🙂A single person spends $2,085 per month in Montreal vs $2,667 in Springfield, VA, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,174 per month in Montreal vs $4,396 in Springfield, VA, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,262 per month in Montreal vs $6,126 in Springfield, VA, rent included.
🙂Montreal is about 22% cheaper than Springfield, VA, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Montreal and Springfield, VA sit above the global median – Montreal by 56%, Springfield, VA by 100%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Montreal
Springfield, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.52CA$23.16
$19.66$19.66
-15.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.0CA$104
$102$102
-27.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.94CA$15.34
$10.91$10.91
0.27%
Cappuccino
$3.84CA$5.39
$5.18$5.18
-25.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14CA$2.99
$2.16$2.16
-0.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.45CA$2.03
$1.95$1.95
-25.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.13CA$8.60
$5.14$5.14
19.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.73CA$9.44
$8.13$8.13
-17.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Montreal
Springfield, VA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.35CA$3.30
$0.88$0.88
167.05%
White Bread(500g)
$3.34CA$4.68
$3.87$3.87
-13.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.74CA$5.25
$3.80$3.80
-1.58%
Eggs
$3.39CA$4.76
$4.25$4.25
-20.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.30CA$22.85
$9.42$9.42
73.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.81CA$16.56
$12.54$12.54
-5.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.64CA$21.93
$15.61$15.61
0.19%
Apples(1kg)
$3.69CA$5.18
$5.72$5.72
-35.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70CA$2.39
$1.20$1.20
41.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.11CA$5.76
$3.73$3.73
10.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.41CA$6.18
$4.41$4.41
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.79CA$3.91
$2.56$2.56
8.98%
Onion(1kg)
$2.64CA$3.70
$2.80$2.80
-5.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.29CA$3.21
$1.97$1.97
16.24%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.78CA$2.50
$2.13$2.13
-16.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.17CA$18.47
$10.54$10.54
24.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.64CA$14.92
$13.09$13.09
-18.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.99CA$4.19
$2.21$2.21
35.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44CA$4.82
$4.22$4.22
-18.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Montreal
Springfield, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.81CA$3.94
$2.01$2.01
39.80%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$72.8CA$102
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.52CA$4.93
$2.56$2.56
37.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.45CA$2.04
$1.52$1.52
-4.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.29CA$48.08
$22.91$22.91
49.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22CA$1.72
$0.85$0.85
43.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.3KCA$35.4K
$28.7K$28.7K
-11.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.1KCA$31.0K
$25.9K$25.9K
-14.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montreal
Springfield, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$76.5CA$107
$210$210
-63.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.60CA$49.91
$60.7$60.7
-41.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.96CA$60.2
$67.7$67.7
-36.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Montreal
Springfield, VA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.39CA$60.8
$18.34$18.34
136.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.83CA$23.60
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.09CA$15.55
$15.16$15.16
-26.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Montreal
Springfield, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$625CA$876
$1,269$1,269
-50.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,896CA$8,266
$31.8K$31.8K
-81.44%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Montreal
Springfield, VA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.1CA$88.5
$54.3$54.3
16.16%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.50CA$62.4
$39.87$39.87
11.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103CA$144
$77.6$77.6
32.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118CA$166
$122$122
-3.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Montreal
Springfield, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,207CA$1,692
$1,567$1,567
-22.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$965CA$1,353
$1,414$1,414
-31.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,031CA$2,848
$2,605$2,605
-22.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,577CA$2,211
$3,322$3,322
-52.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,085CA$7,129
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,783CA$5,304
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Montreal
Springfield, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,890CA$4,051
$7,052$7,052
-59.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.01
6.58
-23.86%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Montreal: July 11, 2026
Last update for Springfield, VA: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,207 in Montreal versus $1,567 in Springfield, VA. 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 144% higher in Springfield, VA, 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 $74.0 in Montreal versus $102 in Springfield, VA. Groceries tell a different story – $395 in Montreal vs $383 in Springfield, VA – so Springfield, VA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Springfield, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montreal or Springfield, VA?
Springfield, VA costs about 28% more than Montreal, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. 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 Springfield, VA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,127 per month in Montreal and $4,000 in Springfield, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montreal or Springfield, VA?
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 Springfield, VA?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $74.0 in Montreal and $102 in Springfield, VA. 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 Springfield, VA?
Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Springfield, VA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Montreal or in Springfield, VA?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Montreal, where all-in costs run around $2,085, than in Springfield, VA at $2,667. In Montreal it covers expenses comfortably, while in Springfield, VA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Montreal or Springfield, VA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Montreal costs $2,085 versus $2,667 in Springfield, VA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Montreal compared to Springfield, VA?
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 Springfield, VA?
If budget matters most, go with Montreal. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Springfield, VA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.