Public transit in Edmonton vs. Montreal
Public transport in Edmonton
The fully integrated and user-friendly Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) annually provides over 80 million rides. Transit plays a significant role in the city’s development by focusing on service, infrastructure, and technology pillars. Buses and a 20.5 km light rail system facilitate seamless transport inside Edmonton and the surrounding areas.
Fares can be purchased online, by appointment at the Edmonton Service Centre, at the ticket vending machines found in every LRT station, or at sales shops spread out in several convenient places across the city.
Public transit fares in Edmonton
| Type of fare | Rate |
| Single ticket
(90 minutes) |
$2.75 |
| 10 Ticket pack | $27.75 |
| Daily pass | $10.25 |
| Monthly pass | $100 |
| Family Pass (Up to 5 people) | $10.25 |
ETS Edmonton Transit Service (Sept 2023)
The ETS public transit cost of a monthly pass in Edmonton is $100.
Public transport in Montreal
Montreal’s metro (subway) system is clean, secure, and swift. The public transportation is quite simple, with just four lines connecting the downtown area to most places of interest, bus stops, and railway stations. The Société de Transport de Montréal (STM), a public transportation company, runs the transit bus and metro services in Montreal.
All metro stations, some dépanneurs (corner stores), and grocery stores sell tickets. The Opus card is commonly used by Montreal’s commuters. You can purchase this card either at one of the metro stations or one of STM’s offices.
Other transit options include the 747 Shuttle service and BIXI. For a $10 ticket, the 747 shuttle bus will carry you directly from the airport to downtown and vice versa as an extension of the STM bus service. It is one of the most affordable travel options from the airport to downtown.
With more than 500 drop-off locations, BIXI is a bike-share company with more than 6,000 bikes available across the island. You must pay $5.25 for a day pass to rent a BIXI; only credit cards are accepted.
Public transit fares in Montreal
| Type of fare | Rate |
| Single ticket | $3.75 |
| Daily pass | $11.00 |
| Weekly pass | $30.00 |
| Monthly pass | $97.00 |
| 747 Trudeau Airport/Downtown | $11.00 |
Cost of groceries in Edmonton vs. Montreal
The comparison of the cost of groceries in Edmonton and Montreal is illustrated in the table below:
| Groceries costs | Edmonton | Montreal |
| Milk (regular), (1 gallon) | $8.99 | $10.86 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | $2.88 | $3.69 |
| Rice (white) (1 lb) | $1.91 | $1.96 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | $4.15 | $4.28 |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | $6.69 | $7.32 |
| Chicken Filets (1 lb) | $6.95 | $7.28 |
| Beef Round (1 lb) | $9.00 | $7.94 |
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.58 | $1.98 |
| Banana (1 lb) | $0.83 | $0.88 |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.28 | $2.19 |
| Tomato (1 lb) | $2.43 | $2.43 |
| Potato (1 lb) | $1.35 | $1.23 |
| Onion (1 lb) | $1.26 | $1.43 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $3.61 | $3.17 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $16.00 | $18.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $4.13 | $3.69 |
| Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) | $4.80 | $4.31 |
| Average monthly cost of groceries for 1 person | $319.36 per month. | $330.56 per month. |
Numbeo-Edmonton (Sep 2023) & Numbeo-Montreal (Sept 2023)
What to do in Edmonton vs. Montreal
Entertainment in Edmonton
Edmonton is renowned for its attractions, culture, and natural beauty. You will adore the River Valley System if you are more of a nature-loving person. There are many trails in the River Valley. They begin as far east as Northeast Edmonton, travel west through downtown, and terminate in the city’s extreme southwest.
Furthermore, you can enjoy the Edmonton River Valley 90-Minute Segway Adventure and Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Edmonton by Crazy Dash, attend performances at Winspear Centre, or stroll around the botanical gardens of Muttart Conservatory.
