😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,945 in Coquitlam versus $2,085 in Montreal.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,066 in Coquitlam versus $3,174 in Montreal.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,187 in Coquitlam versus $4,262 in Montreal.
🌍Living in Coquitlam is roughly 41% more expensive than in Montreal, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Coquitlam120% above, Montreal56% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Coquitlam
Montreal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.63CA$20.59
$16.52CA$23.24
-11.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.3CA$73.6
$74.0CA$104
-29.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.14CA$14.26
$10.94CA$15.40
-7.31%
Cappuccino
$3.70CA$5.20
$3.84CA$5.41
-3.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98CA$2.79
$2.14CA$3.01
-7.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09CA$2.94
$1.45CA$2.04
44.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.26CA$7.41
$6.13CA$8.63
-14.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.86CA$8.24
$6.73CA$9.47
-12.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Coquitlam
Montreal
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.52CA$2.14
$2.35CA$3.31
-35.32%
White Bread(500g)
$3.11CA$4.38
$3.34CA$4.69
-6.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.18CA$3.07
$3.74CA$5.27
-41.71%
Eggs
$4.03CA$5.67
$3.39CA$4.77
18.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.21CA$14.37
$16.30CA$22.93
-37.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.17CA$22.76
$11.81CA$16.62
36.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.74CA$20.74
$15.64CA$22.01
-5.75%
Apples(1kg)
$4.54CA$6.39
$3.69CA$5.20
23.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.39CA$1.96
$1.70CA$2.39
-18.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.98CA$7.01
$4.11CA$5.79
21.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.52CA$6.37
$4.41CA$6.20
2.49%
Potato(1kg)
$1.59CA$2.24
$2.79CA$3.93
-43.01%
Onion(1kg)
$1.76CA$2.48
$2.64CA$3.72
-33.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$3.00CA$4.23
$2.29CA$3.22
31.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12CA$1.57
$1.78CA$2.51
-37.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.39CA$20.25
$13.17CA$18.53
9.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.85CA$16.68
$10.64CA$14.97
11.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.74CA$5.26
$2.99CA$4.20
25.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32CA$3.26
$3.44CA$4.83
-32.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Coquitlam
Montreal
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.36CA$3.32
$2.81CA$3.95
-16.01%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$76.1CA$107
$72.8CA$102
4.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.66CA$3.74
$3.52CA$4.95
-24.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.58CA$2.23
$1.45CA$2.05
8.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$25.14CA$35.38
$34.29CA$48.26
-26.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.32CA$1.85
$1.22CA$1.72
8.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6KCA$34.6K
$25.3KCA$35.5K
-2.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3KCA$28.6K
$22.1KCA$31.1K
-8.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Coquitlam
Montreal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$137CA$193
$76.5CA$108
79.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.52CA$52.8
$35.60CA$50.1
5.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.8CA$82.7
$42.96CA$60.5
36.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Coquitlam
Montreal
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.63CA$38.88
$43.39CA$61.1
-36.32%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.22CA$15.79
$16.83CA$23.68
-33.33%
Cinema Ticket
$11.01CA$15.50
$11.09CA$15.60
-0.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Coquitlam
Montreal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,216CA$1,711
$625CA$879
94.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.1KCA$17.0K
$5,896CA$8,296
104.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Coquitlam
Montreal
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.2CA$100
$63.1CA$88.8
12.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.29CA$63.7
$44.50CA$62.6
1.78%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.3CA$137
$103CA$145
-5.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115CA$162
$118CA$166
-2.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Coquitlam
Montreal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,061CA$2,901
$1,207CA$1,699
70.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,806CA$2,541
$965CA$1,358
87.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,625CA$5,101
$2,031CA$2,858
78.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,670CA$3,757
$1,577CA$2,219
69.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,118CA$8,609
$5,085CA$7,155
20.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,906CA$6,904
$3,783CA$5,324
29.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Coquitlam
Montreal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,074CA$4,326
$2,890CA$4,066
6.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.61
5.01
31.94%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Coquitlam: July 12, 2026
Last update for Montreal: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,061 in Coquitlam and $1,207 in Montreal. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Coquitlam pays 6% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $52.0 in Coquitlam vs $74.0 in Montreal for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $381 vs $395 per month, with Coquitlam 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
Coquitlam vs Montreal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montreal cheaper than Coquitlam?
Montreal is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 41% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Coquitlam or Montreal?
Average pay runs 6% higher in Coquitlam, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Coquitlam and Montreal?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,061 in Coquitlam versus $1,207 in Montreal. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Coquitlam and in Montreal?
All in, you'll spend $2,945 per month in Coquitlam versus $2,085 in Montreal – a 41% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Montreal runs roughly 5% less than in Coquitlam. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Coquitlam or in Montreal?
At $2,085 in Montreal versus $2,945 in Coquitlam, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Montreal but tight or insufficient in Coquitlam. The gap between the two cities makes Montreal the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Coquitlam or Montreal more family-friendly?
For families, Montreal is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Coquitlam, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Coquitlam or Montreal?
Safety-wise, Coquitlam 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 41% less than in Coquitlam. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.