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Where Is Better to Live: Montréal or Toronto? 

Where Is Better to Live: Montréal or Toronto? 

Table of contents

    Montréal and Toronto are two of Canada’s oldest, largest, and most famous cities. Both cities have been at the forefront of Canadian culture since their founding, from world-renowned sporting rivalries to famous artists. But what are they like to live in? 

    This guide breaks down some of the main things to consider, such as neighbourhoods, the cost of living, average incomes, and more, if you’re looking at a property in Toronto or Montréal.


    Key Takeaways

    • The benchmark price of a home in Toronto is currently $981,000. Comparatively, the benchmark price of a home in Montréal is currently $577,700.
    • The population of Metro Toronto is roughly 6.5 million. Comparatively, Montréal’s population is about 4.6 million.
    • Montréal and Toronto have several unique neighbourhoods with varying median incomes and costs of living.

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    Montréal vs Toronto: Key Differences

    The differences between Toronto and Montréal go back to one of the major fault lines in Canadian history: the English versus French-speaking worlds. In the early days of Canada’s Confederation, English-speaking Canada was laid out to become a country influenced by both British and American culture, becoming a kind of centre point of the two. 

    In Toronto, this is evident in the city’s style and culture. Montréal, being one of the first cities to be claimed by the French colonists, has developed along more distinctly European lines. This key difference is important as it underpins many of the smaller details about each city. 

    Both cities have many large parks and other natural features, like Toronto’s lakefront and islands or the banks of the St Lawrence River and canals in Montréal. Given the large surface area of Toronto’s industrialized regions, Montréal is perhaps better situated in terms of immediate access to nature. Toronto has large parks, such as High Park and the Beaches, to compensate for this.There are many legislative and regulatory contrasts between the two cities because Toronto lies in Ontario, whereas Montréal is in predominantly French-speaking Quebec. Each province and municipality has their own set of laws, taxes, and other differences, such as the first-time home buyer programs available.

    Toronto

    Toronto is well-known for its movie and television industry and appears in several famous shows and films. Many of them have used Toronto as a stand-in for New York City. Indeed, the downtown core resembles Manhattan, and much of Toronto’s architecture mirrors that of New York. 

    Toronto is a busy and constantly bustling city with many different neighbourhoods, from Little Italy to Chinatown and the towering skyscrapers of the financial district. With a population of around 6.3 million in the GTA, Toronto is the larger of the two cities and has a distinctly American feel. 

    With Canada’s only NBA team, a world-renowned baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team. Toronto is akin to larger North American cities like Chicago or New York. 

    Montréal

    Montréal, the smaller of the two cities with a population of around 4.6 million, retains a North American feel in its downtown core. This quickly transforms into a more European-style city reminiscent of parts of central and northern France once you leave the highly built-up areas. 

    While it is the largest city in predominantly French-speaking Quebec, it’s also the most anglophone city in the province. English speakers will be able to get by here; however, it always helps to learn French, particularly if you’re planning to venture to less populated parts of Quebec. 

    Cost of Living vs Average Salary for Montréal & Toronto

    Below is a breakdown of some metrics for the cost of living in Montréal and Toronto, plus the average income for individuals in both cities. 

    In general, Montréal has higher taxes, a much lower cost of living in terms of buying or renting a property, and a marginally lower average income, though not by much. Conversely, Toronto has a marginally higher average income, a significantly higher cost of living, and comparatively lower income taxes.

    Cost of Living vs Average Salary in Montréal

    The outlook for Montréal’s housing market in 2025 indicated continued demand, driven by more affordable real estate compared to other major cities. The benchmark price of a home in Montréal is currently around $577,700, or roughly 40% cheaper to buy when compared to Toronto. 

    According to Statistics Canada’s most recent census data, the average salary in Montréal is $58,200. According to Numbeo.com, the average cost of living in Montréal for a family of four as of September 2025 is roughly $5,069.10 before rent. The cost of living before rent for a single person in Montréal is roughly $1,374.10.

