Cost of living in Hamilton

In Hamilton, Canada, living costs about $2154 per month for one person and $4699 for a family of four, including rent.

How expensive is Hamilton compared to other cities?

Overall living costs in Hamilton are 51% more expensive than the European benchmark.

How does Hamilton compare to your city?

Hamilton is 16% more expensive than Columbus, without rent.

Rent in Hamilton is, on average, 0% lower than in Columbus.

What drives the cost of living in Hamilton?

Who is Hamilton a good fit for?

Hamilton is a better match for people who prioritize lifestyle benefits and can afford the premium driven by rent & utilities and transport. For most moderate-income households, housing costs are the main barrier.

FAQ

Why is Hamilton so expensive?

The high cost of living in Hamilton is primarily driven by elevated rent and utility expenses, which significantly impact overall affordability.

Is food expensive in Hamilton?

Food costs in Hamilton are 14% higher than the European benchmark, making grocery shopping a notable expense.

Is public transport affordable in Hamilton?

Public transport in Hamilton is 67% higher than the European benchmark, contributing to the overall living expenses.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
2154 $
Without Rent
790 $
Rent & Utilities
1364 $
Food
545 $
Transport
125 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
2803 $
GDP per Capita
53,372 $
Freedom Index
8.55
Lifespan
81 years
Speak English
82%
Population
569.0K

Do you live in Hamilton? Help us.

Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 14.9 $
Dinner 73.7 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 11.1 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 5.98 $
Capuccino 4.06 $
Coke, 330ml 1.86 $

Compare Hamilton with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.23 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.27 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.19 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.17 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.61 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.7 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 16.9 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.5 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.19 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.79 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.48 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 1.83 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.5 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.26 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.21 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 11.1 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.32 $
Cigarette pack 13.7 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 2.41 $
Monthly Pass 87.2 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.12 $
Taxi, 8 km 14.2 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 46.9 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.19 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 4.38 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.58 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.68 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 113 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 173 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 51.2 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,201 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,912 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,198 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,201 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 17,069 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 4,991 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 2,803 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.69%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 31.4 $
Cinema, 1 seat 12.9 $
Haircut 17.4 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 97.5 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 57.5 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 641 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 22,053 $

