😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,433 in Armstrong versus $2,065 in Montreal.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,470 in Armstrong versus $3,180 in Montreal.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,506 in Armstrong versus $4,296 in Montreal.
😐Living in Armstrong is roughly 18% more expensive than Montreal, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Armstrong81% above, Montreal53% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Armstrong
Montreal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.21CA$30.42
$16.08CA$22.03
38.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.0CA$97.3
$73.8CA$101
-3.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.95CA$15.00
$10.91CA$14.95
0.37%
Cappuccino
$3.70CA$5.07
$3.67CA$5.03
0.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62CA$3.59
$2.06CA$2.83
27.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91CA$2.62
$1.44CA$1.97
32.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.98CA$8.19
$6.21CA$8.50
-3.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.64CA$9.10
$6.44CA$8.82
3.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Armstrong
Montreal
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.78CA$3.81
$2.34CA$3.21
18.80%
White Bread(500g)
$2.54CA$3.48
$3.23CA$4.42
-21.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.40CA$4.66
$3.84CA$5.26
-11.46%
Eggs
$3.82CA$5.23
$3.32CA$4.54
15.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.94CA$13.62
$16.35CA$22.40
-39.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.60CA$14.52
$11.92CA$16.33
-11.07%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.82CA$21.68
$15.10CA$20.69
4.77%
Apples(1kg)
$3.84CA$5.27
$3.68CA$5.04
4.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72CA$2.36
$1.69CA$2.32
1.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.01CA$5.50
$4.12CA$5.64
-2.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.08CA$5.58
$4.29CA$5.88
-4.90%
Potato(1kg)
$2.65CA$3.64
$2.79CA$3.82
-5.02%
Onion(1kg)
$2.22CA$3.05
$2.70CA$3.70
-17.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.83CA$3.87
$2.17CA$2.97
30.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.75CA$2.40
$1.78CA$2.44
-1.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.37CA$18.32
$13.22CA$18.12
1.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.25CA$18.15
$11.04CA$15.12
20.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.47CA$4.76
$2.97CA$4.07
16.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.85CA$5.28
$3.44CA$4.71
11.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Armstrong
Montreal
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.33CA$3.20
$2.80CA$3.84
-16.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$63.3CA$86.7
$72.2CA$98.9
-12.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.49CA$3.41
$3.67CA$5.03
-32.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.66CA$2.28
$1.40CA$1.92
18.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.76CA$17.48
$34.07CA$46.68
-62.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27CA$1.74
$1.21CA$1.66
4.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9KCA$34.2K
$25.3KCA$34.7K
-1.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0KCA$27.4K
$21.9KCA$30.0K
-8.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Armstrong
Montreal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$163CA$224
$74.4CA$102
119.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.14CA$61.8
$36.64CA$50.2
23.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.6CA$87.1
$43.41CA$59.5
46.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Armstrong
Montreal
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.94CA$57.5
$43.20CA$59.2
-2.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.18CA$23.54
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.66CA$14.60
$10.99CA$15.06
-3.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Armstrong
Montreal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$444CA$609
$614CA$842
-27.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,116CA$5,639
$5,855CA$8,022
-29.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Armstrong
Montreal
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.8CA$83.3
$62.6CA$85.8
-2.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.10CA$53.6
$44.25CA$60.6
-11.64%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.8CA$112
$103CA$142
-20.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.4CA$107
$122CA$167
-35.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Armstrong
Montreal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,313CA$1,798
$1,190CA$1,631
10.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,169CA$1,601
$946CA$1,296
23.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,028CA$2,778
$2,037CA$2,791
-0.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,823CA$2,497
$1,548CA$2,120
17.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,275CA$5,856
$5,398CA$7,395
-20.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,225CA$4,419
$4,014CA$5,499
-19.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Armstrong
Montreal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,096CA$1,501
$3,013CA$4,128
-63.64%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.36
5.01
26.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Armstrong: April 13, 2026
Last update for Montreal: April 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,313 in Armstrong and $1,190 in Montreal. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Montreal pays 175% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $71 in Armstrong vs $74 in Montreal for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $375 vs $392 per month, with Armstrong cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Armstrong vs Montreal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montreal cheaper than Armstrong?
Montreal is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 18% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Armstrong or Montreal?
On paper, Montreal earns 175% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Armstrong and Montreal?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,313 in Armstrong versus $1,190 in Montreal. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Montreal runs roughly 14% less than in Armstrong. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $444 in Armstrong versus $614 in Montreal. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Armstrong or Montreal?
At $2,065 in Montreal versus $2,433 in Armstrong, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Montreal but tight or insufficient in Armstrong. The gap between the two cities makes Montreal the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Armstrong or Montreal more family-friendly?
For families, Montreal is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Armstrong, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Armstrong or Montreal?
Safety-wise, Armstrong and Montreal are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Montreal gentler on the wallet – expenses run 18% less than in Armstrong. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.