The “Festival City” also hosts the biggest live theater event in North America, the biggest blues festival in Western Canada, and the substantial folk music festival Folk Fest, all of which take place outside the summer
Entertainment in Montreal
The city is known for its strong cultural identity and shines on with its artistic side. Montreal is also a haven for foodies. There are over 5,000 restaurants, including hundreds of excellent ones, delivering top-notch taste and presentation at rates that are much more affordable than similar big cities.
Nearly 700 acres of greenery make up Mount Royal Park, a huge park in the city’s heart. It is a terrific place to walk, exercise, laze around, and have a picnic with fantastic city views. The city is home and known for its museums at Place-des-Arts, academic campuses, planetarium, insectarium, and botanical gardens.
You can kayak, canoe, boat, and fish in the city because it is an island surrounded by the Saint Lawrence River. Whitewater rafting and jet boating are available at Lachine Rapids. More than a dozen ski hills, including the amazing Mont-Tremblant, are within less than an hour’s drive to the north or south-east.
Cost of entertainment in Edmonton vs. Montreal
The cost of entertainment is relatively less expensive in Edmonton. A Mid-range restaurant meal costs about $7.50 dollars more in Montreal. In Edmonton, a monthly adult health club membership costs $63.01 compared to only $47.33 in Montreal. In both, a seat in a movie theater showing an international release costs similar.
| Entertainment costs | Edmonton | Montreal |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | $50.00 | $57.50 |
| Taxi 1h | $30.00 | $44.25 |
| 1 cinema ticket | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| Total | $96.00 | $116.75 |
Numbeo-Edmonton (Sep 2023) & Numbeo-Montreal (Sept 2023)
Cost of housing in Edmonton vs. Montreal
Edmonton’s home prices remained largely steady compared to other Canadian housing markets. The average sales price in the Greater Edmonton Area was $374,100, whereas in Montreal, the average home price was $521,600.
According to information from the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers, the median price of a single-family home in Montreal decreased by less than 1% month over month. Since June 2021, prices haven’t decreased for two straight months.
Cost of Housing in Edmonton vs. Montreal
In the tables below, you’ll find two charts that display the average cost of renting an apartment, including two apartment types, and the average home price in Edmonton vs. Vancouver.
Cost of rent in Edmonton vs. Montreal
| Area/Neighborhood | 1-bed apartment | 3-bed apartment |
| Edmonton (Outside of Center) | $1,125.04 | $1,694.15 |
| Montreal (Outside of Center) | $1,221.81 | $1,979.26 |
Numbeo-Edmonton (Sept 2023) & Numbeo-Montreal (Sept 2023)
Cost of buying a property in Edmonton vs. Montreal
| Area/Neighborhood | Average home price |
| Edmonton | $374,100 |
| Montreal | $521,600 |
Job opportunities in Edmonton vs. Montreal
According to Alberta Occupational Outlook, several professions will experience a labor shortage by 2030, including teachers, petroleum engineers, information systems analysts, and consultants. Edmonton’s unemployment rate in May 2022 was 6.2%, a reduction of 0.7% from the previous month.
Popular job markets include agriculture, utilities, construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation, science, healthcare, information & culture, and food services.
There is a severe labor shortage in Montreal. Due to a scarcity of competent personnel, Quebec’s industrial sector has lost $1.8 billion over the last two years. Over the next ten years, there will likely be 1.2 million job openings and a surge in the number of employees moving to Montreal. Computer network technicians, engineers, educators, and programmers are in-demand professions.
