😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,414 in Kelowna versus $2,108 in Montreal.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,520 in Kelowna versus $3,226 in Montreal.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,625 in Kelowna versus $4,344 in Montreal.
🌍Living in Kelowna is roughly 15% more expensive than in Montreal, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Kelowna75% above, Montreal53% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.08CA$23.68
$17.83CA$24.73
-4.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.1CA$82.0
$73.6CA$102
-19.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.38CA$15.78
$10.81CA$15.00
5.27%
Cappuccino
$4.20CA$5.82
$3.92CA$5.44
7.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03CA$2.81
$2.04CA$2.84
-0.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71CA$2.37
$1.52CA$2.11
12.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.82CA$6.68
$6.59CA$9.14
-26.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.67CA$7.87
$7.14CA$9.90
-20.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.09CA$2.89
$2.37CA$3.28
-11.81%
White Bread(500g)
$2.90CA$4.02
$3.23CA$4.48
-10.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.48CA$4.83
$2.95CA$4.10
17.97%
Eggs
$3.31CA$4.59
$3.69CA$5.12
-10.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.35CA$12.97
$13.65CA$18.93
-31.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.43CA$18.62
$11.94CA$16.56
12.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$21.72CA$30.13
$14.07CA$19.52
54.37%
Apples(1kg)
$3.51CA$4.87
$3.61CA$5.01
-2.77%
Banana(1kg)
$1.52CA$2.11
$1.55CA$2.15
-1.94%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.56CA$4.93
$3.29CA$4.56
8.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.89CA$6.78
$3.07CA$4.26
59.28%
Potato(1kg)
$3.12CA$4.33
$2.00CA$2.78
56.00%
Onion(1kg)
$3.21CA$4.45
$1.90CA$2.64
68.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.63CA$3.64
$2.64CA$3.66
-0.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.95CA$2.70
$1.39CA$1.93
40.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.35CA$19.90
$11.80CA$16.36
21.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.80CA$19.14
$10.80CA$14.98
27.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.67CA$3.70
$2.37CA$3.29
12.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10CA$4.30
$2.90CA$4.02
6.90%
🚌 Getting Around
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.77CA$2.45
$2.74CA$3.79
-35.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$50.5CA$70.0
$77.1CA$107
-34.51%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.87CA$3.98
$3.31CA$4.59
-13.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.84CA$2.55
$1.46CA$2.02
26.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.55CA$47.92
$32.98CA$45.74
4.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21CA$1.68
$1.31CA$1.82
-7.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4KCA$39.4K
$28.7KCA$39.8K
-1.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.6KCA$25.8K
$20.4KCA$28.4K
-9.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$129CA$179
$79.9CA$111
61.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$46.25CA$64.1
$34.79CA$48.25
32.94%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.5CA$79.7
$42.55CA$59.0
35.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.6CA$79.9
$29.20CA$40.50
97.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.93CA$42.89
$20.33CA$28.20
52.14%
Cinema Ticket
$12.19CA$16.90
$11.48CA$15.93
6.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,050CA$1,456
$565CA$784
85.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.6KCA$23.0K
$16.6KCA$23.0K
0.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.4CA$69.8
$60.2CA$83.5
-16.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.38CA$57.4
$41.87CA$58.1
-1.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.7CA$120
$104CA$144
-16.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103CA$143
$113CA$156
-8.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,349CA$1,871
$1,294CA$1,795
4.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,214CA$1,683
$1,014CA$1,407
19.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,339CA$3,244
$2,271CA$3,149
3.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,005CA$2,781
$1,683CA$2,334
19.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,995CA$5,540
$5,156CA$7,151
-22.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,224CA$4,471
$3,842CA$5,328
-16.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,062CA$4,246
$3,032CA$4,205
0.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.69
4.44
5.63%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kelowna: September 7, 2026
Last update for Montreal: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,349 in Kelowna and $1,294 in Montreal. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Kelowna pays 1% 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: $59.0 in Kelowna vs $74.0 in Montreal. Groceries flip the comparison at $400 vs $358, with Montreal cheaper for home cooking.
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
Kelowna vs Montreal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kelowna and in Montreal?
Kelowna and Montreal differ by about 15% in total monthly costs ($2,414 vs $2,108 including rent). Montreal is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Kelowna or Montreal?
Average pay runs 1% higher in Kelowna, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Kelowna and in Montreal?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,349 in Kelowna versus $1,294 in Montreal. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Kelowna or Montreal?
All in, you'll spend $2,414 per month in Kelowna versus $2,108 in Montreal – a 15% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Kelowna and in Montreal?
A monthly transit pass in Montreal runs roughly 53% less than in Kelowna. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $2,108 in Montreal versus $2,414 in Kelowna, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Montreal but tight or insufficient in Kelowna. The gap between the two cities makes Montreal the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kelowna and Montreal?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Kelowna or Montreal safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kelowna 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.
Where should expats move: Kelowna or Montreal?
Expats usually find Montreal gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Kelowna. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.