What’s a Better City to Live in, Montreal or Toronto?

The largest and most famous cities in Canada are often compared to each other, whether by people looking for bragging rights or a place to live. When it comes to the battles of the big Canadian cities, what’s a better city to live in, Montreal or Toronto? The simple answer is it depends on who you’re asking and what you’re looking for. Thankfully, Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd. has broken down some of the biggest pros, cons, and differences to help you decide between the 514 and the 416 and figure out which major city is the best for you.

In both metropolitan cities, people looking to live in an urban environment will enjoy that feeling in either place. Sprawling along the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto’s greater metropolitan area population is around 6.7 million people, making it Canada’s largest city, while Montreal’s is 4.3 million. 

Both cities offer mass public transit systems to access the city centre and many job opportunities for those who live there. Viewing both cities from an outsider’s perspective, many say that Toronto has more of an American feel compared to some of the European charm offered by Montreal’s rich culture and history.

One Canadian who has lived in each of these two cities compares the feel of each city, saying, “I always tell people Montreal is more obvious than Toronto. It’s smaller and more compact, so its charms are very clear the moment you arrive. Toronto, on the other hand, is huge, spread out, and more understated – it rewards exploration.”

Both Toronto and Montreal offer Canadian climates with cold winters and warm, humid summers. Montreal winters are known for being significantly colder and icier than Toronto, with a considerably heavier snowfall. 

The cost of living in Montreal is less than in Toronto overall. For example, according to Centris, the average rent in Montreal this year is around $1600, whereas Rental Market Trends reports that the median Toronto rent is around $2500. Of course, all of this differs depending on your neighbourhood, as rents in downtown Montreal are significantly higher than in the suburbs, as with Toronto. Similarly, the average house price is lower in the Montreal area, but it can vary significantly from neighbourhood to neighbourhood.

Taxes in Quebec and Montreal are higher for residents, whereas people living in Toronto, Ontario have a lower taxation rate. While Montreal residents tend to have a lower average salary compared to Toronto, the cost of food is marginally lower in Montreal. The cost of entertainment in Montreal is roughly ten percent higher than in Toronto. A wide variety of public transit services are available in both cities; however, the average monthly cost of the Société de transport de Montréal’s public transit is more affordable in Montreal than what is offered by the Toronto transit commission.  

If a reduced cost of living is a part of your long-term plan, it’s important to understand that Montreal is the cheaper place to live overall.

Both cities have many unique neighbourhoods. Some of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Montreal to live in and spend time in include Le Plateau, Old Montreal, Westmount, Griffintown, Beaconsfield, and the downtown core. Many Toronto residents are drawn to areas including Davisville Village, Roncesvalles, Queen Street West, The Danforth, The Annex, The Junction, and the downtown core.

While most people in Montreal also speak English, French is the predominant language. Some Anglophones have said that they feel that not speaking French or having French as their second or third language has limited their career opportunities within Montreal. If you plan to move to Montreal, working on your French language skills will benefit you. Toronto may be a better fit for those who only speak English.

Some of the best things residents of Montreal list about living there include, excellent bike lane infrastructure, businesses embracing happy hours to encourage residents to be more social, numerous art galleries, renowned museums, the lowest university and college fees in Canada, and a fantastic park culture. 

Residents of Toronto boast the city’s safety compared to its vast size, state-of-the-art hospitals, and world-class dining, entertainment, the Royal Ontario Museum, and numerous festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival and Pride Toronto. Sports fans in Toronto can enjoy the country’s only NBA and MLB teams; but not to be outdone, Montreal is also home to the NHL’s Montreal Canadians as well as the 2023 Grey Cup championship team, The Montreal Alouettes.