Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Montreal and Pomona, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Montreal: $2,064 a month against $2,729 in Pomona, CA, rent and utilities included – about $8,000 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Pomona, CA outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Montreal, Canada
Pomona, CA, United States
Montreal
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,064
/mo nomad
Pomona, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,729
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Montreal and in Pomona, CA

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 Pomona, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,064 per month in Montreal vs $2,729 in Pomona, CA, rent included.

  • Montreal $2,064
  • Pomona, CA $2,729

A couple spends around $3,156 per month in Montreal vs $4,196 in Pomona, CA, rent included.

  • Montreal $3,156
  • Pomona, CA $4,196

A family of three spends $4,247 per month in Montreal vs $5,663 in Pomona, CA, rent included.

  • Montreal $4,247
  • Pomona, CA $5,663

Montreal is about 24% cheaper than Pomona, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Montreal and Pomona, CA sit above the global median – Montreal by 52%, Pomona, CA by 101%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montreal
Pomona, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.98 CA$26.53
$27.85 $27.85
-31.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.0 CA$102
$75.0 $75.0
-2.65%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.88 CA$15.21
$10.03 $10.03
8.47%
Cappuccino
$3.81 CA$5.33
$5.32 $5.32
-28.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 CA$2.71
$1.71 $1.71
13.45%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 CA$2.21
$1.27 $1.27
24.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.37 CA$8.90
$4.86 $4.86
31.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.26 CA$10.15
$5.81 $5.81
24.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montreal
Pomona, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.23 CA$3.11
$1.29 $1.29
72.87%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 CA$4.44
$3.82 $3.82
-17.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.31 CA$4.62
$2.94 $2.94
12.59%
Eggs
$3.63 CA$5.07
$2.94 $2.94
23.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.16 CA$18.39
$13.71 $13.71
-4.01%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.56 CA$16.16
$13.03 $13.03
-11.28%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.71 CA$19.17
$12.25 $12.25
11.92%
Apples (1kg)
$3.29 CA$4.60
$3.32 $3.32
-0.90%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 CA$2.04
$1.34 $1.34
8.96%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.37 CA$4.71
$2.35 $2.35
43.40%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.15 CA$4.40
$2.23 $2.23
41.26%
Potato (1kg)
$1.89 CA$2.64
$1.77 $1.77
6.78%
Onion (1kg)
$1.79 CA$2.51
$1.72 $1.72
4.07%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.47 CA$3.45
$1.13 $1.13
118.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 CA$2.21
$1.75 $1.75
-9.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.28 CA$15.77
$10.80 $10.80
4.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.49 CA$14.67
$13.44 $13.44
-21.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 CA$3.26
$1.59 $1.59
47.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 CA$4.07
$2.76 $2.76
5.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Montreal
Pomona, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.61 CA$3.65
$2.30 $2.30
13.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$79.1 CA$111
$19.30 $19.30
310.00%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.26 CA$4.56
$3.55 $3.55
-8.17%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.44 CA$2.01
$1.82 $1.82
-20.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$33.43 CA$46.73
$24.44 $24.44
36.78%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.33 CA$1.86
$1.35 $1.35
-1.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.6K CA$40.0K
$30.3K $30.3K
-5.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1K CA$29.5K
$26.0K $26.0K
-18.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
Pomona, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$80.1 CA$112
$247 $247
-67.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.30 CA$47.94
$60.3 $60.3
-43.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.85 CA$59.9
$47.98 $47.98
-10.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
Pomona, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.14 CA$43.53
$20.25 $20.25
53.78%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.41 CA$27.12
$40.64 $40.64
-52.24%
Cinema Ticket
$11.23 CA$15.69
$12.18 $12.18
-7.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montreal
Pomona, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$525 CA$734
$557 $557
-5.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.3K CA$22.8K
$8,257 $8,257
97.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
Pomona, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.0 CA$81.1
$31.17 $31.17
86.08%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.11 CA$53.3
$34.96 $34.96
9.01%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.4 CA$131
$72.2 $72.2
29.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 CA$154
$91.4 $91.4
20.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montreal
Pomona, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,285 CA$1,796
$1,927 $1,927
-33.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$977 CA$1,365
$1,482 $1,482
-34.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,271 CA$3,174
$3,482 $3,482
-34.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,665 CA$2,327
$2,898 $2,898
-42.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,139 CA$7,183
$19.2K $19.2K
-73.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,834 CA$5,359
$4,453 $4,453
-13.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montreal
Pomona, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,002 CA$4,196
$3,623 $3,623
-17.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.48
6.5
-31.08%

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

Last update for Montreal: October 25, 2026

Last update for Pomona, CA: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Montreal
$977
Pomona, CA
$1.5K 51.8% $506
Groceries & Markets
Montreal
$351
Pomona, CA
$337 3.9% $14
Eating Out
Montreal
$291
Pomona, CA
$365 25.4% $74
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
$157
Pomona, CA
$355 126% $198
Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
$135
Pomona, CA
$103 23.3% $31
Getting Around
Montreal
$100
Pomona, CA
$41 58.9% $59
Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
$54
Pomona, CA
$45 16.8% $9

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,285 in Montreal versus $1,927 in Pomona, CA. 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 21% higher in Pomona, CA, 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 $73 in Montreal versus $75 in Pomona, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $351 in Montreal vs $337 in Pomona, CA – so Pomona, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Montreal
🇺🇸 Pomona, CA
🕒 Local time
19:55 7:55 PM
16:55 4:55 PM
3 h behind Montreal
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,762,949
154,271
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 1.4 CAD (1 CAD = 0.715 USD). 1 EUR = 1.57 CAD (1 CAD = 0.638 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Montreal Pomona, CA 3,930 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Montreal
  • Pomona, CA

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 Pomona, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montreal or Pomona, CA?
Pomona, CA costs about 32% more than Montreal, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. 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 Pomona, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,096 per month in Montreal and $4,094 in Pomona, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montreal or Pomona, CA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Montreal, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,285 there versus $1,927 in Pomona, CA.
Are groceries more expensive in Montreal or in Pomona, CA?
Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Pomona, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
How do dining costs compare in Montreal and in Pomona, CA?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $73 in Montreal and $75 in Pomona, CA. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Montreal or in Pomona, CA?
$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,064 in Montreal and $2,729 in Pomona, CA. 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.
Should I move to Montreal or to Pomona, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Montreal. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Pomona, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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