Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Montreal and Saint Joseph, MO

For one person, living is cheaper in Montreal: $2,059 a month against $2,485 in Saint Joseph, MO, rent and utilities included – about $5,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Montreal
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,059
/mo nomad
Saint Joseph, MO
🇺🇸 United States
$2,485
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Montreal and in Saint Joseph, MO

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 Saint Joseph, MO actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,059 per month in Montreal vs $2,485 in Saint Joseph, MO, rent included.

  • Montreal $2,059
  • Saint Joseph, MO $2,485

A couple spends around $3,123 per month in Montreal vs $3,629 in Saint Joseph, MO, rent included.

  • Montreal $3,123
  • Saint Joseph, MO $3,629

A family of three spends $4,187 per month in Montreal vs $4,773 in Saint Joseph, MO, rent included.

  • Montreal $4,187
  • Saint Joseph, MO $4,773

Montreal is about 17% cheaper than Saint Joseph, MO, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Montreal and Saint Joseph, MO sit above the global median – Montreal by 52%, Saint Joseph, MO by 83%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montreal
Saint Joseph, MO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.84 CA$26.63
$20.25 $20.25
-6.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.2 CA$104
$50.1 $50.1
46.06%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.54 CA$14.90
$10.79 $10.79
-2.32%
Cappuccino
$3.97 CA$5.61
$5.09 $5.09
-22.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 CA$2.74
$2.14 $2.14
-9.35%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57 CA$2.22
$1.10 $1.10
42.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.42 CA$9.08
$4.92 $4.92
30.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.20 CA$10.19
$7.61 $7.61
-5.39%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montreal
Saint Joseph, MO
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.32 CA$3.28
$0.89 $0.89
160.67%
White Bread (500g)
$3.19 CA$4.51
$3.26 $3.26
-2.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.19 CA$4.50
$6.10 $6.10
-47.70%
Eggs
$3.68 CA$5.20
$4.67 $4.67
-21.20%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.24 CA$18.72
$11.63 $11.63
13.84%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.69 CA$16.53
$8.39 $8.39
39.33%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.98 CA$19.76
$14.71 $14.71
-4.96%
Apples (1kg)
$3.14 CA$4.44
$6.98 $6.98
-55.01%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 CA$2.05
$2.16 $2.16
-32.87%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.38 CA$4.78
$5.80 $5.80
-41.72%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.11 CA$4.40
$4.36 $4.36
-28.67%
Potato (1kg)
$1.93 CA$2.72
$3.42 $3.42
-43.57%
Onion (1kg)
$1.83 CA$2.58
$3.73 $3.73
-50.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.36 CA$3.34
$1.91 $1.91
23.56%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.50 CA$2.12
$2.53 $2.53
-40.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.12 CA$15.73
$8.74 $8.74
27.23%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.60 CA$14.98
$17.28 $17.28
-38.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 CA$3.14
$1.87 $1.87
18.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 CA$4.01
$2.45 $2.45
15.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Montreal
Saint Joseph, MO
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.62 CA$3.71
$1.97 $1.97
32.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$79.1 CA$112
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.23 CA$4.56
$5.10 $5.10
-36.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 CA$2.10
$1.81 $1.81
-18.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$32.22 CA$45.55
$35.53 $35.53
-9.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 CA$1.92
$1.04 $1.04
30.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.6K CA$39.1K
$27.7K $27.7K
-0.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2K CA$30.0K
$26.4K $26.4K
-19.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
Saint Joseph, MO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.0 CA$109
$147 $147
-47.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.14 CA$48.26
$47.87 $47.87
-28.68%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.19 CA$59.7
$66.0 $66.0
-36.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
Saint Joseph, MO
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.81 CA$43.56
$40.97 $40.97
-24.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.66 CA$27.79
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.47 CA$16.22
$15.29 $15.29
-24.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montreal
Saint Joseph, MO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$506 CA$716
$812 $812
-37.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.2K CA$23.0K
$20.8K $20.8K
-22.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
Saint Joseph, MO
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.3 CA$81.0
$47.92 $47.92
19.49%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.10 CA$53.9
$34.63 $34.63
10.02%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.9 CA$130
$89.1 $89.1
3.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 CA$155
$116 $116
-5.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montreal
Saint Joseph, MO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,237 CA$1,748
$1,616 $1,616
-23.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$977 CA$1,381
$1,289 $1,289
-24.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,180 CA$3,082
$2,489 $2,489
-12.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,608 CA$2,273
$2,185 $2,185
-26.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,113 CA$7,228
$1,569 $1,569
225.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,744 CA$5,293
$1,566 $1,566
139.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montreal
Saint Joseph, MO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,957 CA$4,180
$2,880 $2,880
2.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.48
6.37
-29.67%

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

Last update for Montreal: October 20, 2026

Last update for Saint Joseph, MO: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Montreal
$977
Saint Joseph, MO
$1.3K 32% $313
Groceries & Markets
Montreal
$351
Saint Joseph, MO
$403 14.8% $52
Eating Out
Montreal
$290
Saint Joseph, MO
$308 6.1% $18
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
$153
Saint Joseph, MO
$261 70.1% $107
Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
$134
Saint Joseph, MO
$130 3.1% $4.2
Getting Around
Montreal
$100
Saint Joseph, MO
$22 * 78% $78
Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
$54
Saint Joseph, MO
$72 33.1% $18

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,237 in Montreal versus $1,616 in Saint Joseph, MO. 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 3% higher in Montreal, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $73.0 in Montreal versus $50.0 in Saint Joseph, MO. Groceries tell a different story – $351 in Montreal vs $403 in Saint Joseph, MO – so Montreal wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Montreal
🇺🇸 Saint Joseph, MO
🕒 Local time
22:28 10:28 PM
21:28 9:28 PM
1 h behind Montreal
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,762,949
76,780
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to CAD – Canadian Dollar Converter

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 21, 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 21, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Montreal Saint Joseph, MO 1,850 km ≈ 2 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Montreal
  • Saint Joseph, MO

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 Saint Joseph, MO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montreal or Saint Joseph, MO?
Saint Joseph, MO costs about 21% more than Montreal, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from transport. 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 Saint Joseph, MO?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,089 per month in Montreal and $3,727 in Saint Joseph, MO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montreal or Saint Joseph, MO?
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 dining costs compare in Montreal and in Saint Joseph, MO?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $73.0 in Montreal and $50.0 in Saint Joseph, MO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Montreal or in Saint Joseph, MO?
Groceries cost about 15% more in Saint Joseph, MO, 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 Saint Joseph, MO?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Montreal, where all-in costs run around $2,059, than in Saint Joseph, MO at $2,485. In Montreal it covers expenses comfortably, while in Saint Joseph, MO it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Montreal or Saint Joseph, MO?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Montreal costs $2,059 versus $2,485 in Saint Joseph, MO. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Montreal compared to Saint Joseph, MO?
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 Saint Joseph, MO?
If budget matters most, go with Montreal. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Saint Joseph, MO makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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