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Montreal vs Washington, D.C. cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐จ๐ฆ Montreal
๐บ๐ธ Washington, D.C.
At a glance
- Where Washington, D.C. is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (32%โ), Transit (18%โ)
- Where Montreal is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (44%โ), Entry ticket (41%โ), Hotel night (39%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Washington, D.C. is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: language โ Montreal 2 vs Washington, D.C. 1. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Montreal | Washington, D.C. | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | C$ 22$16.2 | $ 22$22 | Montreal โ26% |
| Street food1 item | C$ 12$8.82 | $ 14$14 | Montreal โ37% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | C$ 45$33.1 | $ 50$50 | Montreal โ34% |
| Coffeeone cup | C$ 5.5$4.04 | $ 6$6 | Montreal โ33% |
| Beerone bottle | C$ 9$6.62 | $ 8.5$8.5 | Montreal โ22% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | C$ 20$14.7 | $ 17$17 | Montreal โ13% |
| Bottled water | C$ 2.3$1.69 | $ 2.3$2.3 | Montreal โ26% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | C$ 2.8$2.06 | $ 3$3 | Montreal โ31% |
| Taxi5 km in town | C$ 17$12.5 | $ 14$14 | Montreal โ11% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | C$ 10$7.35 | $ 9$9 | Montreal โ18% |
| Transitone ride | C$ 3.75$2.76 | $ 2.25$2.25 | Washington, D.C. โ18% |
| Scooter rentalper day | C$ 40$29.4 | $ 35$35 | Montreal โ16% |
| Hotel night3-star | C$ 190$140 | $ 230$230 | Montreal โ39% |
| Studio rent (month) | C$ 1,680$1,235 | $ 2,200$2,200 | Montreal โ44% |
| Laundry | C$ 6$4.41 | $ 6$6 | Montreal โ26% |
| SIM card1 week data | C$ 35$25.7 | $ 30$30 | Montreal โ14% |
| Haircutcut | C$ 32$23.5 | $ 35$35 | Montreal โ33% |
| Massage1 hour | C$ 95$69.9 | $ 110$110 | Montreal โ36% |
| Half-day tourper person | C$ 100$73.5 | $ 50$50 | Washington, D.C. โ32% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | C$ 24$17.6 | $ 30$30 | 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, Montreal or Washington, D.C.?
Montreal is 36% cheaper than Washington, D.C.. Daily budget $266 vs $402; a month $4,773 vs $7,631.
Which is easier to travel, Montreal or Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C. is easier: Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Montreal is about $4,773 and Washington, D.C. about $7,631 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.