Salary Comparison

Data Engineer Salary:
Toronto vs Montreal

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Toronto
$134,230
/ year
+18%
difference
Montreal
$113,527
/ year
Bottom line: Montreal offers better purchasing power despite Toronto paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Toronto
Montreal
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$134,230โœ“ higher
$113,527
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$86,806โœ“ higher
$73,417
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$207,563โœ“ higher
$175,549
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$91,276โœ“ higher
$77,198
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$107,384
$108,121โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—
1.05ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$118,056โœ“ higher
$99,847
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$282,286โœ“ higher
$238,747

What if you move from Toronto to Montreal?

Gross salary change
$20,703
18% decrease
Take-home change
$14,078
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$737
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Toronto$134,230
P10: $118,056Median: $134,230P90: $282,286
Montreal$113,527
P10: $99,847Median: $113,527P90: $238,747

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Engineer earn more in Toronto or Montreal?

The median Data Engineer salary in Toronto is CA$182,553/yr compared to CA$154,397/yr in Montreal. Toronto pays 18% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Engineer salary worth more in Toronto or Montreal after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Toronto salary has the purchasing power of $107,384/yr in a median-cost city, vs $108,121/yr for Montreal. Montreal offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Engineer in Toronto vs Montreal?

After estimated taxes, a Data Engineer in Toronto takes home approximately $91,276/yr, vs $77,198/yr in Montreal. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.