Compare Hamilton with other top cities

Cayman Islands
Hamilton vs George Town (George Town is 69% more expensive)
Bahamas
Hamilton vs Nassau (Nassau is 28% more expensive) Hamilton vs Freeport (Freeport is 2% more expensive)
Vanuatu
Hamilton vs Port Vila (Port Vila is 9% more expensive) Hamilton vs Luganville (Luganville is 42% more expensive)
United States
Hamilton vs New York City (New York City is 88% more expensive) Hamilton vs Los Angeles (Los Angeles is 48% more expensive) Hamilton vs Chicago (Chicago is 24% more expensive) Hamilton vs Houston (Houston is 4% more expensive) Hamilton vs Phoenix (Phoenix is 10% more expensive) Hamilton vs Philadelphia (Philadelphia is 18% more expensive) Hamilton vs San Antonio (San Antonio is 2% more expensive) Hamilton vs San Diego (San Diego is 55% more expensive) Hamilton vs Dallas (Dallas is 18% more expensive) Hamilton vs San Jose (San Jose is 71% more expensive)
Canada
Hamilton vs Toronto (Toronto is 20% more expensive) Hamilton vs Montreal (Montreal is 9% less expensive) Hamilton vs Calgary (Calgary is 0% less expensive) Hamilton vs Ottawa (Ottawa is 4% more expensive) Hamilton vs Edmonton (Edmonton is 17% less expensive) Hamilton vs Winnipeg (Winnipeg is 19% less expensive) Hamilton vs Mississauga (Mississauga is 15% more expensive) Hamilton vs Vancouver (Vancouver is 23% more expensive) Hamilton vs Brampton (Brampton is 1% less expensive) Hamilton vs Hamilton (Hamilton has similar costs)
Barbados
Hamilton vs Bridgetown (Bridgetown is 37% less expensive) Hamilton vs Holetown (Holetown is 35% less expensive)
Panama
Hamilton vs Panama City (Panama City is 36% less expensive) Hamilton vs Colon (Colon is 45% less expensive) Hamilton vs Tocumen (Tocumen is 43% less expensive) Hamilton vs Santiago de Veraguas (Santiago de Veraguas is 51% less expensive) Hamilton vs David (David is 61% less expensive) Hamilton vs La Chorrera (La Chorrera is 56% less expensive) Hamilton vs Balboa (Balboa is 42% less expensive) Hamilton vs Pacora (Pacora is 42% less expensive) Hamilton vs Chitre (Chitre is 49% less expensive) Hamilton vs Penonome (Penonome is 49% less expensive)
Saint Kitts And Nevis
Hamilton vs Basseterre (Basseterre is 42% less expensive) Hamilton vs Cayon (Cayon is 42% less expensive)
Cuba
Hamilton vs Havana (Havana is 52% less expensive) Hamilton vs Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba is 34% less expensive) Hamilton vs Holguin (Holguin is 41% less expensive) Hamilton vs Camaguey (Camaguey is 29% less expensive) Hamilton vs Santa Clara (Santa Clara is 51% less expensive) Hamilton vs Bayamo (Bayamo is 46% less expensive) Hamilton vs Guantanamo (Guantanamo is 28% less expensive) Hamilton vs Las Tunas (Las Tunas is 28% less expensive) Hamilton vs Pinar del Rio (Pinar del Rio is 49% less expensive) Hamilton vs Cienfuegos (Cienfuegos is 59% less expensive)
Costa Rica
Hamilton vs San Jose (San Jose is 42% less expensive) Hamilton vs Limon (Limon is 44% less expensive) Hamilton vs Liberia (Liberia is 58% less expensive) Hamilton vs Alajuela (Alajuela is 43% less expensive) Hamilton vs Puntarenas (Puntarenas is 41% less expensive) Hamilton vs Cartago (Cartago is 55% less expensive) Hamilton vs Heredia (Heredia is 42% less expensive) Hamilton vs Tamarindo (Tamarindo is 22% less expensive) Hamilton vs Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa is 39% less expensive)
Saint Lucia
Hamilton vs Castries (Castries is 46% less expensive) Hamilton vs Vieux Fort (Vieux Fort is 44% less expensive)
Jamaica
Hamilton vs Kingston (Kingston is 38% less expensive) Hamilton vs Spanish Town (Spanish Town is 64% less expensive) Hamilton vs Montego Bay (Montego Bay is 53% less expensive) Hamilton vs Half Way Tree (Half Way Tree is 46% less expensive) Hamilton vs May Pen (May Pen is 62% less expensive) Hamilton vs Mandeville (Mandeville is 55% less expensive) Hamilton vs Old Harbour (Old Harbour is 61% less expensive) Hamilton vs Linstead (Linstead is 51% less expensive) Hamilton vs Savanna-la-Mar (Savanna-la-Mar is 48% less expensive) Hamilton vs Port Antonio (Port Antonio is 47% less expensive)