    The tables below show the benchmark costs of residential property in Montréal and the current Quebec tax brackets.

    Property Type Benchmark Price (September 2025)
    All Property Types (Composite) $577,700
    Single Family Home $683,900
    Townhouse/Rowhouse $621,700
    Condominium/Apartment $427,600
    Source: CREA National Statistics
    2025 Quebec Taxable Income Brackets 2025 Quebec Income Tax Rates
    $53,255 or less 14%
    More than $53,255 but not more than $106,495  19%
    More than $106,495 but not more than $129,590 24%
    More than $129,590 25.75%
    Source: Revenue Quebec

    Cost of Living vs Average Salary in Toronto

    The benchmark price of a home in Toronto is currently $981,000 as of September 2025. The fact remains that Toronto is one of the most expensive places to buy a home in Canada. While there are some first-time homebuyer incentives in Toronto, the city is still one of the costliest markets for Canadians. 

    According to Statistics Canada, the average income for Torontonians is only marginally higher at $63,600 compared to Montréal. Toronto has lower taxes than Montréal, but rent and property ownership in the city are much more expensive on average. Popular industries like tech and banking are booming in Toronto, bringing higher-salaried jobs to the city. 

    According to Numbeo.com, a family of four in Toronto currently has an average monthly cost of living of $5,705.60 before rent. Meanwhile, a single person’s monthly costs are around $1,566.10 without rent.

    Below are tables showing the average cost of residential property in Toronto and the current Ontario tax brackets.

    Property Type Benchmark Price (September 2025)
    All Property Types (Composite) $981,000
    Single Family Home $1,198,800
    Townhouse/Rowhouse $722,100
    Condominium/Apartment $577,600
    Source: CREA National Statistics
    2025 Ontario Taxable Income Brackets  2025 Ontario Income Tax Rates
    On the portion of taxable income that is $52,886 or less 5.05%
    On the portion over $52,886 up to $105,775 9.15%
    On the portion over $105,775 up to $150,000 11.16%
    On the portion $150,000 but not more than $220,000 12.16%
    On the portion over $220,000  13.16%
    Source: Government of Canada – Ontario Tax

    Note: Ontario income tax brackets are applied only to the amount within the specified bracket. If you earn $70,000, you will pay 5.05% on the amount you made at or below $52,886 and 9.15% on every dollar above $52,886.

    Comparable Neighbourhoods in Montréal & Toronto

    The table below outlines some of the most popular neighbourhoods in Montréal and their approximate counterparts in Toronto. Ultimately, both cities have unique characteristics. While it’s hard to make exact comparisons, there are overlaps in the general features and demographics of many neighbourhoods in these cities.

    Neighbourhood in Montréal Neighbourhood in Toronto
    Griffintown
    As part of Les Quartiers du Canal, Griffintown is a neighbourhood located west of Old Montréal known as the Cité Multimédia. To the south, Griffintown borders the Lachine Canal. It’s a revitalized residential area with multiple condos, parks, and walking routes with views of downtown.

    Fun things to do: Since the early 2000s, Griffintown has seen an influx of young professionals and families. Much of the original mid-1800s architecture has been retained, but it has been retrofitted to include trendy art galleries and coffee shops. It’s about a 20-minute walk from the downtown core, but there’s plenty to do in the area and on the way downtown. 
    The Rue Notre-Dame is worth checking out for its architecture and the world-class Arsenal Art Contemporain Montréal.
    The Annex
    The Annex is a cozy, collegiate neighbourhood close to downtown and the University of Toronto. This area lies roughly within Bloor St, Dupont St, Bathurst St, and Avenue Rd. Low crime, nice houses, and great amenities are the pull for this area, though the cost of living is high.

    Fun things to do: The Annex is one of the most central neighbourhoods in Toronto, close to some of Toronto’s best restaurants, coffee shops, theatres, stores, and bars. Close to UofT and Chinatown and within walking distance to areas like Little Italy, Kensington Market, Yonge Street, and Queen West. 
    The Annex is central and close to museums like the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum.
    Vieux-Montréal
    Vieux-Montréal, or Old Montréal, is one of the city’s most historic neighbourhoods. While it’s older than Toronto’s Distillery District, it follows the same theme of utilizing older architecture to create a trendy downtown neighbourhood. Vieux-Montréal is home to some of Montréal’s most impressive architectural and cultural landmarks.

