😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,184 in Mont-Laurier versus $2,073 in Montreal.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,234 in Mont-Laurier versus $3,175 in Montreal.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,284 in Mont-Laurier versus $4,277 in Montreal.
🌍Living in Mont-Laurier is roughly 5% more expensive than in Montreal, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mont-Laurier64% above, Montreal56% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mont-Laurier
Montreal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.98CA$22.40
$16.22CA$22.74
-1.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$72.2CA$101
$74.3CA$104
-2.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.07CA$15.51
$11.14CA$15.62
-0.63%
Cappuccino
$3.74CA$5.25
$3.83CA$5.37
-2.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11CA$2.95
$2.13CA$2.99
-0.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47CA$2.06
$1.45CA$2.03
1.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.02CA$8.44
$6.11CA$8.57
-1.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.82CA$9.56
$6.46CA$9.05
5.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mont-Laurier
Montreal
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.32CA$3.25
$2.24CA$3.14
3.57%
White Bread(500g)
$2.73CA$3.83
$3.22CA$4.51
-15.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.60CA$3.65
$3.65CA$5.12
-28.77%
Eggs
$3.45CA$4.84
$3.36CA$4.71
2.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.26CA$8.77
$15.97CA$22.38
-60.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.75CA$16.47
$11.84CA$16.60
-0.76%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.60CA$21.86
$15.18CA$21.28
2.77%
Apples(1kg)
$3.65CA$5.11
$3.74CA$5.24
-2.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57CA$2.20
$1.70CA$2.38
-7.65%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.01CA$5.62
$3.98CA$5.57
0.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.40CA$4.76
$4.45CA$6.24
-23.60%
Potato(1kg)
$1.49CA$2.09
$2.66CA$3.72
-43.98%
Onion(1kg)
$1.11CA$1.56
$2.57CA$3.60
-56.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.08CA$2.91
$2.22CA$3.11
-6.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.79CA$2.51
$1.71CA$2.40
4.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.55CA$14.78
$13.02CA$18.25
-18.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.23CA$8.73
$10.74CA$15.06
-41.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.12CA$4.37
$3.07CA$4.30
1.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52CA$4.93
$3.55CA$4.97
-0.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Mont-Laurier
Montreal
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.33CA$3.26
$2.69CA$3.76
-13.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$61.9CA$86.8
$74.0CA$104
-16.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.58CA$5.02
$3.64CA$5.10
-1.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.46CA$2.04
$1.44CA$2.02
1.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.51CA$48.37
$34.18CA$47.91
0.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14CA$1.60
$1.17CA$1.64
-2.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1KCA$35.1K
$24.9KCA$34.9K
0.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.4KCA$29.9K
$22.0KCA$30.9K
-3.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mont-Laurier
Montreal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.0CA$104
$75.2CA$105
-1.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.07CA$50.6
$36.93CA$51.8
-2.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.93CA$61.6
$44.25CA$62.0
-0.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mont-Laurier
Montreal
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.09CA$57.6
$42.03CA$58.9
-2.24%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.79CA$23.53
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.20CA$15.69
$10.87CA$15.24
3.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mont-Laurier
Montreal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624CA$875
$624CA$875
0.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,952CA$8,342
$5,856CA$8,209
1.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mont-Laurier
Montreal
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.4CA$87.5
$61.7CA$86.4
1.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.77CA$62.8
$44.74CA$62.7
0.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104CA$145
$102CA$142
2.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120CA$169
$121CA$169
-0.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mont-Laurier
Montreal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,325CA$1,858
$1,220CA$1,710
8.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,172CA$1,642
$956CA$1,340
22.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,031CA$2,847
$2,044CA$2,865
-0.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,783CA$2,500
$1,584CA$2,220
12.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,804CA$5,332
$5,158CA$7,230
-26.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,677CA$5,155
$3,803CA$5,330
-3.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mont-Laurier
Montreal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$2,899CA$4,063
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.01
5.01
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mont-Laurier: July 27, 2026
Last update for Montreal: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,325 in Mont-Laurier and $1,220 in Montreal. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $72.0 in Mont-Laurier vs $74.0 in Montreal for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $331 vs $389 per month, with Mont-Laurier 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
Mont-Laurier vs Montreal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montreal cheaper than Mont-Laurier?
Montreal is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear. The 5% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $3,276 in Mont-Laurier and $3,110 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.
What is the rent difference between Mont-Laurier and Montreal?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,325 in Mont-Laurier versus $1,220 in Montreal. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Mont-Laurier and in Montreal?
Shoppers in Mont-Laurier pay roughly 17% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Is eating out cheaper in Mont-Laurier or in Montreal?
Dining out is cheaper in Montreal – a meal for two runs $74.0 versus $72.0 in Mont-Laurier. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Mont-Laurier or in Montreal?
At $2,073 in Montreal versus $2,184 in Mont-Laurier, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Montreal but tight or insufficient in Mont-Laurier. The gap between the two cities makes Montreal the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Mont-Laurier or Montreal more family-friendly?
For families, Montreal is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Mont-Laurier, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Mont-Laurier or Montreal?
Safety-wise, Mont-Laurier 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 5% less than in Mont-Laurier. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Mont-Laurier vs other spots: cost of living compared