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Montreal vs Vancouver 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 Vancouver
At a glance
- Where Vancouver is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (60%โ), Street food (25%โ), Cocktail & wine (15%โ)
- Where Montreal is clearly cheaper: Entry ticket (31%โ), Studio rent (month) (29%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Vancouver is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: language โ Montreal 2 vs Vancouver 1. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Montreal | Vancouver | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | C$ 22$16.2 | C$ 20$14.7 | Vancouver โ9% |
| Street food1 item | C$ 12$8.82 | C$ 9$6.62 | Vancouver โ25% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | C$ 45$33.1 | C$ 52$38.2 | Montreal โ13% |
| Coffeeone cup | C$ 5.5$4.04 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | C$ 9$6.62 | C$ 8$5.88 | Vancouver โ11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | C$ 20$14.7 | C$ 17$12.5 | Vancouver โ15% |
| Bottled water | C$ 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$12.5 | C$ 17$12.5 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | C$ 10$7.35 | C$ 11$8.09 | Montreal โ9% |
| Transitone ride | C$ 3.75$2.76 | C$ 3.5$2.57 | Vancouver โ7% |
| Scooter rentalper day | C$ 40$29.4 | C$ 16$11.8 | Vancouver โ60% |
| Hotel night3-star | C$ 190$140 | C$ 220$162 | Montreal โ14% |
| Studio rent (month) | C$ 1,680$1,235 | C$ 2,350$1,728 | Montreal โ29% |
| Laundry | C$ 6$4.41 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | Vancouver โ8% |
| SIM card1 week data | C$ 35$25.7 | C$ 34$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | C$ 32$23.5 | C$ 35$25.7 | Montreal โ9% |
| Massage1 hour | C$ 95$69.9 | C$ 100$73.5 | Montreal โ5% |
| Half-day tourper person | C$ 100$73.5 | C$ 100$73.5 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | C$ 24$17.6 | C$ 35$25.7 | Montreal โ31% |
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 Vancouver?
Montreal is 14% cheaper than Vancouver. Daily budget $266 vs $291; a month $4,773 vs $5,844.
Which is easier to travel, Montreal or Vancouver?
Vancouver is easier: Vancouver 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 Vancouver?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Montreal is about $4,773 and Vancouver about $5,844 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.