Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lakewood, WA and Montreal

For one person, living is cheaper in Montreal: $2,059 a month against $3,284 in Lakewood, WA, rent and utilities included – about $14,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Lakewood, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,284
/mo nomad
Montreal
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,059
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lakewood, WA and in Montreal

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Lakewood, WA and in Montreal actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,284 in Lakewood, WA versus $2,059 in Montreal.

  • Lakewood, WA $3,284
  • Montreal $2,059

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,777 in Lakewood, WA versus $3,123 in Montreal.

  • Lakewood, WA $4,777
  • Montreal $3,123

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,270 in Lakewood, WA versus $4,187 in Montreal.

  • Lakewood, WA $6,270
  • Montreal $4,187

Living in Lakewood, WA is roughly 59% more expensive than in Montreal, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lakewood, WA 142% above, Montreal 52% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lakewood, WA
Montreal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.09 $18.09
$18.84 CA$26.63
-3.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$67.6 $67.6
$73.2 CA$104
-7.66%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.71 $12.71
$10.54 CA$14.90
20.59%
Cappuccino
$5.20 $5.20
$3.97 CA$5.61
30.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98 $2.98
$1.94 CA$2.74
53.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$1.57 CA$2.22
30.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.90 $3.90
$6.42 CA$9.08
-39.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.10 $6.10
$7.20 CA$10.19
-15.28%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lakewood, WA
Montreal
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.02 $1.02
$2.32 CA$3.28
-56.03%
White Bread (500g)
$3.68 $3.68
$3.19 CA$4.51
15.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.24 $4.24
$3.19 CA$4.50
32.92%
Eggs
$3.92 $3.92
$3.68 CA$5.20
6.52%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.72 $13.72
$13.24 CA$18.72
3.63%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.69 $8.69
$11.69 CA$16.53
-25.66%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.21 $11.21
$13.98 CA$19.76
-19.81%
Apples (1kg)
$4.38 $4.38
$3.14 CA$4.44
39.49%
Banana (1kg)
$1.94 $1.94
$1.45 CA$2.05
33.79%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.16 $4.16
$3.38 CA$4.78
23.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.52 $4.52
$3.11 CA$4.40
45.34%
Potato (1kg)
$1.97 $1.97
$1.93 CA$2.72
2.07%
Onion (1kg)
$2.15 $2.15
$1.83 CA$2.58
17.49%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.36 CA$3.34
-14.41%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$1.50 CA$2.12
66.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.36 $12.36
$11.12 CA$15.73
11.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.84 $15.84
$10.60 CA$14.98
49.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 $1.98
$2.22 CA$3.14
-10.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.15 $4.15
$2.84 CA$4.01
46.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Lakewood, WA
Montreal
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.04 $2.04
$2.62 CA$3.71
-22.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$197 $197
$79.1 CA$112
148.66%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.02 $2.02
$3.23 CA$4.56
-37.46%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.64 $0.64
$1.48 CA$2.10
-56.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$27.31 $27.31
$32.22 CA$45.55
-15.24%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.34 $1.34
$1.36 CA$1.92
-1.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.1K $28.1K
$27.6K CA$39.1K
1.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$21.2K CA$30.0K
24.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lakewood, WA
Montreal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$289 $289
$77.0 CA$109
274.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$74.0 $74.0
$34.14 CA$48.26
116.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$89.5 $89.5
$42.19 CA$59.7
112.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lakewood, WA
Montreal
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.00 $41.00
$30.81 CA$43.56
33.07%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.97 $24.97
$19.66 CA$27.79
27.01%
Cinema Ticket
$18.08 $18.08
$11.47 CA$16.22
57.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lakewood, WA
Montreal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,965 $1,965
$506 CA$716
288.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.7K $25.7K
$16.2K CA$23.0K
58.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lakewood, WA
Montreal
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.1 $50.1
$57.3 CA$81.0
-12.52%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.11 $38.11
$38.10 CA$53.9
0.03%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100 $100
$91.9 CA$130
8.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$136 $136
$110 CA$155
24.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lakewood, WA
Montreal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,961 $1,961
$1,237 CA$1,748
58.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,733 $1,733
$977 CA$1,381
77.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,365 $3,365
$2,180 CA$3,082
54.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,047 $3,047
$1,608 CA$2,273
89.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,359 $2,359
$5,113 CA$7,228
-53.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,606 $2,606
$3,744 CA$5,293
-30.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lakewood, WA
Montreal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$2,957 CA$4,180
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.81
4.48
52.01%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Lakewood, WA: October 19, 2026

Last update for Montreal: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Lakewood, WA
$1.7K
Montreal
$977 43.6% $756
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lakewood, WA
$452
Montreal
$153 66.1% $299
Groceries & Markets
Lakewood, WA
$369
Montreal
$351 4.8% $18
Eating Out
Lakewood, WA
$297
Montreal
$290 2.2% $6.6
Getting Around
Lakewood, WA
$210
Montreal
$100 52.3% $110
Clothing & Footwear
Lakewood, WA
$146
Montreal
$134 8.4% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Lakewood, WA
$77
Montreal
$54 30.3% $23

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,961 in Lakewood, WA and $1,237 in Montreal. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $68.0 in Lakewood, WA vs $73.0 in Montreal. Groceries flip the comparison at $369 vs $351, with Montreal cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Lakewood, WA
🇨🇦 Montreal
🕒 Local time
04:44 4:44 AM
07:44 7:44 AM
3 h ahead of Lakewood, WA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
140,024
1,762,949
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Lakewood, WA Montreal 3,700 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Lakewood, WA
  • Montreal

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Lakewood, WA vs Montreal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lakewood, WA and in Montreal?
Lakewood, WA and Montreal differ by about 59% in total monthly costs ($3,284 vs $2,059 including rent). Montreal is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Lakewood, WA compared to Montreal?
You'd need roughly $4,926 in Lakewood, WA and $3,089 in Montreal to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Lakewood, WA and in Montreal?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,961 in Lakewood, WA versus $1,237 in Montreal. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Montreal – a meal for two runs $73.0 versus $68.0 in Lakewood, WA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lakewood, WA or Montreal?
All in, you'll spend $3,284 per month in Lakewood, WA versus $2,059 in Montreal – a 59% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $2,059 in Montreal versus $3,284 in Lakewood, WA, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Montreal but tight or insufficient in Lakewood, WA. The gap between the two cities makes Montreal the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Lakewood, WA 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 Lakewood, WA or Montreal safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lakewood, WA 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: Lakewood, WA or Montreal?
Expats usually find Montreal gentler on the wallet – expenses run 59% less than in Lakewood, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Lakewood, WA vs other spots: cost of living compared

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