London VS Montreal

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

London
United Kingdom
87.5
COLI Index
#6
Global Rank
GBP
Currency
Montreal
Canada
52.1
COLI Index
#53
Global Rank
CAD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
87.5
52.1
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$2,500
$1,400
Total Deductions
26.6%
36.8%
Exchange Rate
1 GBP = 1.7980 CAD
Is London cheaper than Montreal?

Yes, Montreal is 40% cheaper than London based on our cost of living index. Montreal has a COLI of 52.1, while London has a COLI of 87.5. 40% cheaper

Key Takeaways: London vs Montreal

Overall, Montreal is approximately 40% cheaper than London based on our cost of living index. London has a COLI of 87.5 (ranked #6 of 182 cities), while Montreal has a COLI of 52.1 (ranked #53).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in London averages $2,500/month compared to $1,400/month in Montreal. That makes Montreal approximately 44% cheaper for rent alone.

London has lower total deductions (26.6%) compared to Montreal (36.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in London. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

London

Income Tax
15%
National Insurance (NI)
8.0%
Council Tax (avg)
3.6%
Total: 26.6%Take-Home: £36,294/yr

Montreal

Income Tax
15%
CPP + EI
6.8%
Provincial Tax (Québec)
15%
Total: 36.8%Take-Home: C$33,435/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn £56,476 in London, you would need approximately C$60,462 in Montreal to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 40% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title London (GBP) Montreal (CAD)
Doctor (General) £118,599 C$126,970
Software Engineer £56,005 C$59,958
Product Manager £65,889 C$70,539
Lawyer £65,889 C$70,539
Data Scientist £62,594 C$67,012
Marketing Manager £47,440 C$50,788
Teacher £31,627 C$33,859
Nurse £38,215 C$40,913

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

London (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Mayfair1.45x (+45%)
Chelsea1.38x (+38%)
Kensington1.35x (+35%)
Marylebone1.32x (+32%)
Hampstead1.30x (+30%)

Montreal (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Westmount1.30x (+30%)
Old Montreal1.22x (+22%)
Outremont1.20x (+20%)
Plateau Mont-Royal1.18x (+18%)
Griffintown1.15x (+15%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is London or Montreal more expensive?

London is more expensive overall. London has a COLI of 87.5 while Montreal has a COLI of 52.1, making Montreal approximately 40% cheaper.

What salary in Montreal equals £56,476 in London?

To maintain the same standard of living as £56,476 in London, you would need approximately C$60,462 in Montreal.

Is rent cheaper in London or Montreal?

Average one-bedroom rent in London is $2,500/month compared to $1,400/month in Montreal. Montreal has lower rent by approximately 44%.

Which city has lower taxes, London or Montreal?

London has lower total deductions (26.6%) compared to Montreal (36.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in London.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.