🇺🇸 San Francisco vs 🇨🇦 Montreal

Montreal is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1230/month in Montreal vs $3413/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Montreal is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. San Francisco has a rate of 6.30 per 100,000 and Montreal has 2.27 per 100,000.

Montreal wins this one convincingly — the data doesn't lie. San Francisco 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.

San Francisco: US Employment-Based Green Card (complex process, Permanent residence). Montreal: Canada Express Entry (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Montreal is warmer in summer (26°C vs 22°C). San Francisco has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

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