Montreal or Calgary: Complete Guide for Exchange Students in 2025

Are you wondering whether to travel to Montreal or Calgary for your Canadian exchange? Choosing the right city can completely transform your international experience, impacting everything from your monthly budget to your career opportunities and quality of life.

Each of these Canadian metropolises offers unique advantages for exchange students. Montreal enchants with its cultural diversity and more affordable costs, while Calgary impresses with its economic dynamism and proximity to nature. We will analyze all the essential aspects for you to make the best decision.

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Profile of the two cities: general context

Montreal: the bilingual metropolis

Montreal, with approximately 4.6 million inhabitants, is the second largest city in Canada and a true cultural melting pot. The city combines European charm with North American practicality, offering a unique bilingual immersion experience in French and English.

The Quebec metropolis stands out for its rich cultural life, with festivals throughout the year, world-class museums, and a vibrant food scene. For exchange students interested in Public College in Canada, Montreal offers excellent internationally recognized educational institutions.

Calgary: the gateway to the Rocky Mountains

Calgary, with about 1.6 million inhabitants, is known as Canada's energy hub. Located just an hour from the majestic Rockies, the city offers a perfect balance between urban opportunities and access to lush nature.

The city stands out for its thriving economy, especially in the energy, technology, and financial services sectors. For students who are looking Private College in Canada - Co-op, Calgary presents excellent internship and professional networking opportunities.

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Detailed comparison: main indicators

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Detailed cost of living analysis

Montreal: financial affordability

Montreal offers a considerably lower cost of living, being 12% cheaper than Calgary overall. While the rent is higher, other essential costs make up for this difference.

Typical monthly expenses in Montreal:

• Rent (shared room): CAD $600-850
• Food: CAD $300-400
• Public transportation: CAD $57 (student pass)
• Entertainment: CAD $150-200
• Other expenses: CAD $100-150

Calgary: thriving economy with high costs

Calgary has more affordable rent but higher overall costs for food, transportation, and services. The city compensates with higher salaries and lower competition for jobs.

Typical monthly expenses in Calgary:

• Rent (shared room): CAD $500-750
• Food: CAD $350-450
• Public transportation: CAD $106 (monthly pass)
• Entertainment: CAD $200-280
• Other expenses: CAD $120-180

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Academic and professional opportunities

Montreal: educational diversity

Montreal is home to world-renowned academic institutions, offering a wide range of programs in English and French. The city is ideal for those seeking Learning a language abroad, providing natural immersion in a bilingual environment.

Montreal's academic advantages:

• Wider range of universities and colleges
• Unique bilingual programs
• Strong research and development sector
• Diverse international student community
• Opportunities in Arts, Media, and Technology

Calgary: focus on business and energy

Calgary stands out for its connections to the energy and business industry, offering excellent opportunities for practical programs and paid internships.

Calgary's academic advantages:

• Strong connection with the energy sector
• Programs focused on business and technology
• Lower competition among students
• Proximity to innovation centers
• Opportunities in renewable energy

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Job market for exchange students

Montreal: diversified sectors

Montreal's economy is diverse, with opportunities in multiple sectors. The 8.1% unemployment rate reflects an economy in transition, but with many opportunities for qualified students.

Main sectors in Montreal:

• Aerospace (Bombardier, CAE)
• Information Technology
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Arts and entertainment
• Financial Services

Calgary: robust economy

Calgary has a lower unemployment rate (5.5%) and generally higher salaries, especially in specialized sectors. The city offers excellent opportunities for University abroad with a focus on business and engineering.

Main sectors in Calgary:

• Energy (oil, natural gas)
• Emerging Technology
• Corporate financial services
• Logistics and transportation
• Business consultancy

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Climate and quality of life

Montreal: four well-defined seasons

Montreal offers a complete climate experience, with cold, snowy winters (-10°C to -25°C) and hot, humid summers (20°C to 30°C). The city has approximately 2,050 hours of sunshine per year.

Climatic characteristics:

• Long winters with abundant snow
• Warm and pleasant summers
• Well-defined spring and autumn
• Diversified seasonal activities

Calgary: sun and proximity to nature

Calgary enjoys more sunny days (333 days a year) and less humid winters, although still cold (-15°C to -30°C). The proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides easy access to outdoor activities.

Climatic characteristics:

• More hours of sunshine during the year
• Colder drier winters
• Mild and comfortable summers
• Easy access to skis and trails

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Cultural and social life

Montreal: cultural effervescence

Montreal is recognized worldwide for its rich cultural life, with more than 100 annual festivals, including the International Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs. The city offers a vibrant nightlife scene and diverse cuisine.

Calgary: tradition and modernity

Calgary combines Western Canadian tradition with urban modernity. The famous Calgary Stampede is just one of the city's many cultural attractions, which also offers museums, theaters, and a growing food scene.

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Which city to choose: decisive factors

Choose Montreal if you:

• Search for lower cost of living
• Want bilingual (French-English) experience
• Values cultural diversity and nightlife
• Prefers a wider range of educational institutions
• Do you like snowy winters and seasonal activities?

Choose Calgary if you:

• Prefers sunnier weather
• Seek less competition in the labor market
• Do you want proximity to nature (mountains)
• Are you interested in the energy or business sector
• Value a more robust economy

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Transportation and infrastructure

Montreal: exemplary transportation system

Montreal has one of the best public transportation systems in Canada, with an efficient subway (STM) and comprehensive bus network. The monthly student pass costs just CAD $57, offering excellent value for money.

Calgary: booming transportation

Calgary has invested significantly in its transportation system, including the CTrain (urban train) and bus network. The monthly pass costs CAD $106, but the city is more compact, making it easier to travel.

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Be Easy

Na Be Easy, we understand that choosing between Montreal and Calgary is an important decision that will shape your entire experience in Canada. Our experienced team offers personalized consulting to help you identify which city best aligns with your academic, professional, and personal goals. Contact us today and discover how we can transform your exchange dream in Canada into an unforgettable and successful experience!

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