Istanbul vs Montreal: cost of living for digital nomads
Istanbul, Turkey 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
- Istanbul is about 44% cheaper than Montreal for a month of nomad living ($1,400 vs $2,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $650 in Istanbul against $1,200 in Montreal.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Montreal: 250 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Istanbul is mediterranean; Montreal is continental.
Istanbul wins 5 of the measured lines; Montreal wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Istanbul or Montreal?
Istanbul is cheaper: about $1,400/month against $2,500/month in Montreal, roughly 44% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Istanbul or Montreal?
Istanbul and Montreal score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Istanbul or Montreal?
Montreal has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Istanbul.
| Line | Istanbul | Montreal |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,400 | $2,500 |
| Rent | $650 | $1,200 |
| Food | $380 | $560 |
| Transport | $45 | $80 |
| Coworking | $110 | $170 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 60 | 250 |
| Climate | mediterranean | continental |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Istanbul with
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): Istanbul November 1, 2026, Montreal September 11, 2026.