Montreal vs Toronto: which is better to visit

Introduction

Toronto, the largest city in Canada, offers a very atmospheric escape. Rising skyscrapers dot the northwest coast of Lake Ontario in this vibrant city, creating a dream. There are 400 acres of parks to explore, iconic buildings, bustling marketplaces, and top-notch museums to discover on your daily excursion.

On the other hand, Montreal attracts tourists due to its European and American-inspired items. Montreal is a bustling cultural hub with vibrant cuisine, art, and music scenes, in contrast to Quebec City. Although Montreal has several large, readily accessible green areas, its lively neighborhoods, and big-city vibe draw a lot of tourists.

What is better, Toronto or Montreal?

Job Opportunities

Jobs are a major factor in determining where to live, and both Toronto and Montreal have lots to offer in this regard. As Canada's economic hub, Toronto is home to a wide range of sectors, including entertainment, technology, and banking. Bell Media, KPMG, and TD Bank are a few well-known companies. However, Montreal places a lot of emphasis on sectors like aerospace, technology, and culture. Notable examples include Ubisoft, Cirque du Soleil, and Bombardier.

Comparison of job prospects and average salaries

Although there are great employment opportunities in both locations, Toronto often has greater average pay. But for others, Montreal's reduced cost of living could be the deciding factor. It's a tight judgment that mostly relies on your priorities for work and life as well as your professional choice.

Education and Schools

The quality of life is influenced by education to some extent. The robust educational systems in Toronto and Montreal both significantly enhance the feeling of well-being among their citizens.

Toronto's school system is well known for its variety and quality. It is home to several highly regarded primary and secondary schools as well as esteemed colleges including York, Ryerson, and University of Toronto.

Like its rich culture, Montreal has a mostly French-speaking educational system. Nevertheless, this city provides top-notch education that is regarded globally thanks to internationally renowned schools like Université de Montréal and McGill University.

Is Montreal more walkable than Toronto?

Nothing compares to exploring a city on foot, getting a feel for the local way of life, and finding hidden treasures. So which Canadian cities are the best for walking?

Montreal, known as a "pedestrian's paradise," ranks as Canada's second most walkable city. Many roadways that "prioritize foot traffic, including those reserved exclusively for pedestrians, and shared streets where pedestrians have priority" are included in it.\ Not to be overlooked is Toronto, which has a vast network of subterranean walkways connecting its downtown area.

Are things cheaper in Montreal or Toronto?

Living costs are an important factor when determining the quality of life in a city.

Housing Prices and Rental Market Comparison

The property market in Toronto is fierce, and first-time buyers may find it difficult to afford the exorbitant costs. However, Montreal's housing market is more approachable, which makes it the perfect place for anyone who wants to start building a portfolio.

Average Cost of Groceries and Utilities

The cost of groceries and utilities is higher in Toronto. In terms of these essentials, Montreal has more reasonable prices.

Comparison of Other Expenses such as Transportation and Healthcare

Other than that, provincial healthcare programs pay for medical expenditures in both locations. For commuters, Montreal is a more affordable option because of Toronto's higher transit expenditures.

Toronto Highlights

(Credit: Vincent Albos / pexel)

Without a doubt, Toronto is a well-liked city. Yes, it offers amazing nightlife to end your day in the city, but even for those who don't exactly like trekking, there are plenty of tourist attractions to choose from. While there are many interesting sites to see, many travelers visit Toronto primarily for its cuisine, sports, and shopping. If you like outdoor activities, there are many to choose from.

CN Tower

This towering structure is certainly something you've seen in photos. This will probably appear if you search for "Toronto," particularly in pictures of the city's skyline. Then, what is it? That is the iconic CN Tower

In Toronto's downtown is a telecommunication tower. It's the highest freestanding building in the Western Hemisphere, in case you didn't know.

You may take the well-known EdgeWalk if you're eager to let your inner daredevil out! Here, a harness will be placed around you (for your safety, of course), and all you have to do is follow your guide to walk on the edge of the tower.

(Credit: Enrique Hoyos / pexel)

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Near the CN Tower is Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, another fantastic site. You may combine two trip experiences here since it is located right next to the tower. In actuality, tickets are available in packages that include the CN Tower! That is the proximity between them!

Okay, so what are your options now? See just more than 100,000 creatures in one enormous tank! This is a great place for families to vacation.

Traveling alone won't stop you from enjoying this adventure!

In this underwater tunnel, you may see sharks, turtles, and many more stunning animals. Planet Jellies also has captivating jellyfish for you to see.

You may see these stunning but hazardous animals up close as they dance away.

