Salary Comparison

Security Engineer Salary:
Toronto vs Montreal

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

Toronto
$151,781
/ year
+17%
difference
Montreal
$129,874
/ 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
$151,781โœ“ higher
$129,874
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$98,156โœ“ higher
$83,989
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$234,702โœ“ higher
$200,827
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$94,104โœ“ higher
$88,314
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,425
$123,690โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—
1.05ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$133,492โœ“ higher
$114,225
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$319,195โœ“ higher
$273,125

What if you move from Toronto to Montreal?

Gross salary change
$21,907
17% decrease
Take-home change
$5,790
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,265
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$151,781
P10: $133,492Median: $151,781P90: $319,195
Montreal$129,874
P10: $114,225Median: $129,874P90: $273,125

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Security Engineer salary in Toronto is CA$206,422/yr compared to CA$176,629/yr in Montreal. Toronto pays 17% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Security 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 $121,425/yr in a median-cost city, vs $123,690/yr for Montreal. Montreal offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Toronto takes home approximately $94,104/yr, vs $88,314/yr in Montreal. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.