Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Stockton, CA and Montreal

For one person, living is cheaper in Montreal: $2,003 a month against $2,796 in Stockton, CA, rent and utilities included – about $9,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Stockton, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,796
/mo nomad
Montreal
🇨🇦 Canada
$2,003
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Stockton, CA and in Montreal actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,796 per month in Stockton, CA vs $2,003 in Montreal, rent included.

  • Stockton, CA $2,796
  • Montreal $2,003

A couple spends around $4,255 per month in Stockton, CA vs $3,048 in Montreal, rent included.

  • Stockton, CA $4,255
  • Montreal $3,048

A family of three spends $5,715 per month in Stockton, CA vs $4,092 in Montreal, rent included.

  • Stockton, CA $5,715
  • Montreal $4,092

Stockton, CA costs about 40% more than Montreal, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Stockton, CA and Montreal sit above the global median – Stockton, CA by 109%, Montreal by 49%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Stockton, CA
Montreal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.33 $22.33
$19.31 CA$27.53
15.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.0 $74.0
$75.5 CA$108
-2.04%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.83 $11.83
$10.63 CA$15.15
11.29%
Cappuccino
$5.79 $5.79
$3.93 CA$5.60
47.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21 $3.21
$1.92 CA$2.74
67.19%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27 $2.27
$1.48 CA$2.11
53.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.93 $7.93
$6.30 CA$8.98
25.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.67 $6.67
$7.19 CA$10.25
-7.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Stockton, CA
Montreal
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.42 $1.42
$2.22 CA$3.17
-36.04%
White Bread (500g)
$4.37 $4.37
$3.06 CA$4.37
42.81%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.23 $4.23
$2.94 CA$4.19
43.88%
Eggs
$5.75 $5.75
$3.53 CA$5.04
62.89%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.85 $8.85
$13.19 CA$18.80
-32.90%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.29 $14.29
$11.24 CA$16.02
27.14%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$22.19 $22.19
$13.81 CA$19.69
60.68%
Apples (1kg)
$5.41 $5.41
$3.40 CA$4.85
59.12%
Banana (1kg)
$1.30 $1.30
$1.44 CA$2.06
-9.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.57 $3.57
$3.26 CA$4.65
9.51%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.61 $5.61
$2.88 CA$4.10
94.79%
Potato (1kg)
$2.09 $2.09
$1.86 CA$2.65
12.37%
Onion (1kg)
$3.02 $3.02
$1.82 CA$2.60
65.93%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.43 CA$3.46
-3.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.52 CA$2.17
69.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.58 $11.58
$11.45 CA$16.33
1.14%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.31 $15.31
$10.36 CA$14.77
47.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 $1.69
$2.22 CA$3.16
-23.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.22 $1.22
$2.82 CA$4.02
-56.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Stockton, CA
Montreal
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.52 $2.52
$2.58 CA$3.67
-2.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.61 $40.61
$76.9 CA$110
-47.18%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.42 $3.42
$3.25 CA$4.64
5.23%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.04 $3.04
$1.48 CA$2.11
105.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.63 $29.63
$33.04 CA$47.11
-10.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.58 $1.58
$1.36 CA$1.94
16.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4K $25.4K
$27.4K CA$39.1K
-7.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$20.0K CA$28.5K
27.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Stockton, CA
Montreal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$271 $271
$76.1 CA$109
255.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.03 $47.03
$34.68 CA$49.45
35.61%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$84.2 $84.2
$42.69 CA$60.9
97.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Stockton, CA
Montreal
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.39 $37.39
$28.94 CA$41.27
29.20%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$20.33 CA$28.98
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.92 $13.92
$11.21 CA$15.98
24.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Stockton, CA
Montreal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$248 $248
$505 CA$720
-50.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.9K $14.9K
$16.0K CA$22.8K
-7.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Stockton, CA
Montreal
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0 $60.0
$58.5 CA$83.4
2.60%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.28 $29.28
$38.00 CA$54.2
-22.95%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.5 $80.5
$92.7 CA$132
-13.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.0 $72.0
$106 CA$151
-31.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Stockton, CA
Montreal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,583 $1,583
$1,240 CA$1,768
27.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,349 $1,349
$986 CA$1,406
36.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,866 $2,866
$2,102 CA$2,997
36.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,596 $2,596
$1,615 CA$2,302
60.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,009 $3,009
$5,043 CA$7,191
-40.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,047 $3,047
$3,830 CA$5,461
-20.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Stockton, CA
Montreal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,835 $3,835
$2,920 CA$4,164
31.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.49
4.46
45.52%

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

Last update for Stockton, CA: October 4, 2026

Last update for Montreal: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Stockton, CA
$1.3K
Montreal
$986 26.9% $363
Groceries & Markets
Stockton, CA
$434
Montreal
$344 20.8% $90
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Stockton, CA
$402
Montreal
$154 61.8% $249
Eating Out
Stockton, CA
$359
Montreal
$293 18.3% $66
Clothing & Footwear
Stockton, CA
$109
Montreal
$133 22% $24
Getting Around
Stockton, CA
$69
Montreal
$98 41.2% $29
Sport & Entertainment
Stockton, CA
$65
Montreal
$51 21.3% $14

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,583 in Stockton, CA versus $1,240 in Montreal. 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 31% higher in Stockton, 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 $74.0 in Stockton, CA versus $75.0 in Montreal. Groceries tell a different story – $434 in Stockton, CA vs $344 in Montreal – so Montreal wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Stockton, CA
🇨🇦 Montreal
🕒 Local time
02:48 2:48 AM
05:48 5:48 AM
3 h ahead of Stockton, CA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
305,658
1,762,949
Exchange rates and currency converter

CAD, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

Canadian Dollar exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 USD = 1.43 CAD (1 CAD = 0.701 USD). 1 EUR = 1.6 CAD (1 CAD = 0.626 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Stockton, CA Montreal 3,990 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Stockton, CA
  • Montreal

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
Stockton, CA vs Montreal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Stockton, CA or Montreal?
Stockton, CA costs about 40% 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 Stockton, CA and in Montreal?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,194 per month in Stockton, CA and $3,005 in Montreal. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Stockton, CA or Montreal?
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 Stockton, CA or in Montreal?
Groceries cost about 26% more in Stockton, 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 Stockton, CA and in Montreal?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $74.0 in Stockton, CA and $75.0 in Montreal. 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 Stockton, CA or in Montreal?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Montreal, where all-in costs run around $2,003, than in Stockton, CA at $2,796. In Montreal it covers expenses comfortably, while in Stockton, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Stockton, CA or Montreal?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Montreal costs $2,003 versus $2,796 in Stockton, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Stockton, CA compared to Montreal?
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 Stockton, CA or to Montreal?
If budget matters most, go with Montreal. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Stockton, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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