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Montreal vs Ottawa cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐จ๐ฆ Montreal
๐จ๐ฆ Ottawa
At a glance
- Where Ottawa is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (40%โ), Laundry (17%โ), Cocktail & wine (15%โ)
- Where Montreal is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (20%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Ottawa is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: language โ Montreal 2 vs Ottawa 1. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Montreal | Ottawa | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | C$ 22$16.2 | C$ 20$14.7 | Ottawa โ9% |
| Street food1 item | C$ 12$8.82 | C$ 13$9.56 | Montreal โ8% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | C$ 45$33.1 | C$ 45$33.1 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | C$ 5.5$4.04 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | C$ 9$6.62 | C$ 8.5$6.25 | Ottawa โ6% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | C$ 20$14.7 | C$ 17$12.5 | Ottawa โ15% |
| Bottled water | C$ 2.3$1.69 | C$ 2.5$1.84 | Montreal โ8% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | C$ 2.8$2.06 | C$ 3$2.21 | Montreal โ7% |
| Taxi5 km in town | C$ 17$12.5 | C$ 16$11.8 | Ottawa โ6% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | C$ 10$7.35 | C$ 10$7.35 | similar |
| Transitone ride | C$ 3.75$2.76 | C$ 4.1$3.01 | Montreal โ9% |
| Scooter rentalper day | C$ 40$29.4 | C$ 50$36.8 | Montreal โ20% |
| Hotel night3-star | C$ 190$140 | C$ 210$154 | Montreal โ10% |
| Studio rent (month) | C$ 1,680$1,235 | C$ 1,960$1,441 | Montreal โ14% |
| Laundry | C$ 6$4.41 | C$ 5$3.68 | Ottawa โ17% |
| SIM card1 week data | C$ 35$25.7 | C$ 35$25.7 | similar |
| Haircutcut | C$ 32$23.5 | C$ 30$22.1 | Ottawa โ6% |
| Massage1 hour | C$ 95$69.9 | C$ 105$77.2 | Montreal โ10% |
| Half-day tourper person | C$ 100$73.5 | C$ 60$44.1 | Ottawa โ40% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | C$ 24$17.6 | C$ 23$16.9 | similar |
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, Montreal or Ottawa?
Montreal is 5% cheaper than Ottawa. Daily budget $266 vs $275; a month $4,773 vs $5,131.
Which is easier to travel, Montreal or Ottawa?
Ottawa is easier: Ottawa 1.4/5 vs Montreal 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Montreal and Ottawa?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Montreal is about $4,773 and Ottawa about $5,131 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.