El Salvador
Hamilton vs San Salvador (San Salvador is 45% less expensive) Hamilton vs Santa Ana (Santa Ana is 67% less expensive) Hamilton vs Soyapango (Soyapango is 46% less expensive) Hamilton vs San Miguel (San Miguel is 50% less expensive) Hamilton vs Mejicanos (Mejicanos is 46% less expensive) Hamilton vs Apopa (Apopa is 47% less expensive) Hamilton vs Santa Tecla (Santa Tecla is 44% less expensive) Hamilton vs Ahuachapan (Ahuachapan is 32% less expensive) Hamilton vs Usulutan (Usulutan is 49% less expensive) Hamilton vs Sonsonate (Sonsonate is 59% less expensive)
Antigua And Barbuda
Hamilton vs St. John's (St. John's is 50% less expensive) Hamilton vs All Saints (All Saints is 50% less expensive)
Grenada
Hamilton vs St. George's (St. George's is 51% less expensive) Hamilton vs Grenville (Grenville is 51% less expensive)
Dominica
Hamilton vs Roseau (Roseau is 53% less expensive) Hamilton vs Portsmouth (Portsmouth is 47% less expensive)
Saint Vincent
Hamilton vs Kingstown (Kingstown is 54% less expensive) Hamilton vs Georgetown (Georgetown is 53% less expensive)
Belize
Hamilton vs Belize City (Belize City is 59% less expensive) Hamilton vs San Ignacio (San Ignacio is 49% less expensive) Hamilton vs Belmopan (Belmopan is 66% less expensive) Hamilton vs San Pedro Town (San Pedro Town is 38% less expensive) Hamilton vs Caye Caulker (Caye Caulker is 27% less expensive)
Guatemala
Hamilton vs Guatemala City (Guatemala City is 53% less expensive) Hamilton vs Mixco (Mixco is 70% less expensive) Hamilton vs Coban (Coban is 58% less expensive) Hamilton vs Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango is 64% less expensive) Hamilton vs Jalapa (Jalapa is 58% less expensive) Hamilton vs San Miguel Petapa (San Miguel Petapa is 58% less expensive) Hamilton vs Momostenango (Momostenango is 60% less expensive) Hamilton vs Mazatenango (Mazatenango is 60% less expensive) Hamilton vs Flores (Flores is 60% less expensive) Hamilton vs Panajachel (Panajachel is 63% less expensive)
Honduras
Hamilton vs Tegucigalpa (Tegucigalpa is 62% less expensive) Hamilton vs San Pedro Sula (San Pedro Sula is 52% less expensive) Hamilton vs Choloma (Choloma is 72% less expensive) Hamilton vs La Ceiba (La Ceiba is 70% less expensive) Hamilton vs El Progreso (El Progreso is 59% less expensive) Hamilton vs Villanueva (Villanueva is 60% less expensive) Hamilton vs Comayagua (Comayagua is 67% less expensive) Hamilton vs Puerto Cortes (Puerto Cortes is 67% less expensive) Hamilton vs Yoro (Yoro is 66% less expensive) Hamilton vs La Lima (La Lima is 60% less expensive)
Dominican Republic
Hamilton vs Santiago de los Caballeros (Santiago de los Caballeros is 63% less expensive) Hamilton vs Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo is 51% less expensive) Hamilton vs Puerto Plata (Puerto Plata is 64% less expensive) Hamilton vs Higuey (Higuey is 64% less expensive) Hamilton vs La Vega (La Vega is 73% less expensive) Hamilton vs San Cristobal (San Cristobal is 61% less expensive) Hamilton vs San Pedro de Macoris (San Pedro de Macoris is 66% less expensive) Hamilton vs San Francisco de Macoris (San Francisco de Macoris is 76% less expensive) Hamilton vs San Juan de la Maguana (San Juan de la Maguana is 71% less expensive) Hamilton vs Bonao (Bonao is 75% less expensive)
Nicaragua
Hamilton vs Managua (Managua is 64% less expensive) Hamilton vs Leon (Leon is 70% less expensive) Hamilton vs Masaya (Masaya is 67% less expensive) Hamilton vs Matagalpa (Matagalpa is 74% less expensive) Hamilton vs Chinandega (Chinandega is 70% less expensive) Hamilton vs Esteli (Esteli is 72% less expensive) Hamilton vs Granada (Granada is 68% less expensive) Hamilton vs Jinotega (Jinotega is 79% less expensive) Hamilton vs Juigalpa (Juigalpa is 69% less expensive) Hamilton vs San Juan del Sur (San Juan del Sur is 59% less expensive)