Montreal VS Warsaw

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Montreal
Canada
52.1
COLI Index
#53
Global Rank
CAD
Currency
Warsaw
Poland
28.4
COLI Index
#87
Global Rank
PLN
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
52.1
28.4
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,400
$700
Total Deductions
36.8%
21.4%
Exchange Rate
1 CAD = 2.8921 PLN
Is Montreal cheaper than Warsaw?

Yes, Warsaw is 45% cheaper than Montreal based on our cost of living index. Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4, while Montreal has a COLI of 52.1. 45% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Montreal vs Warsaw

Overall, Warsaw is approximately 45% cheaper than Montreal based on our cost of living index. Montreal has a COLI of 52.1 (ranked #53 of 182 cities), while Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4 (ranked #87).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Montreal averages $1,400/month compared to $700/month in Warsaw. That makes Warsaw approximately 50% cheaper for rent alone.

Warsaw has lower total deductions (21.4%) compared to Montreal (36.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Warsaw. 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.

Montreal

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

Warsaw

Income Tax
8%
ZUS Contributions
13.7%
Total: 21.4%Take-Home: zł 65,561/yr

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

Salary Equivalent

If you earn C$101,544 in Montreal, you would need approximately zł 160,084 in Warsaw to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 45% 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 Montreal (CAD) Warsaw (PLN)
Doctor (General) C$126,970 zł 200,169
Software Engineer C$59,958 zł 94,524
Product Manager C$70,539 zł 111,205
Lawyer C$70,539 zł 111,205
Data Scientist C$67,012 zł 105,645
Marketing Manager C$50,788 zł 80,067
Teacher C$33,859 zł 53,378
Nurse C$40,913 zł 64,499

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

Neighborhoods

Montreal (Top 5)

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

Warsaw (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Śródmieście (Centre)1.25x (+25%)
Wilanów1.18x (+18%)
Żoliborz1.15x (+15%)
Stary Mokotów1.15x (+15%)
Mokotów1.12x (+12%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montreal or Warsaw more expensive?

Montreal is more expensive overall. Montreal has a COLI of 52.1 while Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4, making Warsaw approximately 45% cheaper.

What salary in Warsaw equals C$101,544 in Montreal?

To maintain the same standard of living as C$101,544 in Montreal, you would need approximately zł 160,084 in Warsaw.

Is rent cheaper in Montreal or Warsaw?

Average one-bedroom rent in Montreal is $1,400/month compared to $700/month in Warsaw. Warsaw has lower rent by approximately 50%.

Which city has lower taxes, Montreal or Warsaw?

Warsaw has lower total deductions (21.4%) compared to Montreal (36.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Warsaw.

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.