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Montreal vs Quebec City 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 Quebec City
At a glance
- Where Quebec City is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (30%โ), Street food (25%โ), Cocktail & wine (25%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Quebec City is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: safety โ Montreal 2 vs Quebec City 1. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Montreal | Quebec City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | C$ 22$16.2 | C$ 22$16.2 | similar |
| Street food1 item | C$ 12$8.82 | C$ 9$6.62 | Quebec City โ25% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | C$ 45$33.1 | C$ 42$30.9 | Quebec City โ7% |
| Coffeeone cup | C$ 5.5$4.04 | C$ 5.3$3.9 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | C$ 9$6.62 | C$ 9$6.62 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | C$ 20$14.7 | C$ 15$11 | Quebec City โ25% |
| Bottled water | C$ 2.3$1.69 | C$ 2.4$1.76 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | C$ 2.8$2.06 | C$ 2.9$2.13 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | C$ 17$12.5 | C$ 17$12.5 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | C$ 10$7.35 | C$ 10$7.35 | similar |
| Transitone ride | C$ 3.75$2.76 | C$ 3.85$2.83 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | C$ 40$29.4 | C$ 40$29.4 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | C$ 190$140 | C$ 185$136 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | C$ 1,680$1,235 | C$ 1,300$956 | Quebec City โ23% |
| Laundry | C$ 6$4.41 | C$ 7$5.15 | Montreal โ14% |
| SIM card1 week data | C$ 35$25.7 | C$ 35$25.7 | similar |
| Haircutcut | C$ 32$23.5 | C$ 30$22.1 | Quebec City โ6% |
| Massage1 hour | C$ 95$69.9 | C$ 100$73.5 | Montreal โ5% |
| Half-day tourper person | C$ 100$73.5 | C$ 70$51.5 | Quebec City โ30% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | C$ 24$17.6 | C$ 22$16.2 | Quebec City โ8% |
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 Quebec City?
Montreal and Quebec City cost about the same. Daily budget $266 vs $259; a month $4,773 vs $4,505.
Which is easier to travel, Montreal or Quebec City?
Quebec City is easier: Quebec City 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 Quebec City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Montreal is about $4,773 and Quebec City about $4,505 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.