Cost of living in Hamilton

In Hamilton, New Zealand, living costs about $1671 per month for one person and $4007 for a family of four, including rent.

How expensive is Hamilton compared to other cities?

Compared to the European benchmark, Hamilton is 52% more expensive overall.

How does Hamilton compare to your city?

Hamilton is 6% more expensive than Columbus, without rent.

Rent in Hamilton is, on average, 30% lower than in Columbus.

What drives the cost of living in Hamilton?

Who is Hamilton a good fit for?

Hamilton tends to fit higher-income residents who can comfortably absorb housing costs. It can be challenging on a moderate budget, mainly due to rent and utilities.

FAQ

Why is Hamilton so expensive?

The primary driver of Hamilton's high cost of living is rent and utilities, which significantly impact overall expenses.

Is food expensive in Hamilton?

Yes, food prices in Hamilton are 42% higher than the European benchmark.

Is public transport affordable in Hamilton?

Public transport costs in Hamilton are 23% higher than the European benchmark.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
1671 $
Without Rent
719 $
Rent & Utilities
952 $
Food
530 $
Transport
75 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3061 $
GDP per Capita
48,528 $
Freedom Index
8.88
Lifespan
83 years
Speak English
98%
Population
177.0K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 14.5 $
Dinner 81.6 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 8.89 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 6.34 $
Capuccino 3.55 $
Coke, 330ml 2.33 $

Compare Hamilton with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.9 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.72 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.06 $
Eggs, 12 pack 5.89 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 7.33 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.53 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.8 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.99 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.3 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.12 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.48 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.36 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 1.99 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.74 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.33 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 12.6 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.17 $
Cigarette pack 25.5 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 1.56 $
Monthly Pass 59.5 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.74 $
Taxi, 8 km 20.3 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 29.1 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.16 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 3.28 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.91 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.31 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 64 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 99 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 52 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 815 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,536 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 922 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,632 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 5,766 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 5,001 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,061 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.84%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 36 $
Cinema, 1 seat 14.4 $
Haircut 13.5 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 98.3 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 69.5 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 888 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 15,283 $

Compare Hamilton with other top cities

Australia
Hamilton vs Melbourne (Melbourne is 43% more expensive) Hamilton vs Sydney (Sydney is 68% more expensive) Hamilton vs Brisbane (Brisbane is 49% more expensive) Hamilton vs Perth (Perth is 40% more expensive) Hamilton vs Adelaide (Adelaide is 34% more expensive) Hamilton vs Gold Coast (Gold Coast is 38% more expensive) Hamilton vs Canberra (Canberra is 43% more expensive) Hamilton vs Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast is 4% more expensive) Hamilton vs Wollongong (Wollongong is 8% less expensive) Hamilton vs Ipswich (Ipswich is 12% more expensive)
New Zealand
Hamilton vs Auckland (Auckland is 32% more expensive) Hamilton vs Christchurch (Christchurch is 19% more expensive) Hamilton vs Manukau (Manukau is 16% more expensive) Hamilton vs Wellington (Wellington is 34% more expensive) Hamilton vs Hamilton (Hamilton has similar costs) Hamilton vs Tauranga (Tauranga is 7% more expensive) Hamilton vs Dunedin (Dunedin is 12% less expensive) Hamilton vs Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt is 12% more expensive) Hamilton vs Palmerston North (Palmerston North is 21% less expensive) Hamilton vs Napier (Napier is 16% less expensive)
Marshall Islands
Hamilton vs Majuro (Majuro is 9% less expensive) Hamilton vs Djarrit (Djarrit is 9% less expensive)
Solomon Islands
Hamilton vs Honiara (Honiara is 13% less expensive) Hamilton vs Auki (Auki is 12% less expensive)
Palau
Hamilton vs Melekeok (Melekeok is 30% less expensive) Hamilton vs Ngerulmud (Ngerulmud is 30% less expensive)
Tonga
Hamilton vs Nukualofa (Nukualofa is 42% less expensive) Hamilton vs Mua (Mua is 42% less expensive)
Fiji
Hamilton vs Suva (Suva is 45% less expensive) Hamilton vs Nasinu (Nasinu is 46% less expensive) Hamilton vs Nadi (Nadi is 46% less expensive) Hamilton vs Lautoka (Lautoka is 64% less expensive)
Samoa
Hamilton vs Manase (Manase is 60% less expensive) Hamilton vs Apia (Apia is 60% less expensive)
Nauru
Hamilton vs Yaren (Yaren is 62% less expensive)
Tuvalu
Hamilton vs Funafuti (Funafuti is 64% less expensive) Hamilton vs Vaiaku (Vaiaku is 64% less expensive)
Papua New Guinea
Hamilton vs Port Moresby (Port Moresby is 67% less expensive) Hamilton vs Lae (Lae is 68% less expensive)
Kiribati
Hamilton vs South Tarawa (South Tarawa is 69% less expensive) Hamilton vs London (London is 69% less expensive)