    Fun things to do: If you’re in Old Montréal, it’s pretty much a given that you will want to go and see Notre Dame Basilica of Montréal, a stunning Gothic Revival church at the corner of St-Sulpice. 
    The church is renowned for its acoustics and contains some of the most beautiful Gothic Revival architecture in North America. Dating to the 17th century, Old Montréal’s cobblestone streets are full of lively plazas, cafes, bars, and shops to explore alone or with a group.
    Distillery District 
    This core downtown neighbourhood is known for its 19th-century architecture. It’s a pedestrianized area below Front Street and almost borders the waterfront. This area has many trendy bars, restaurants, shops and apartments. It’s one of the more expensive places to live downtown, but the price tag comes with some of the best walkability and surroundings downtown has to offer.

    Fun things to do: The Distillery District is right downtown. Close to the Rogers Centre – home of the Toronto Blue Jays, and Scotiabank Arena – home of the Raptors,  plus much of Toronto’s best nightlife. 
    The Distillery District is also home to Toronto’s legendary Christmas Market and Winter Village.
    International District (Quartier international de Montréal)
    Quartier international is a lively downtown area of Montréal, at the crossroads between Old Montréal and the city’s business district. This area includes skyscrapers, hotels, and the Palais des Congrès de Montréal.

    Fun things to do: The International District is a highly commercialized area of the city that features major architectural landmarks, including Victoria Square, the BMO Museum, the Maisonneuve Monument, the Montréal World Trade Centre, and the Palais des Congrès de Montréal. 

    If you’re looking for a wild night out, La Voûte Night Cabaret is one of the city’s top destinations, set in a 1920s bank vault and with avant-garde performances every week.
    Church And Wellesley
    Church and Wellesley is an LGBTQ+ friendly neighbourhood downtown, to the East of Yonge Street (Toronto’s main arterial route from the North of the city to the South) and bordering Cabbagetown further East. Church and Wellesley is a stone’s throw from Yonge and Dundas Square, Toronto’s equivalent of Times Square.

    Fun things to do: A quick walk to Yonge Street takes you down to the Eaton Centre shopping mall. Church and Wellesley is located close to Allan Gardens, one of Toronto’s oldest parks, well known for its conservatory and Horticultural Gardens, which have been open to the public free of charge since 1860. 
    Bois-Franc
    Bois-Franc is a residential suburb within Greater Montréal, about a 20-30 minute drive from downtown Montréal. It’s a quiet, low-crime area with decent amenities without the busy downtown living vibe.

    Fun things to do: Bois-Franc is a quieter residential neighbourhood with a higher median age and a higher density of married couples and families compared to trendier parts of Montréal. It’s home to several parks, cafes and restaurants, but you won’t find the same bustle as downtown or even other areas of the city.
    North York (City Centre)
    North York City Centre is a central business district about a 20-30-minute drive north of Downtown proper. North York is located along Yonge Street, between Sheppard Avenue and Finch Avenue, with its central focus around Mel Lastman Square.

    Fun things to do: North York is a relatively quieter part of Toronto, but there’s still a lot going on. The area is home to Empress Walk, a shopping mall, North York Central Library, and the Toronto Centre for the Arts. 
    Situated slightly further away from the bustle of downtown, North York is a more affordable part of the city with many bars, restaurants and shopping areas. You can also check out the stunning Edward Gardens, Aga Khan Museum, or Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
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    Is Living in Montréal More Expensive Than in Toronto?

    In the context of buying a home, Toronto is more expensive than Montréal on average. While the city has a higher average median income in some industries, which offsets some of the cost of living, Montréal is still far cheaper to rent and buy a home. 

