Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Montreal and Belleville, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Montreal: $2,018 a month against $2,265 in Belleville, IL, rent and utilities included – about $3,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Montreal
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,018
/mo nomad
Belleville, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,265
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Montreal and in Belleville, IL

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 Belleville, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,018 per month in Montreal vs $2,265 in Belleville, IL, rent included.

  • Montreal $2,018
  • Belleville, IL $2,265

A couple spends around $3,085 per month in Montreal vs $3,396 in Belleville, IL, rent included.

  • Montreal $3,085
  • Belleville, IL $3,396

A family of three spends $4,152 per month in Montreal vs $4,526 in Belleville, IL, rent included.

  • Montreal $4,152
  • Belleville, IL $4,526

Montreal is about 11% cheaper than Belleville, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both Montreal and Belleville, IL sit above the global median – Montreal by 49%, Belleville, IL by 68%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montreal
Belleville, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.82 CA$26.61
$17.89 $17.89
5.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.3 CA$99.4
$65.4 $65.4
7.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.66 CA$15.06
$9.26 $9.26
15.12%
Cappuccino
$3.84 CA$5.43
$4.16 $4.16
-7.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92 CA$2.71
$2.19 $2.19
-12.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54 CA$2.18
$1.69 $1.69
-8.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.23 CA$8.81
$4.62 $4.62
34.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.10 CA$10.03
$5.04 $5.04
40.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montreal
Belleville, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.31 CA$3.27
$0.99 $0.99
133.33%
White Bread (500g)
$3.14 CA$4.44
$2.31 $2.31
35.93%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.21 CA$4.54
$3.53 $3.53
-9.07%
Eggs
$3.52 CA$4.97
$3.92 $3.92
-10.20%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.81 CA$18.11
$11.89 $11.89
7.74%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.46 CA$16.20
$15.28 $15.28
-25.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.39 CA$18.92
$13.11 $13.11
2.14%
Apples (1kg)
$3.14 CA$4.43
$6.94 $6.94
-54.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 CA$2.03
$2.27 $2.27
-36.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.47 CA$4.91
$4.33 $4.33
-19.86%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.07 CA$4.34
$3.75 $3.75
-18.13%
Potato (1kg)
$1.90 CA$2.69
$1.68 $1.68
13.10%
Onion (1kg)
$1.77 CA$2.50
$2.15 $2.15
-17.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.34 CA$3.31
$1.77 $1.77
32.20%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.55 CA$2.19
$2.30 $2.30
-32.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.38 CA$16.09
$7.87 $7.87
44.60%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.63 CA$15.03
$14.86 $14.86
-28.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.27 CA$3.21
$2.14 $2.14
6.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 CA$3.99
$2.96 $2.96
-4.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Montreal
Belleville, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.66 CA$3.76
$1.03 $1.03
158.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.3 CA$109
$77.2 $77.2
0.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.20 CA$4.53
$3.53 $3.53
-9.35%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 CA$2.09
$2.51 $2.51
-41.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$32.88 CA$46.48
$17.79 $17.79
84.82%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.34 CA$1.90
$0.94 $0.94
42.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.2K CA$39.8K
$37.1K $37.1K
-24.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.6K CA$27.8K
$24.4K $24.4K
-19.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
Belleville, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$76.0 CA$107
$242 $242
-68.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.95 CA$48.00
$68.9 $68.9
-50.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.31 CA$59.8
$66.3 $66.3
-36.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
Belleville, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.76 CA$42.07
$35.69 $35.69
-16.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.28 CA$28.67
$30.50 $30.50
-33.51%
Cinema Ticket
$11.15 CA$15.77
$14.19 $14.19
-21.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montreal
Belleville, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$507 CA$717
$1,053 $1,053
-51.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.1K CA$22.7K
$12.5K $12.5K
27.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
Belleville, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.6 CA$81.4
$58.1 $58.1
-0.95%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.58 CA$53.1
$24.73 $24.73
51.96%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.9 CA$130
$88.5 $88.5
3.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 CA$155
$105 $105
4.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montreal
Belleville, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,260 CA$1,782
$1,284 $1,284
-1.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$948 CA$1,340
$944 $944
0.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,137 CA$3,021
$2,091 $2,091
2.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,614 CA$2,281
$1,681 $1,681
-3.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,960 CA$7,011
$2,430 $2,430
104.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,838 CA$5,425
$1,882 $1,882
103.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montreal
Belleville, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,827 CA$3,997
$6,389 $6,389
-55.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.48
6.72
-33.33%

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

Last update for Montreal: October 12, 2026

Last update for Belleville, IL: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Montreal
$948
Belleville, IL
$944 0.4% $3.4
Groceries & Markets
Montreal
$346
Belleville, IL
$389 12.3% $42
Eating Out
Montreal
$288
Belleville, IL
$270 6.4% $18
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
$152
Belleville, IL
$377 148% $225
Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
$133
Belleville, IL
$124 7% $9.3
Getting Around
Montreal
$99
Belleville, IL
$97 1.1% $1.1
Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
$52
Belleville, IL
$64 23.1% $12

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,260 in Montreal versus $1,284 in Belleville, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 126% higher in Belleville, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $70.0 in Montreal versus $65.0 in Belleville, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $346 in Montreal vs $389 in Belleville, IL – so Montreal wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Montreal
🇺🇸 Belleville, IL
🕒 Local time
03:55 3:55 AM
02:55 2:55 AM
1 h behind Montreal
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,762,949
42,404
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 1.41 CAD (1 CAD = 0.707 USD). 1 EUR = 1.59 CAD (1 CAD = 0.629 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Montreal Belleville, IL 1,560 km ≈ 2 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Montreal
  • Belleville, IL

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 Belleville, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montreal or Belleville, IL?
Belleville, IL costs about 12% 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 Belleville, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,027 per month in Montreal and $3,398 in Belleville, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montreal or Belleville, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Montreal, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Montreal and in Belleville, IL?
Kindergarten costs $507 per month in Montreal and $1,053 in Belleville, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Montreal or in Belleville, IL?
Groceries cost about 12% more in Belleville, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Montreal or in Belleville, IL?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Montreal, where all-in costs run around $2,018, than in Belleville, IL at $2,265. In Montreal it covers expenses comfortably, while in Belleville, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Montreal or Belleville, IL?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Montreal costs $2,018 versus $2,265 in Belleville, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Montreal compared to Belleville, IL?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Montreal or to Belleville, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Montreal. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Belleville, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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