Philadelphia vs Montreal
Montreal comes out ahead overall, winning 3 of 7 criteria.
Summary
Montreal edges out Philadelphia overall (6.7 vs 6.4), but the margin is thin enough that a single strong priority — like safety — could reasonably flip your personal decision the other way.
Quick answers
Safety: Montreal (7/10 vs 5/10).
Climate: Philadelphia (5/10 vs 3/10).
Overall, Montreal scores higher (6.7/10 vs 6.4/10) across all seven criteria combined.
Cost of living: Philadelphia and Montreal tie on this (6/10 each).
Montreal — Montreal scores higher once we weight toward households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air (6.2 vs 6.8 for Philadelphia vs Montreal), driven largely by safety.
Philadelphia and Montreal are a close call for remote work based on internet and cost of living.
Where each city wins
- +Climate: notably better than Montreal (5.0 vs 3.0)
- +Safety: notably better than Philadelphia (7.0 vs 5.0)
- +Environment & air quality: slightly better than Philadelphia (7.0 vs 6.0)
- +Healthcare: slightly better than Philadelphia (8.0 vs 7.0)
Which city fits your profile?
Montreal comes out ahead for nearly every profile we tested — freelancer, young family, budget-conscious mover, safety-first mover, retiree and student, among others — winning 9 of 10 weighted comparisons against Philadelphia. There's no profile in our set where Philadelphia pulls ahead.
See the full breakdown by profile
Philadelphia and Montreal score within a rounding error of each other for remote workers who need fast internet and an affordable, pleasant base, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Montreal scores higher once we weight toward independent workers balancing cost of living against healthcare access (6.4 vs 6.7 for Philadelphia vs Montreal), driven largely by cost of living.
Montreal scores higher once we weight toward households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air (6.2 vs 6.8 for Philadelphia vs Montreal), driven largely by safety.
Montreal scores higher once we weight toward movers for whom affordability outweighs every other factor (6.4 vs 6.6 for Philadelphia vs Montreal), driven largely by cost of living.
Montreal scores higher once we weight toward people relocating somewhere unfamiliar who weigh personal safety above all (6.1 vs 6.8 for Philadelphia vs Montreal), driven largely by safety.
Montreal scores higher once we weight toward retirees prioritizing healthcare, climate and a calm environment over nightlife or internet speed (6.1 vs 6.3 for Philadelphia vs Montreal), driven largely by climate.
Montreal scores higher once we weight toward students who need affordability, transit and a lively social scene (6.5 vs 6.8 for Philadelphia vs Montreal), driven largely by cost of living.
Montreal scores higher once we weight toward expatriates relocating for work who lean on safety, healthcare and internet to stay settled and connected (6.5 vs 7.1 for Philadelphia vs Montreal), driven largely by safety.
Montreal scores higher once we weight toward founders and small business owners who need reliable connectivity and a livable base without big-city costs (6.6 vs 6.8 for Philadelphia vs Montreal), driven largely by internet & connectivity.
Montreal scores higher once we weight toward early-career movers who want nightlife and transit within budget, without yet prioritizing healthcare or climate (6.6 vs 6.8 for Philadelphia vs Montreal), driven largely by cost of living.
Which city should you choose?
Pick Montreal instead if you're more of a freelancer, young family, or budget-conscious mover.