cost of rent in Montreal vs Vienna?▾
A 1-bedroom in the centre: $1303/month in Vienna, $1309/month in Montreal (Numbeo). Rent is basically identical between the two.
Plot twist: other matchups exist
Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.
Compare Montreal
Toronto vs Montreal
Compare Montreal
Vancouver vs Montreal
Compare Vienna
Vienna vs Salzburg
Let the algorithm judge you
2 min quiz — surprisingly accurate
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