Edinburgh vs Montreal: cost of living for digital nomads
Edinburgh, United Kingdom and Montreal, Canada, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Montreal is about 2% cheaper than Edinburgh for a month of nomad living ($2,500 vs $2,560).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,200 in Montreal against $1,250 in Edinburgh.
- Edinburgh scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Montreal: 250 Mbps typical against 200 Mbps.
- Edinburgh is temperate; Montreal is continental.
Edinburgh wins 1 of the measured lines; Montreal wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Edinburgh or Montreal?
Montreal is cheaper: about $2,500/month against $2,560/month in Edinburgh, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Edinburgh or Montreal?
Edinburgh scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Montreal.
Which has faster internet, Edinburgh or Montreal?
Montreal has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 200 Mbps in Edinburgh.
| Line | Edinburgh | Montreal |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,560 | $2,500 |
| Rent | $1,250 | $1,200 |
| Food | $560 | $560 |
| Transport | $100 | $80 |
| Coworking | $170 | $170 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 250 |
| Climate | temperate | continental |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Edinburgh September 11, 2026, Montreal September 11, 2026.