(Credit: Hung Tran/pexel)

Royal Ontario Museum

Located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is a museum dedicated to art, natural history, and global culture. It's the biggest museum in Canada and among the biggest in North America. It is the most visited museum in Canada, drawing in over a million people annually.

The ROM formerly included five main galleries: one for each of the following disciplines: archaeology, geology, mineralogy, paleontology, and zoology. The majority of the museum's exhibits were classified and organized in a static way that hadn't altered much since the Edwardian period.

(Credit: Alizain Hirani/pexel)

Montreal Highlights

Montreal is a thriving cultural center with thriving music, food, and art scenes. While Montreal has several easily accessible, expansive green spaces, many visitors come for its bustling neighborhoods and big-city atmosphere.

Old Montreal

Being the oldest neighborhood in the city and home to the location of Montreal's first settlement in 1642, Old Montreal is well called. While its horse-drawn carriages transport visitors through the labyrinth of sights and its cobblestone walkways shout European charm, Old Montreal's crowds are known for their vibrancy and energy. The many cafés and fashion businesses in the area are packed. People swarm the neighborhood to drink and eat at the numerous contemporary restaurants at night and to stroll, ride, and boat along the stunning waterfront (known as the Old Port) during the day.

(Credit: Céline Chamiot-Poncet /pexel)

Mount Royal

Mount Royal is a peak that is mostly contained inside the same-named park and is situated in the center of downtown Montreal. Mount Royal Park was created by Frederick Law Olmstead, the man behind Central Park in New York. The two famous parks have much in common: they are urban outdoor areas where people congregate, socialize, play sports, and engage in other activities. Ascend to the summit, pay homage to the enormous cross, and take in sweeping views of Montreal.

(Credit: Hardeep Singh/pexel)

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Established in 1860, the museum has the distinction of being Canada's most visited institution, drawing more than a million art enthusiasts annually. It's also an art museum in the widest meaning of the term, including conventional fine arts, music, cinema, fashion, and design. After spending many hours perusing, you could come across an antique glass vase, a Rembrandt picture, and distinctive contemporary furnishings.

(Credit: Anthony Rodriguez/pexel)

Montreal vs Toronto: Which is Better to Visit for Family?

Toronto is certainly better for families and has excellent dining and shopping. Kids are well-served, particularly during the summer months when boats transport guests to Toronto Island Park, which offers snack bars, beaches, and bike rentals. There is a two-acre water play area in the Toronto Zoo.

Although there is a vibrant contemporary city to counterbalance Montreal's historic core, its attraction is mostly for the more cultured traveler. There are a lot of parks and green areas in Montreal, such as Mount Royal Park, which offers breathtaking city views and a range of outdoor activities.

With plenty of things to do, Toronto and Montreal are both well-liked winter travel destinations. It may be chilly in Toronto at times. Wintertime in Montreal may be quite chilly. In the winter, Montreal is much colder than Toronto.

Winter sports aficionados in Toronto may go skiing and snowboarding at neighboring locations like Blue Mountain, or they can ice skate at Nathan Phillips Square. More winter sports may be found in Montreal, such as cross-country skiing on Mount Royal, ice skating in Parc La Fontaine, and the well-known Igloofest, an outdoor electronic music event that takes place in the dead of winter.

Toronto vs Montreal nightlife

Bars and Clubs

There are many things to do in Montreal, a stylish and energetic city with a bustling nightlife. The city is renowned for its wide variety of pubs and clubs, which include classy cocktail lounges and vibrant dance clubs. However, Toronto has a varied nighttime environment that appeals to a broad spectrum of preferences, including both subterranean clubs and upmarket pubs. Both of these cities are often mentioned as having the greatest entertainment and nightlife in Canada.

Live Music Venues

Live music is a mainstay of Montreal's nightlife. From jazz to indie rock, the city is home to several venues that present a diverse range of musical styles. Along with its famous venues like Massey Hall and the Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto is home to a robust live music scene. Both cities provide a wide variety of concert alternatives, whether you like large or small-scale events.

Theater and Cinema

In terms of theater and film, Toronto is home to the renowned Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which draws well-known people from all over the globe who love films. With its diverse cultural past, Montreal is home to many film festivals and theater productions, such as the Montreal World Film Festival. For those wishing to spend a night at the theater or movies, both cities offer plenty of options.

Final thoughts

We have examined several factors that affect both Toronto's and Montreal's quality of life. Every city offers advantages of its own, ranging from the cost of living, culture, and language to employment prospects, safety, and cleanliness.

It's difficult to choose a clear winner after thorough consideration and study. Both Montreal's vibrant culture and Toronto's thriving employment economy are amazing in their own right. What matters most to each person in their day-to-day existence is what ultimately makes a decision. Check out Tripshepherd for a comprehensive selection of fascinating tours to explore Canada!