Montreal vs Wellington: cost of living for digital nomads
Montreal, Canada and Wellington, New Zealand, 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 Wellington for a month of nomad living ($2,500 vs $2,550).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,200 in Montreal against $1,250 in Wellington.
- Wellington scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Montreal: 250 Mbps typical against 220 Mbps.
- Montreal is continental; Wellington is temperate.
Montreal wins 5 of the measured lines; Wellington wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Montreal or Wellington?
Montreal is cheaper: about $2,500/month against $2,550/month in Wellington, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Montreal or Wellington?
Wellington scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 7/10 for Montreal.
Which has faster internet, Montreal or Wellington?
Montreal has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 220 Mbps in Wellington.
| Line | Montreal | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,500 | $2,550 |
| Rent | $1,200 | $1,250 |
| Food | $560 | $570 |
| Transport | $80 | $70 |
| Coworking | $170 | $170 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 220 |
| Climate | continental | temperate |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
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): Montreal September 11, 2026, Wellington September 11, 2026.