location_city QC vs location_city NL

Montreal vs St. John's Cost of Living (2026)

Montreal is about 16% more expensive than St. John's, mostly because of rent. A 1-bedroom rents for $1,700 a month in Montreal vs $1,400 in St. John's.

The Verdict

Living in St. John's is 14% cheaper than living in Montreal overall.

Montreal / month

$2,197

St. John's / month

$1,930

Rent, groceries and transit for one person.

Salary match: what you'd need to earn

Your salary in Montreal $

Salary in Montreal

$100,000

Take-home $69,585 · $5,799/mo

Needed in St. John's

$86,012

Take-home $61,634 · $5,136/mo

To keep the same lifestyle in St. John's you'd need $13,988 less a year (−14%).

Take-home is after 2026 federal and provincial income tax, CPP/QPP and EI for an employee. Cost of living weighs rent, groceries and transit.

Expense Breakdown

real_estate_agent

Average Rent

1-Bed City Center

Montreal

$1,700

18% cheaper

St. John's

$1,400

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Groceries

Monthly Basket (1 Person)

Montreal

$400

12% more expensive

St. John's

$450

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Transportation

Monthly Transit Pass

Montreal

$97

18% cheaper

St. John's

$80

Keep going

Plan your move

Montreal Income Tax CalculatorExact take-home pay for Montreal workers St. John's Income Tax CalculatorExact take-home pay for St. John's workers Rent vs BuyRent or buy after moving to St. John's?

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