Cost-of-living comparator
Compare two cities or scenarios line by line to see which leaves more money in your pocket. To build out a single budget in detail, see the monthly budget calculator.
Rent is usually the biggest difference between cities. Look up average rents by city in the CMHC rental market report.
City B
$185
cheaper per month
$2,220 / year
Frequently asked questions
What actually costs more from one Quebec city to another?
Rent is by far the biggest difference. Groceries, Hydro-Québec electricity (a uniform rate across the province), internet and cell phone plans, and subsidized daycare (about $9.35/day everywhere) are similar from city to city. Focus your comparison on rent and transit.
Why doesn't the tool fill in prices automatically?
Because rents vary enormously by neighbourhood, unit size and year, and change fast. Rather than showing a figure that would often be wrong for your case, the tool compares the amounts YOU enter. For average rents by city, see the CMHC report (link in the tool).
How do I use it to compare two job offers?
Enter your estimated monthly costs in each city (rent, transit, etc.), then compare the total with the net salary offered in each. A higher offer in an expensive city can leave less money in your pocket than a modest offer in an affordable one.
Is my data saved?
No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser: no information is sent to or stored on our servers.
Related guides
Sources and references
- CMHC — average rents by area (data tables)
- Hydro-Québec — residential rates (uniform across the province)
This tool compares the amounts you enter; it doesn't impose any per-city price, because rents vary too much by neighbourhood and year. Use CMHC average rents for reliable benchmarks.
Author's note: before moving for a better salary, run this comparison. A higher salary in Montreal can leave less money than a more modest one in Quebec City or the regions once rent is paid. The real gain is what's left at the end of the month — not the number on the contract.