Moving from Montréal to Boston
Historic, walkable city of universities, biotech and seafood. Here's how life in Boston compares with Montréal, and what changes when you cross the border.
Boston is roughly 8°C warmer than Montréal in January (about -9°C → -1°C), with about 80 cm less snow a year. A typical home costs roughly 74% more in Boston (about C$600,000 vs US$760,000, compared at a sample exchange rate), and everyday costs in Boston are above the US average. Income tax goes from a high provincial income tax in Québec to a medium state income tax in Massachusetts. For lifestyle, you gain beach and leave behind French-speaking, live music and lower cost. (Approximate figures.)
- January average
- -9°C → -1°C (+8°)
- July average
- 21°C → 23°C (+2°)
- Sunny days a year
- 200 → 200
- Snow a year
- 200 → 120 cm
- Cost of living index
- 95 → 145
- Typical home
- C$600,000 → US$760,000
- Property tax rate
- 0.8% → 0.6%
- Provincial or state income tax
- High → Medium
- Health care in Boston
- Private, ~US$520/mo (approx.)
- Airport
- 15 min
- Ski hill
- 45 min
- Beach or lake
- 20 min
- Main industries
- Biotech, education, health
Moving from Canada to the USA
- Staying vs. moving
- Mortgages
- Taxes
- Health care
Climate, cost and risk figures are approximate and for comparison only. Prices are in each place's local currency.