🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,085 in Montreal versus $3,143 in Milton.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,174 in Montreal versus $4,242 in Milton.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,262 in Montreal versus $5,341 in Milton.
🌍Living in Montreal costs roughly 34% less than in Milton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Montreal56% above, Milton135% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montreal
Milton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.52CA$23.16
$14.75CA$20.68
12.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.0CA$104
$75.0CA$105
-1.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.94CA$15.34
$13.00CA$18.23
-15.85%
Cappuccino
$3.84CA$5.39
$3.78CA$5.31
1.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14CA$2.99
$3.15CA$4.41
-32.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.45CA$2.03
$2.44CA$3.42
-40.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.13CA$8.60
$8.05CA$11.29
-23.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.73CA$9.44
$5.60CA$7.86
20.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montreal
Milton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.35CA$3.30
$2.38CA$3.34
-1.26%
White Bread(500g)
$3.34CA$4.68
$2.62CA$3.68
27.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.74CA$5.25
$4.44CA$6.23
-15.77%
Eggs
$3.39CA$4.76
$3.40CA$4.76
-0.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.30CA$22.85
$6.60CA$9.25
146.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.81CA$16.56
$29.60CA$41.51
-60.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.64CA$21.93
$19.12CA$26.81
-18.20%
Apples(1kg)
$3.69CA$5.18
$5.46CA$7.66
-32.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70CA$2.39
$1.55CA$2.17
9.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.11CA$5.76
$2.95CA$4.13
39.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.41CA$6.18
$3.22CA$4.52
36.96%
Potato(1kg)
$2.79CA$3.91
$1.10CA$1.54
153.64%
Onion(1kg)
$2.64CA$3.70
$1.25CA$1.75
111.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.29CA$3.21
$1.74CA$2.44
31.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.78CA$2.50
$2.24CA$3.14
-20.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.17CA$18.47
$12.34CA$17.30
6.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64CA$14.92
$13.19CA$18.49
-19.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.99CA$4.19
$2.17CA$3.05
37.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44CA$4.82
$2.82CA$3.96
21.99%
🚌 Getting Around
Montreal
Milton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.81CA$3.94
$2.87CA$4.03
-2.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$72.8CA$102
$45.49CA$63.8
60.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.52CA$4.93
$3.08CA$4.31
14.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.45CA$2.04
$1.49CA$2.09
-2.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.29CA$48.08
$36.38CA$51.0
-5.74%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22CA$1.72
$1.09CA$1.53
11.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.3KCA$35.4K
$25.1KCA$35.2K
0.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.1KCA$31.0K
$23.9KCA$33.5K
-7.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
Milton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$76.5CA$107
$249CA$348
-69.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.60CA$49.91
$59.9CA$83.9
-40.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.96CA$60.2
$68.6CA$96.2
-37.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
Milton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.39CA$60.8
$32.58CA$45.67
33.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.83CA$23.60
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.09CA$15.55
$16.52CA$23.16
-32.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montreal
Milton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$625CA$876
$550CA$771
13.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,896CA$8,266
$11.9KCA$16.7K
-50.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
Milton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.1CA$88.5
$55.5CA$77.8
13.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.50CA$62.4
$54.0CA$75.8
-17.64%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103CA$144
$93.1CA$131
10.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118CA$166
$127CA$179
-7.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montreal
Milton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,207CA$1,692
$1,780CA$2,495
-32.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$965CA$1,353
$1,677CA$2,350
-42.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,031CA$2,848
$2,631CA$3,689
-22.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,577CA$2,211
$2,362CA$3,311
-33.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,085CA$7,129
$4,655CA$6,527
9.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,783CA$5,304
$4,065CA$5,699
-6.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montreal
Milton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,890CA$4,051
$3,165CA$4,438
-8.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.01
6.8
-26.32%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Montreal: July 11, 2026
Last update for Milton: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,207 in Montreal and $1,780 in Milton. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Milton pays 10% 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: $74.0 in Montreal vs $75.0 in Milton for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $395 vs $454 per month, with Montreal 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
Montreal vs Milton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Montreal and in Milton?
Montreal and Milton differ by about 51% in total monthly costs ($2,085 vs $3,143 including rent). Montreal is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 10% lower in Milton. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Montreal and in Milton?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,207 in Montreal versus $1,780 in Milton. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Montreal and in Milton?
A monthly transit pass in Montreal runs roughly 60% less than in Milton. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Montreal and Milton?
Childcare runs $625 in Montreal versus $550 in Milton. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $2,085 in Montreal versus $3,143 in Milton, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Montreal but tight or insufficient in Milton. The gap between the two cities makes Montreal the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Montreal and Milton?
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 Montreal or Milton safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Montreal and Milton 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: Montreal or Milton?
Expats usually find Montreal gentler on the wallet – expenses run 51% less than in Milton. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.