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Chicago 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 Chicago
๐จ๐ฆ Montreal
At a glance
- Where Montreal is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (48%โ), Entry ticket (47%โ), Studio rent (month) (37%โ)
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (18%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Chicago is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: language โ Chicago 1 vs Montreal 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Montreal | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 17$17 | C$ 22$16.2 | similar |
| Street food1 item | $ 8$8 | C$ 12$8.82 | Chicago โ9% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | C$ 45$33.1 | Montreal โ21% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | Montreal โ26% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7.5$7.5 | C$ 9$6.62 | Montreal โ12% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 15$15 | C$ 20$14.7 | similar |
| Bottled water | $ 1.8$1.8 | C$ 2.3$1.69 | Montreal โ6% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.7$2.7 | C$ 2.8$2.06 | Montreal โ24% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 17$17 | C$ 17$12.5 | Montreal โ26% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 10$10 | C$ 10$7.35 | Montreal โ26% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.75$2.75 | C$ 3.75$2.76 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | C$ 40$29.4 | Montreal โ48% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | C$ 190$140 | Montreal โ22% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,950$1,950 | C$ 1,680$1,235 | Montreal โ37% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | C$ 6$4.41 | Chicago โ9% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 30$30 | C$ 35$25.7 | Montreal โ14% |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | C$ 32$23.5 | Montreal โ33% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 85$85 | C$ 95$69.9 | Montreal โ18% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 60$60 | C$ 100$73.5 | Chicago โ18% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 33$33 | C$ 24$17.6 | Montreal โ47% |
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, Chicago or Montreal?
Montreal is 25% cheaper than Chicago. Daily budget $334 vs $266; a month $6,737 vs $4,773.
Which is easier to travel, Chicago or Montreal?
Chicago is easier: Chicago 1.4/5 vs Montreal 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Montreal?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,737 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.