Community Events
#26
of 124 cities
12 events on luma
Current value
#55 of 124
North America
Montreal
Canada
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Montreal compare to San Francisco?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Montreal is 40% worse off vs in San Francisco
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Montreal compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$53,512
-$119K (-69%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 30%
Community Insights
NewMontreal offers a unique proposition for software engineers: a vibrant, culturally rich city with a booming AI and Gaming sector at a significantly lower cost of living than Toronto or Vancouver. However, this affordability comes at a price. The city ranks lower on Net Income due to high taxes, and the French language factor is a critical consideration—while many tech companies operate in English, recent legislation and the OIQ professional standards make French essential for long-term stability and integration. It is a city that prioritizes lifestyle and culture over raw financial accumulation.
Resident Sentiment
Mixed but Affectionate.
Most residents, especially transplants, express a deep love for the city's charm, food scene, and affordability. However, recent sentiment has shifted towards frustration regarding Bill 96 (language laws), which has made some Anglophone tech workers feel unwelcome or anxious about their future. There is also a common complaint about "golden handcuffs": loving the lifestyle and cheap rent, but feeling financially stuck due to the high tax/low salary ratio compared to opportunities elsewhere.
Rankings
Top 21%
Pollution Score
#28
of 124 cities
33.7/100
Current value (lower is better)
Safety Index
#35
of 124 cities
67.1/100
Current value
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Montreal compared to San Francisco?
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Montreal to maintain the same standard of living.
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