Finances.gouv.qc.ca (Jan 2024)
Salary comparison in Edmonton vs. Montreal
The table below presents the comparison of average job salaries in both cities:
| Professions | Average salary in
Edmonton |
Average salary in
Montreal |
| Registered Nurse | $95,992 | $74,880 |
| Software Developers | $81,244.80 | $91,436.80 |
| Electricians | $76,960 | $76,960 |
| Welders | $76,960 | $54,080 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $81,120 | $66,560 |
Government of Canada Job Bank (Nov 2023)
Cost of living in Edmonton vs. Montreal
Average monthly costs to live in Edmonton vs. Montreal
The table below compares the cost of moving to Edmonton and Montreal based on accommodation, groceries, traveling, and utility costs:
| Category | Monthly cost in Edmonton | Monthly cost in Montreal |
| 1 bed apt rent outside city center | $1,125.04 | $1,221.81 |
| Numbeo’s monthly grocery expenses | $319.36 | $330.56 |
| Utilities
Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$294.97 | $110.21 |
| Internet with 60 Mbps | $86.41 | $59.54 |
| Transit pass | $100.00 | $97.00 |
| Entertainment
Meal, taxi, movie |
$96.00 | $116.75 |
| Gym membership | $63.01 | $41.14 |
| Total | $2,084.79 | $1,977.01 |
Numbeo-Edmonton (Sept 2023) & Numbeo-Montreal (Sept 2023)
FAQ – The most frequently asked questions about Edmonton and Montreal
What is the biggest difference between Edmonton and Montreal?
Edmonton is less densely populated than Montreal and offers slightly warmer winters. However, the biggest difference would be the cultural aspect since Montreal is located in the only French-speaking province in Canada, so its culture will heavily reflect that. Montreal has much higher housing costs than Edmonton, but otherwise both have similar living standards.
Where to live in Edmonton?
| Lifestyle | Neighborhood |
| Outdoor recreation | Capilano |
| Families and Students | Parkallen, Secord, Lymburn |
| Accessible | Avonmore, Cameron Heights |
Where to live in Montreal?
| Lifestyle | Neighborhood |
| Outdoor reacreation | Verdun, Anjou |
| Families and Young Couples | LaSalle, Kirkland, Rosemont – La Petite-Patrie |
| Accessible | Lachine |
Is tax cheaper in Edmonton vs. Montreal?
Income tax rates in Edmonton (Alberta)
Applicable tax on the taxable income includes:
- 10% from $0.00 to $142,292 of annual taxable income.
- 12% on the next $142,292.01 up to $170,751.
- 13% on the next $170,751.01 up to $227,668.
- 14% on the next $227,668.01 up to $341,502.
- 15% on the amount over $341,502.01.
Personal Income Tax (Dec 2023)
Income tax rates in Montreal (Quebec)
Applicable tax on the taxable income includes:
- 14% on annual taxable income of $51,780 or less.
- 19% on the next $51,780 up to $103,545.
- 24% on the next $103,545 up to $126,000.
- 25.75% on the amount over $126,000
Federal tax rates in Edmonton vs. Montreal
The federal tax rate is the same in Edmonton and in Montreal. Applicable tax on the annual taxable income includes:
- 15% on annual taxable income from $0.00 to $55,867.
- 20.5% on the annual taxable income from $55,867 up to $111,733.
- 26% on the annual taxable income from $111,733 up to $173,205.
- 29% on the annual taxable income from $173,205 up to $246,752.
- 33% on the annual taxable income over $246,752.
Canada Revenue Agency (Jan 2024)
Sales tax rates in Edmonton vs. Montreal
In Canada, there are three types of sales taxes that vary by province: the federal GST (5%), the provincial sales taxes PST (varies depending on the province), and the HST, which is a combination of the two. In Alberta, there’s the GST only, set at about 5%, which applies to purchases of goods and services. Whereas in Québec, there’s the PST and the GST, which are set at about 5% and 9.975%, respectively, totaling 14.975% and applying to purchases of goods and services
Government of Canada (Sept 2023)
Conclusion
Both Edmonton and Montreal have a wonderful artistic identity and can offer a comfortable life. In Montreal, you can live a quality lifestyle enhanced by its cultural and artistic scene and also have great walkability. Edmonton can be a quieter city and has strong job opportunities. If you are planning to move soon, check out the best moving companies in Edmonton and the best moving companies in Montreal.
