Cost of Living in Hamilton

Summary of cost of living in Hamilton, Canada:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 3,664.3$ (5,021.0C$), excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,004.5$ (1,376.4C$), excluding rent.
  • Hamilton is 40.5% less expensive than New York (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in Hamilton is, on average, 69.8% lower than in New York.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant 25.00 C$ 18.00-35.02
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) 100.00 C$ 75.00-150.00
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) 17.00 C$ 15.00-20.00
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) 7.00 C$ 5.00-9.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 9.00 C$ 8.00-14.01
Cappuccino (Regular Size) 5.34 C$ 2.50-8.00
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) 2.97 C$ 2.50-4.00
Bottled Water (12 oz) 2.35 C$ 2.00-3.00
Markets
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Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) 3.04 C$ 1.50-5.20
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) 2.73 C$ 1.81-4.07
White Rice (1 lb) 1.80 C$ 0.95-3.62
Eggs (12, Large Size) 4.75 C$ 3.29-6.00
Local Cheese (1 lb) 4.72 C$ 2.27-12.47
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 6.51 C$ 3.18-11.34
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) 8.66 C$ 3.99-12.99
Apples (1 lb) 2.41 C$ 0.72-4.08
Bananas (1 lb) 0.79 C$ 0.70-0.99
Oranges (1 lb) 2.67 C$ 1.81-3.63
Tomatoes (1 lb) 2.47 C$ 1.29-3.99
Potatoes (1 lb) 1.64 C$ 0.40-2.27
Onions (1 lb) 1.08 C$ 0.89-1.88
Lettuce (1 Head) 3.17 C$ 1.00-4.00
Bottled Water (50 oz) 2.07 C$ 0.99-3.69
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 18.00 C$ 8.50-20.00
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) 3.33 C$ 2.25-5.00
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 5.68 C$ 3.00-9.00
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) 19.75 C$ 15.00-25.00
Transportation
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One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) 3.75 C$ 2.80-4.00
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) 120.00 C$ 80.00-150.00
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) 4.90 C$ 4.90-4.90
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) 2.90 C$ 2.90-2.90
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) 32.72 C$ 32.72-37.70
Gasoline (1 Liter) 1.51 C$ 1.29-1.75
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) 39,580.00 C$ 39,580.00-39,580.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) 27,310.83 C$ 25,160.00-32,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) 206.40 C$ 141.67-300.00
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) 51.25 C$ 30.00-90.00
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) 71.13 C$ 60.00-100.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership 58.17 C$ 20.00-80.00
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) 30.00 C$ 20.00-40.00
Cinema Ticket (International Release) 14.75 C$ 13.00-18.00
Childcare
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Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child 863.75 C$ 500.00-2,500.00
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child 23,308.33 C$ 14,850.00-27,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
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Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) 68.33 C$ 30.00-100.00
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) 48.00 C$ 25.00-85.00
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 122.50 C$ 100.00-140.00
Men's Leather Business Shoes 169.17 C$ 140.00-200.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 1,755.29 C$ 1,350.00-2,000.00
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 1,711.85 C$ 1,416.00-2,000.00
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 2,971.11 C$ 2,700.00-3,500.00
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 2,652.78 C$ 2,425.00-3,000.00
Buy Apartment Price
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Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 358.00 C$ 358.00-507.92
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 358.00 C$ 358.00-358.00
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 3,870.80 C$
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 4.60 4.45-4.70

Prices in Hamilton

This city had 197 entries in the past 12 months by 24 different contributors.
Last update: 21 March 2026
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Hamilton? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Hamilton.
  
  
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2 Comments so far
Eric on Oct 13, 2022:
From Michigan. The cost of living in Hamilton is about on par with the cost of living in Ann Arbor.
Stephanie on Oct 27, 2020:
I have a family of 11 and coming from NY (upstate, not the city). It seems cost of living is high in Hamilton. Are there surrounding towns that would be more affordable?