Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Montreal and Gilbert, AZ

For one person, living is cheaper in Montreal: $2,059 a month against $2,781 in Gilbert, AZ, rent and utilities included – about $8,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Montreal
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,059
/mo nomad
Gilbert, AZ
🇺🇸 United States
$2,781
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Montreal and in Gilbert, AZ

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 Gilbert, AZ actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,059 in Montreal versus $2,781 in Gilbert, AZ.

  • Montreal $2,059
  • Gilbert, AZ $2,781

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,123 in Montreal versus $3,931 in Gilbert, AZ.

  • Montreal $3,123
  • Gilbert, AZ $3,931

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,187 in Montreal versus $5,082 in Gilbert, AZ.

  • Montreal $4,187
  • Gilbert, AZ $5,082

Living in Montreal costs roughly 26% less than in Gilbert, AZ, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in utilities.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Montreal 52% above, Gilbert, AZ 105% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montreal
Gilbert, AZ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.84 CA$26.63
$19.72 $19.72
-4.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.2 CA$104
$76.2 $76.2
-3.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.54 CA$14.90
$11.32 $11.32
-6.89%
Cappuccino
$3.97 CA$5.61
$4.95 $4.95
-19.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 CA$2.74
$2.66 $2.66
-27.07%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57 CA$2.22
$1.72 $1.72
-8.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.42 CA$9.08
$6.36 $6.36
0.94%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.20 CA$10.19
$6.31 $6.31
14.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montreal
Gilbert, AZ
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.32 CA$3.28
$1.01 $1.01
129.70%
White Bread (500g)
$3.19 CA$4.51
$3.34 $3.34
-4.49%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.19 CA$4.50
$5.23 $5.23
-39.01%
Eggs
$3.68 CA$5.20
$3.76 $3.76
-2.13%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.24 CA$18.72
$11.83 $11.83
11.92%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.69 CA$16.53
$11.05 $11.05
5.79%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.98 CA$19.76
$13.38 $13.38
4.48%
Apples (1kg)
$3.14 CA$4.44
$4.49 $4.49
-30.07%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 CA$2.05
$1.97 $1.97
-26.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.38 CA$4.78
$3.93 $3.93
-13.99%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.11 CA$4.40
$4.21 $4.21
-26.13%
Potato (1kg)
$1.93 CA$2.72
$2.54 $2.54
-24.02%
Onion (1kg)
$1.83 CA$2.58
$1.84 $1.84
-0.54%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.36 CA$3.34
$1.96 $1.96
20.41%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.50 CA$2.12
$2.15 $2.15
-30.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.12 CA$15.73
$10.37 $10.37
7.23%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.60 CA$14.98
$13.74 $13.74
-22.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 CA$3.14
$2.12 $2.12
4.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 CA$4.01
$3.32 $3.32
-14.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Montreal
Gilbert, AZ
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.62 CA$3.71
$0.98 $0.98
167.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$79.1 CA$112
$32.52 $32.52
143.36%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.23 CA$4.56
$2.72 $2.72
18.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 CA$2.10
$1.40 $1.40
5.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$32.22 CA$45.55
$36.46 $36.46
-11.63%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 CA$1.92
$0.98 $0.98
38.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.6K CA$39.1K
$36.2K $36.2K
-23.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2K CA$30.0K
$26.7K $26.7K
-20.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
Gilbert, AZ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.0 CA$109
$183 $183
-57.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.14 CA$48.26
$62.6 $62.6
-45.45%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.19 CA$59.7
$73.1 $73.1
-42.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
Gilbert, AZ
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.81 CA$43.56
$60.8 $60.8
-49.33%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.66 CA$27.79
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.47 CA$16.22
$11.96 $11.96
-4.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montreal
Gilbert, AZ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$506 CA$716
$708 $708
-28.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.2K CA$23.0K
$15.6K $15.6K
3.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
Gilbert, AZ
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.3 CA$81.0
$50.4 $50.4
13.61%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.10 CA$53.9
$44.03 $44.03
-13.47%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.9 CA$130
$89.0 $89.0
3.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 CA$155
$116 $116
-5.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montreal
Gilbert, AZ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,237 CA$1,748
$1,726 $1,726
-28.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$977 CA$1,381
$1,512 $1,512
-35.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,180 CA$3,082
$2,827 $2,827
-22.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,608 CA$2,273
$2,282 $2,282
-29.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,113 CA$7,228
$5,296 $5,296
-3.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,744 CA$5,293
$4,683 $4,683
-20.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montreal
Gilbert, AZ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,957 CA$4,180
$5,336 $5,336
-44.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.48
6.44
-30.43%

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

Last update for Montreal: October 20, 2026

Last update for Gilbert, AZ: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Montreal
$977
Gilbert, AZ
$1.5K 54.8% $535
Groceries & Markets
Montreal
$351
Gilbert, AZ
$371 5.7% $20
Eating Out
Montreal
$290
Gilbert, AZ
$313 7.8% $23
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
$153
Gilbert, AZ
$319 108% $166
Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
$134
Gilbert, AZ
$135 0.7% $0.9
Getting Around
Montreal
$100
Gilbert, AZ
$46 54% $54
Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
$54
Gilbert, AZ
$85 57.6% $31

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,237 in Montreal and $1,726 in Gilbert, AZ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Gilbert, AZ pays 80% 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: $73.0 in Montreal vs $76.0 in Gilbert, AZ for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $351 vs $371 per month, with Montreal cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Montreal
🇺🇸 Gilbert, AZ
🕒 Local time
13:52 1:52 PM
10:52 10:52 AM
3 h behind Montreal
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,762,949
208,453
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 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 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Montreal Gilbert, AZ 3,510 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Montreal
  • Gilbert, AZ

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 Gilbert, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montreal or Gilbert, AZ?
Montreal wins on cost – living expenses run 35% lower than in Gilbert, AZ. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Montreal the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Montreal or in Gilbert, AZ?
On paper, salaries run 80% lower in Gilbert, AZ. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Montreal compared to Gilbert, AZ?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,237 in Montreal versus $1,726 in Gilbert, AZ. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Montreal and in Gilbert, AZ?
Dining out is cheaper in Montreal – a meal for two runs $73.0 versus $76.0 in Gilbert, AZ. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Montreal compared to Gilbert, AZ?
All in, you'll spend $2,059 per month in Montreal versus $2,781 in Gilbert, AZ – a 35% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Montreal or in Gilbert, AZ?
At $2,059 in Montreal versus $2,781 in Gilbert, AZ, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Montreal but tight or insufficient in Gilbert, AZ. The gap between the two cities makes Montreal the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Montreal or Gilbert, AZ?
Both work as nomad bases, but Montreal delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $2,059 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Montreal hard to pass up.
How safe is Montreal compared to Gilbert, AZ?
Safety-wise, Montreal and Gilbert, AZ 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Montreal gentler on the wallet – expenses run 35% less than in Gilbert, AZ. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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