City Comparison
Montreal vs Elko
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Montreal scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Montreal
Elko
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Montreal is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Elko.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montreal's average rent is
24% higher than Elko's.
| Metric | Montreal | Elko | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,351 | $1,087 | +24% |
| Groceries | $356 | $415 | -14% |
| Utilities | $107 | $267 | -60% |
| Transport | $100 | $150 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $71 | $200 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $2,119 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 63 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elko offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Montreal delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montreal is estimated at
$42,780 vs $43,476 in Elko.
| Metric | Montreal | Elko |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,475 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,780 | $43,476 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,881 idx | 68,571 idx |
| Household Income | $45,335 | $79,036 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Elko runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Elko comes out ahead with 314 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Elko sees 34.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Montreal | Elko |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 53.20°F |
| Summer High | °F | 86.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 27.20°F |
| Rainfall | in | 11.00 in |
| Snowfall | in | 34.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 314 | |
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Elko has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Montreal.
Montreal scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Montreal leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Montreal | Elko |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 77.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 87.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 39.78 | |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montreal is the larger city
— approximately 91.1x the population of Elko.
From a growth perspective, Montreal is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Elko has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Montreal | Elko |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,945,359 | 21,357 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.30% | 0.66% |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montreal
Advantages
Montreal boasts a vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals and events year-round, including the Just For Laughs Festival and the Montreal Fireworks Festival.
The city is highly walkable (Walk Score 87) and offers excellent public transportation (Transit Score 77), reducing the need for a car.
Montreal is North America's most bike-friendly city, with over 1,065 kilometers of bike lanes and paths.
The cost of living in Montreal is generally more affordable than in other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
Montreal's economy is diverse and resilient, with strong growth in sectors like aerospace, information technology, and digital media.
Drawbacks
Crimes against persons and hate crimes increased in Montreal in 2024.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, with Montreal ranking among the most congested cities globally.
While overall rent is more affordable than some major cities, average rent prices have been consistently increasing.
The unemployment rate, while showing recent declines, climbed to 7.8% in 2024 before improving to 6.8% by December 2025.
The average commute time in Montreal is 29 minutes, which is among the highest in Canadian metro areas.
Elko
Advantages
Elko County had a low unemployment rate of 2.8% in August 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The city boasts a rich cultural scene, hosting events like the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and the National Basque Festival.
The median days on market for homes was 26 days in September 2026, down significantly year-over-year, suggesting properties move quickly.
Elko's average commute time is relatively short, estimated at 20 minutes.
The safety index for Elko was 76 in 2026, indicating a generally safe environment.
Drawbacks
Median rent prices in Elko saw a substantial year-over-year increase of 97.75% to $2,373 per month in September 2026.
Elko is considered a car-dependent city with limited public transit options.
The cost of living in Elko is higher than 71% of cities in North America as of September 2026.
The housing market was a buyer's market in September 2026, with homes selling for approximately the asking price on average, but with a supply greater than demand.
Specific data on advanced healthcare services and specialized medical costs for Elko are not readily available.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Montreal
#11Quebec, Canada
71.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,351
Avg Salary
$53,475
Cost Index
63
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
77.0/100
Walkability
87.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.30%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
85
Business
75
Elko
#167Nevada, USA
64.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,087
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
314/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.66%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
72
Business
70
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