    Ultimately, despite the higher tax brackets in Quebec compared to Ontario, Montréal is still a much cheaper place to buy a home than Toronto. However, both markets showed consistent growth throughout the pandemic. Depending on which city you’re looking at, it may be the right time to buy a home in either market.

    Weather in Montréal vs. Toronto

    Toronto is a marginally warmer place to live compared to Montréal. Toronto is known for its brief yet erratic transitional seasons, particularly around September-October. These can include heavy showers and storms. 

    Summers in both cities are pleasant, with Toronto seeing extreme heat often during July and August. Both cities see similar patterns of average temperatures, with Montréal and Toronto almost evenly matched for summer temperatures. Montréal is slightly colder during the winter months. Both are prone to their share of ice and snowstorms.

    Montréal Weather

    Month High Temperature (°C) Low Temperature  (°C) Rain (average # of days)
    January -4 -14 7
    February -4 -12 4
    March 2 -6 9
    April 11 1 15
    May 19 8 18
    June 23 12 17
    July 26 16 18
    August 27 14 15
    September 23 9 13
    October 14 4 17
    November 8 -2 16
    December 0 -11 8
    Source: Holiday Weather

    Toronto Weather

    Month High Temperature (°C) Low Temperature  (°C) Rain (average # of days)
    January 0 -5 10
    February 0 -5 6
    March 4 -2 10
    April 9 5 15
    May 17 10 16
    June 22 10 13
    July 25 17 13
    August 24 17 12
    September 22 13 12
    October 14 8 14
    November 8 2 14
    December 1 -3 11
    Source: Holiday Weather

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    As both cities are popular destinations for Canadians buying a home, here are some of the most popular questions about the differences between living in Montréal and Toronto.

    Can I get by speaking English in Montréal?

    The short answer is, of course. 

    The longer answer? It helps to pick up French when you’re in Montréal. If you’re planning on staying in the city for the long haul, learning French is an asset to have, as many of the locals are French-speaking and bilingual. 

    Much of the rest of Quebec requires a basic level of French ability. If you plan to migrate to Montréal from abroad, you will need to prove your French ability before you can become a resident of Quebec.

    Why is Montréal popular?

    Montréal is a unique city in Canada, as it combines elements of Canada’s British, American, and French influences. Because of this, Montréal is popular with many different people for many reasons. There is something for everyone, from culture to art, architecture and history to comedy, food, and sports.

    Montréal is also one of Canada’s most historic cities, dating back to the mid-1600s, plus many internationally-acclaimed art galleries, restaurants, nightclubs, cocktail bars, and boundless examples of beautiful architecture, old and new, reside here. 

    Montréal is home to the internationally-renowned Montréal comedy festival, Just For Laughs (Juste Pour Rire), and one of the most successful and historied hockey teams on the planet, the Montréal Canadiens. Finally, Montréal’s housing is also some of Canada’s most affordable for a major city.

    Why is Toronto popular?

    Toronto is a major city situated on the shores of Lake Ontario and spanning hundreds of square kilometres, with something to love for everyone. Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the 4th largest in North America, after Mexico City, New York City, and Los Angeles. It is a truly global city, boasting one of the most diverse populations and a rich mix of cultures among North American cities. 

    Home to world-famous sports teams, music and events centres, orchestras, jazz clubs, theatres, art galleries, the iconic Yonge and Dundas Square, Kensington Market, the nightlife of Queen West and King Street, bustling Chinatown and Koreatown, and many more unique neighbourhoods. Toronto is a great place to live despite the high cost of living.

    Montréal vs. Toronto: Where to Live? 

    Ultimately, Toronto and Montréal are two very different cities, culturally and historically. However, both places share a lot in common and have many similar amenities you would expect of a major North American city. 

    While Toronto is a more expensive place to buy a home, it has lower income taxes and a relatively higher median income for many individuals. On the other hand, Montréal is the cheaper of the two cities to buy a home, making it the more affordable choice. 

    Get in touch with one of our mortgage advisors today if you’re ready to make the move to Montréal or Toronto. Still trying to decide? Compare the best mortgage rates available today.


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