Cities in Canada: find your place
Compare two cities using the same household reference, then check the journeys and local services that matter to your own move.
Compare two cities on the same basis
2025 basic-needs reference: two adults and two children, metropolitan areas. These are historical statistical thresholds, not current asking rents or a ranking.
Calgary
4,929.33 CAD / month
- Housing, including utilities
- 1,803.58 CAD
- Food
- 1,450.58 CAD
- Transport
- 509.50 CAD
- Telecommunications
- 123.75 CAD
- Clothing and other needs
- 1,041.92 CAD
Montréal
4,190.67 CAD / month
- Housing, including utilities
- 1,182.75 CAD
- Food
- 1,365.17 CAD
- Transport
- 410.17 CAD
- Telecommunications
- 129.33 CAD
- Clothing and other needs
- 1,103.25 CAD
The housing reference includes utilities: do not add them twice. Arrival costs, deposits, childcare and individual health needs must be budgeted separately. A lower threshold does not establish which city suits you.
Next: adapt your monthly budget →Explore the four city guides
Calgary
Plan your Calgary move: test transit and car needs, check rental terms, organise your first week and understand the 2025 family budget reference.
See city guideMontréal
Montréal settling guide: compare borough commutes, check the lease, prepare in French, follow a first-week sequence and read the 2025 family benchmark.
See city guideToronto
Practical Toronto settling guide: test real journeys, get written rental inclusions, follow a first-week plan and read the 2025 family benchmark correctly.
See city guideVancouver
Vancouver settling guide: match your area to real trips, understand zone fares, verify a rental, plan a first week and read the 2025 benchmark.
See city guide
Before choosing an address
- Write down your workplace, school and weekly obligations. Test the door-to-door journeys at the times you would travel.
- Ask for written rental inclusions and collect comparable quotes. Keep the same housing size and household for each city.
- Build your own budget before signing · Prepare your arrival checklist