Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Montreal and Allentown, PA

For one person, living is cheaper in Montreal: $2,064 a month against $2,765 in Allentown, PA, rent and utilities included – about $8,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Montreal, Canada
Allentown, PA, United States
Montreal
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,064
/mo nomad
Allentown, PA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,765
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Montreal and in Allentown, PA

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

A single person spends $2,064 per month in Montreal vs $2,765 in Allentown, PA, rent included.

  • Montreal $2,064
  • Allentown, PA $2,765

A couple spends around $3,156 per month in Montreal vs $3,896 in Allentown, PA, rent included.

  • Montreal $3,156
  • Allentown, PA $3,896

A family of three spends $4,247 per month in Montreal vs $5,027 in Allentown, PA, rent included.

  • Montreal $4,247
  • Allentown, PA $5,027

Montreal is about 25% cheaper than Allentown, PA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Montreal and Allentown, PA sit above the global median – Montreal by 52%, Allentown, PA by 103%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montreal
Allentown, PA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.98 CA$26.64
$19.81 $19.81
-4.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.0 CA$102
$91.8 $91.8
-20.49%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.88 CA$15.27
$12.23 $12.23
-11.04%
Cappuccino
$3.81 CA$5.35
$5.60 $5.60
-31.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 CA$2.72
$2.62 $2.62
-25.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 CA$2.22
$1.57 $1.57
0.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.37 CA$8.94
$4.92 $4.92
29.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.26 CA$10.20
$5.84 $5.84
24.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montreal
Allentown, PA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.23 CA$3.13
$1.19 $1.19
87.39%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 CA$4.45
$2.10 $2.10
50.95%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.31 CA$4.64
$2.43 $2.43
36.21%
Eggs
$3.63 CA$5.09
$3.65 $3.65
-0.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.16 CA$18.47
$15.62 $15.62
-15.75%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.56 CA$16.22
$8.37 $8.37
38.11%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.71 CA$19.25
$18.95 $18.95
-27.65%
Apples (1kg)
$3.29 CA$4.62
$6.78 $6.78
-51.47%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 CA$2.05
$1.65 $1.65
-11.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.37 CA$4.73
$2.86 $2.86
17.83%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.15 CA$4.42
$6.65 $6.65
-52.63%
Potato (1kg)
$1.89 CA$2.65
$2.68 $2.68
-29.48%
Onion (1kg)
$1.79 CA$2.52
$3.30 $3.30
-45.76%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.47 CA$3.47
$2.23 $2.23
10.76%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 CA$2.22
$2.53 $2.53
-37.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.28 CA$15.84
$11.71 $11.71
-3.67%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.49 CA$14.73
$14.72 $14.72
-28.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 CA$3.28
$2.33 $2.33
0.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 CA$4.09
$2.71 $2.71
7.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Montreal
Allentown, PA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.61 CA$3.66
$2.55 $2.55
2.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$79.1 CA$111
$61.0 $61.0
29.66%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.26 CA$4.57
$2.94 $2.94
10.88%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.44 CA$2.02
$2.20 $2.20
-34.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$33.43 CA$46.92
$41.24 $41.24
-18.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.33 CA$1.87
$1.10 $1.10
20.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.6K CA$40.2K
$27.2K $27.2K
5.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1K CA$29.6K
$26.5K $26.5K
-20.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
Allentown, PA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$80.1 CA$112
$188 $188
-57.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.30 CA$48.14
$54.2 $54.2
-36.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.85 CA$60.1
$70.6 $70.6
-39.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
Allentown, PA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.14 CA$43.71
$30.16 $30.16
3.25%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.41 CA$27.24
$25.42 $25.42
-23.64%
Cinema Ticket
$11.23 CA$15.76
$13.03 $13.03
-13.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montreal
Allentown, PA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$525 CA$737
$1,204 $1,204
-56.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.3K CA$22.9K
$11.8K $11.8K
38.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
Allentown, PA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0 CA$81.4
$37.88 $37.88
53.12%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.11 CA$53.5
$51.3 $51.3
-25.64%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.4 CA$131
$89.7 $89.7
4.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 CA$155
$118 $118
-6.52%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montreal
Allentown, PA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,285 CA$1,803
$1,668 $1,668
-22.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$977 CA$1,371
$1,470 $1,470
-33.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,271 CA$3,187
$2,481 $2,481
-8.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,665 CA$2,336
$2,048 $2,048
-18.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,139 CA$7,212
$2,166 $2,166
137.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,834 CA$5,381
$1,905 $1,905
101.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montreal
Allentown, PA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,002 CA$4,213
$3,074 $3,074
-2.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.48
6.43
-30.33%

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

Last update for Montreal: October 25, 2026

Last update for Allentown, PA: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Montreal
$977
Allentown, PA
$1.5K 50.5% $493
Groceries & Markets
Montreal
$351
Allentown, PA
$392 11.5% $40
Eating Out
Montreal
$291
Allentown, PA
$315 8.5% $25
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
$157
Allentown, PA
$313 99% $156
Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
$135
Allentown, PA
$134 1% $1.3
Getting Around
Montreal
$100
Allentown, PA
$85 14.9% $15
Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
$54
Allentown, PA
$56 4.9% $2.6

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,285 in Montreal versus $1,668 in Allentown, PA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $73 in Montreal versus $92 in Allentown, PA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $351 vs $392 – making Montreal the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Montreal
🇺🇸 Allentown, PA
🕒 Local time
18:14 6:14 PM
18:14 6:14 PM
Same time as Montreal
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,762,949
120,443
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 1.4 CAD (1 CAD = 0.713 USD). 1 EUR = 1.56 CAD (1 CAD = 0.64 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.898 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Montreal Allentown, PA 570 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Montreal
  • Allentown, PA

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
Montreal vs Allentown, PA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montreal or Allentown, PA?
Allentown, PA costs about 34% more than Montreal, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from utilities. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Montreal and in Allentown, PA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,096 per month in Montreal and $4,147 in Allentown, PA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montreal or Allentown, PA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Montreal, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,285 there versus $1,668 in Allentown, PA.
How expensive is transport in Montreal compared to Allentown, PA?
Public transport costs about 23% less in Allentown, PA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Montreal and in Allentown, PA?
Kindergarten costs $525 per month in Montreal and $1,204 in Allentown, PA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Montreal or in Allentown, PA?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,064 in Montreal and $2,765 in Allentown, PA. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Montreal – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Montreal vs other spots: cost of living compared

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