Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Montreal and Santa Clarita, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Montreal: $2,018 a month against $3,822 in Santa Clarita, CA, rent and utilities included – about $21,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Montreal
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,018
/mo nomad
Santa Clarita, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,822
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Montreal and in Santa Clarita, 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 Santa Clarita, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,018 per month in Montreal vs $3,822 in Santa Clarita, CA, rent included.

  • Montreal $2,018
  • Santa Clarita, CA $3,822

A couple spends around $3,085 per month in Montreal vs $5,089 in Santa Clarita, CA, rent included.

  • Montreal $3,085
  • Santa Clarita, CA $5,089

A family of three spends $4,152 per month in Montreal vs $6,356 in Santa Clarita, CA, rent included.

  • Montreal $4,152
  • Santa Clarita, CA $6,356

Montreal is about 47% cheaper than Santa Clarita, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Montreal and Santa Clarita, CA sit above the global median – Montreal by 49%, Santa Clarita, CA by 183%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montreal
Santa Clarita, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.82 CA$26.61
$19.96 $19.96
-5.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.3 CA$99.4
$101 $101
-30.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.66 CA$15.06
$15.04 $15.04
-29.12%
Cappuccino
$3.84 CA$5.43
$6.11 $6.11
-37.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92 CA$2.71
$3.65 $3.65
-47.40%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54 CA$2.18
$2.97 $2.97
-48.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.23 CA$8.81
$8.20 $8.20
-24.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.10 CA$10.03
$9.04 $9.04
-21.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montreal
Santa Clarita, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.31 CA$3.27
$1.18 $1.18
95.76%
White Bread (500g)
$3.14 CA$4.44
$4.08 $4.08
-23.04%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.21 CA$4.54
$4.94 $4.94
-35.02%
Eggs
$3.52 CA$4.97
$4.94 $4.94
-28.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.81 CA$18.11
$19.19 $19.19
-33.25%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.46 CA$16.20
$8.23 $8.23
39.25%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.39 CA$18.92
$16.68 $16.68
-19.72%
Apples (1kg)
$3.14 CA$4.43
$6.43 $6.43
-51.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 CA$2.03
$2.04 $2.04
-29.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.47 CA$4.91
$3.06 $3.06
13.40%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.07 CA$4.34
$3.03 $3.03
1.32%
Potato (1kg)
$1.90 CA$2.69
$8.51 $8.51
-77.67%
Onion (1kg)
$1.77 CA$2.50
$4.85 $4.85
-63.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.34 CA$3.31
$3.60 $3.60
-35.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.55 CA$2.19
$2.71 $2.71
-42.80%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.38 CA$16.09
$11.48 $11.48
-0.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.63 CA$15.03
$15.76 $15.76
-32.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.27 CA$3.21
$1.75 $1.75
29.71%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 CA$3.99
$4.37 $4.37
-35.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Montreal
Santa Clarita, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.66 CA$3.76
$2.55 $2.55
4.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$77.3 CA$109
$26.78 $26.78
188.61%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.20 CA$4.53
$2.85 $2.85
12.28%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 CA$2.09
$2.53 $2.53
-41.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$32.88 CA$46.48
$60.8 $60.8
-45.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.34 CA$1.90
$1.33 $1.33
0.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.2K CA$39.8K
$23.4K $23.4K
20.39%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.6K CA$27.8K
$26.2K $26.2K
-24.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
Santa Clarita, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$76.0 CA$107
$229 $229
-66.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.95 CA$48.00
$55.7 $55.7
-39.09%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.31 CA$59.8
$71.6 $71.6
-40.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
Santa Clarita, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.76 CA$42.07
$37.08 $37.08
-19.74%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.28 CA$28.67
$25.22 $25.22
-19.59%
Cinema Ticket
$11.15 CA$15.77
$14.23 $14.23
-21.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montreal
Santa Clarita, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$507 CA$717
$1,402 $1,402
-63.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.1K CA$22.7K
$37.2K $37.2K
-56.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
Santa Clarita, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.6 CA$81.4
$74.7 $74.7
-22.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.58 CA$53.1
$27.07 $27.07
38.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.9 CA$130
$72.1 $72.1
27.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 CA$155
$108 $108
1.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montreal
Santa Clarita, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,260 CA$1,782
$2,850 $2,850
-55.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$948 CA$1,340
$2,414 $2,414
-60.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,137 CA$3,021
$3,759 $3,759
-43.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,614 CA$2,281
$3,152 $3,152
-48.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,960 CA$7,011
$3,695 $3,695
34.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,838 CA$5,425
$4,359 $4,359
-11.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montreal
Santa Clarita, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,827 CA$3,997
$5,179 $5,179
-45.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.48
6.49
-30.97%

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

Last update for Montreal: October 12, 2026

Last update for Santa Clarita, CA: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Montreal
$948
Santa Clarita, CA
$2.4K 155% $1.5K
Groceries & Markets
Montreal
$346
Santa Clarita, CA
$444 28.1% $97
Eating Out
Montreal
$288
Santa Clarita, CA
$364 26.3% $76
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
$152
Santa Clarita, CA
$356 134% $204
Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
$133
Santa Clarita, CA
$127 4.9% $6.6
Getting Around
Montreal
$99
Santa Clarita, CA
$52 46.7% $46
Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
$52
Santa Clarita, CA
$66 25.9% $13

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,260 in Montreal versus $2,850 in Santa Clarita, 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 83% higher in Santa Clarita, 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 $70.0 in Montreal versus $101 in Santa Clarita, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $346 vs $444 – making Montreal the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇨🇦 Montreal
🇺🇸 Santa Clarita, CA
🕒 Local time
23:22 11:22 PM
20:22 8:22 PM
3 h behind Montreal
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,762,949
182,371
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 Santa Clarita, CA 3,970 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Montreal
  • Santa Clarita, 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 Santa Clarita, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montreal or Santa Clarita, CA?
Santa Clarita, CA costs about 89% more than Montreal, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Santa Clarita, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,027 per month in Montreal and $5,734 in Santa Clarita, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montreal or Santa Clarita, CA?
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.
Are groceries more expensive in Montreal or in Santa Clarita, CA?
Groceries cost about 28% more in Santa Clarita, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Montreal and in Santa Clarita, CA?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $70.0 in Montreal and $101 in Santa Clarita, 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 Santa Clarita, CA?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Montreal, where all-in costs run around $2,018, than in Santa Clarita, CA at $3,822. In Montreal it covers expenses comfortably, while in Santa Clarita, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Montreal or Santa Clarita, CA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Montreal costs $2,018 versus $3,822 in Santa Clarita, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Montreal compared to Santa Clarita, CA?
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 Santa Clarita, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Montreal. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Santa Clarita, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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