😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,460 in Kelowna versus $2,063 in Montreal.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,617 in Kelowna versus $3,159 in Montreal.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,774 in Kelowna versus $4,255 in Montreal.
😐Living in Kelowna is roughly 19% more expensive than Montreal, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Kelowna84% above, Montreal54% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.26CA$25.28
$15.92CA$22.05
14.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$66.9CA$92.6
$73.1CA$101
-8.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.17CA$15.47
$11.15CA$15.43
0.18%
Cappuccino
$4.38CA$6.06
$3.80CA$5.26
15.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18CA$3.02
$2.18CA$3.01
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73CA$2.39
$1.46CA$2.02
18.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.98CA$8.28
$6.12CA$8.48
-2.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.11CA$8.46
$6.78CA$9.38
-9.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.97CA$2.72
$2.33CA$3.22
-15.45%
White Bread(500g)
$3.19CA$4.42
$3.39CA$4.69
-5.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.15CA$4.36
$3.73CA$5.16
-15.55%
Eggs
$3.86CA$5.35
$3.38CA$4.68
14.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.10CA$15.36
$16.25CA$22.50
-31.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.87CA$20.59
$11.54CA$15.98
28.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.87CA$27.51
$15.24CA$21.10
30.38%
Apples(1kg)
$3.73CA$5.17
$3.74CA$5.18
-0.27%
Banana(1kg)
$1.41CA$1.95
$1.70CA$2.36
-17.06%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.77CA$5.22
$4.11CA$5.68
-8.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.04CA$5.59
$4.35CA$6.02
-7.13%
Potato(1kg)
$2.59CA$3.58
$2.71CA$3.75
-4.43%
Onion(1kg)
$2.93CA$4.06
$2.62CA$3.62
11.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.72CA$3.77
$2.25CA$3.12
20.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.79CA$2.48
$1.73CA$2.39
3.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$15.02CA$20.79
$13.31CA$18.43
12.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.79CA$19.09
$10.78CA$14.93
27.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.46CA$3.41
$3.01CA$4.17
-18.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11CA$4.31
$3.46CA$4.80
-10.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.89CA$2.62
$2.74CA$3.79
-31.02%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$50.7CA$70.3
$72.7CA$101
-30.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.04CA$4.21
$3.63CA$5.03
-16.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.69CA$2.34
$1.46CA$2.02
15.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.11CA$48.61
$33.44CA$46.30
4.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26CA$1.74
$1.21CA$1.68
4.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9KCA$34.5K
$24.6KCA$34.1K
1.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.1KCA$27.8K
$21.7KCA$30.0K
-7.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$141CA$195
$76.0CA$105
85.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.4CA$72.6
$35.72CA$49.46
46.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.9CA$92.7
$42.86CA$59.4
56.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.18CA$61.2
$42.92CA$59.4
2.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$31.88CA$44.14
$17.23CA$23.86
85.03%
Cinema Ticket
$11.64CA$16.12
$11.09CA$15.35
4.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,055CA$1,461
$620CA$858
70.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.1KCA$23.6K
$5,834CA$8,078
192.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.3CA$73.7
$62.7CA$86.8
-15.02%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.15CA$55.6
$44.41CA$61.5
-9.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.4CA$118
$101CA$139
-15.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126CA$175
$119CA$165
5.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,367CA$1,893
$1,211CA$1,677
12.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,199CA$1,660
$960CA$1,329
24.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,196CA$3,041
$2,035CA$2,818
7.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,028CA$2,808
$1,589CA$2,201
27.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,081CA$5,650
$5,181CA$7,173
-21.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,314CA$4,588
$3,934CA$5,446
-15.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kelowna
Montreal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,038CA$4,206
$2,960CA$4,098
2.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.53
5.01
30.34%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kelowna: May 31, 2026
Last update for Montreal: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,367 in Kelowna and $1,211 in Montreal. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Kelowna pays 3% 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: $67.0 in Kelowna vs $73.0 in Montreal. Groceries flip the comparison at $401 vs $392, 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 Montreal?
Kelowna and Montreal differ by about 19% in total monthly costs ($2,460 vs $2,063 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?
Kelowna pays 3% more on average, 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 Montreal?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,367 in Kelowna versus $1,211 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 $2,460 per month in Kelowna versus $2,063 in Montreal – a 19% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Kelowna and Montreal?
A monthly transit pass in Montreal runs roughly 43% 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 $2,063 in Montreal versus $2,460 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 19% less than in Kelowna. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.