Montréal vs Calgary
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Montréal leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Calgary where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Calgary's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Montréal | Calgary |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 57 | 59 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 43 | 44 |
| Climate | 65 | 65 |
| Safety | 64 | 68 |
| Summer °C | 21.2 | 16.2 |
| Winter °C | -10.0 | -9.8 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | extreme cold / winter |
Montréal vs Calgary: the short answer
Calgary comes out ahead on overall livability (59/100), only marginally above Montréal (57/100). The two cities diverge most on natural-disaster exposure. On affordability Calgary is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Montréal 43 vs Calgary 44, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Montréal runs warmer in summer (about 21.2°C peak vs 16.2°C in Calgary), while winter lows sit near -10.0°C in Montréal and -9.8°C in Calgary. On natural-disaster exposure Calgary is the safer choice (safety 68/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Montréal and extreme cold / winter for Calgary.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Calgary — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Montréal — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Calgary — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Calgary — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Montréal or Calgary better to live in?
Calgary scores higher overall — 59 vs 57 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Montréal or Calgary?
Calgary has the lower cost of living (cost index 44 vs 43; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Montréal or Calgary?
Montréal — summer highs reach about 21.2°C versus 16.2°C in Calgary.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Montréal or Calgary?
Calgary (disaster-safety 68/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Montréal, extreme cold / winter in Calgary.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Montréal?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Montréal on our risk index.
How is the Montréal vs Calgary comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.