Popular cities
Boston vs Montreal cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Boston
๐จ๐ฆ Montreal
At a glance
- Where Montreal is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (57%โ), Hotel night (53%โ), Entry ticket (41%โ)
- Where Boston is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (39%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Boston is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: language โ Boston 1 vs Montreal 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Boston | Montreal | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 23$23 | C$ 22$16.2 | Montreal โ30% |
| Street food1 item | $ 14$14 | C$ 12$8.82 | Montreal โ37% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 50$50 | C$ 45$33.1 | Montreal โ34% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.8$5.8 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | Montreal โ30% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | C$ 9$6.62 | Montreal โ17% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | C$ 20$14.7 | Montreal โ18% |
| Bottled water | $ 2.3$2.3 | C$ 2.3$1.69 | Montreal โ26% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.8$2.8 | C$ 2.8$2.06 | Montreal โ26% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 17$17 | C$ 17$12.5 | Montreal โ26% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | C$ 10$7.35 | Montreal โ33% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.4$2.4 | C$ 3.75$2.76 | Boston โ13% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 35$35 | C$ 40$29.4 | Montreal โ16% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 300$300 | C$ 190$140 | Montreal โ53% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,900$2,900 | C$ 1,680$1,235 | Montreal โ57% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | C$ 6$4.41 | Boston โ9% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 30$30 | C$ 35$25.7 | Montreal โ14% |
| Haircutcut | $ 32$32 | C$ 32$23.5 | Montreal โ26% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 110$110 | C$ 95$69.9 | Montreal โ36% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 45$45 | C$ 100$73.5 | Boston โ39% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 30$30 | C$ 24$17.6 | Montreal โ41% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Boston or Montreal?
Montreal is 47% cheaper than Boston. Daily budget $484 vs $266; a month $9,338 vs $4,773.
Which is easier to travel, Boston or Montreal?
Boston is easier: Boston 1.4/5 vs Montreal 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Boston and Montreal?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Boston is about $9,338 and Montreal about $4,773 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.