Cost of Living in Hamilton

Summary of cost of living in Hamilton, Canada:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $3,553.0 (C$5,017.5), excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $976.6 (C$1,379.1), excluding rent.
  • Hamilton is 18.1% less expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in Hamilton is, on average, 7.9% lower than in Columbus.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $17.70 14.16-24.78
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $67.27 53.11-99.14
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $12.04 10.62-14.16
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) $5.13 3.54-6.37
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $6.20 4.96-7.79
Cappuccino (Regular Size) $3.48 1.77-4.96
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) $2.20 1.77-2.83
Bottled Water (12 oz) $1.66 1.42-2.12
Markets
Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.95 1.06-3.78
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) $1.89 1.27-2.88
White Rice (1 lb) $1.40 0.80-3.21
Eggs (12, Large Size) $3.29 2.33-4.82
Local Cheese (1 lb) $3.63 1.93-8.83
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) $5.12 2.25-6.42
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) $6.61 3.53-8.99
Apples (1 lb) $1.79 0.51-2.25
Bananas (1 lb) $0.59 0.50-0.70
Oranges (1 lb) $1.81 1.28-2.57
Tomatoes (1 lb) $1.72 0.91-2.83
Potatoes (1 lb) $1.21 0.64-1.93
Onions (1 lb) $0.89 0.63-1.61
Lettuce (1 Head) $2.01 0.71-2.83
Bottled Water (50 oz) $1.31 0.70-2.83
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $14.16 6.02-17.70
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) $2.62 1.70-3.54
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $3.93 2.12-7.08
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $12.39 10.62-17.70
Transportation
Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $2.57 1.95-2.83
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $86.11 56.65-88.80
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $3.47 3.47-3.47
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) $2.05 2.05-2.05
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $23.17 23.17-26.70
Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.19 0.92-1.28
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $26,200.89 26,200.89-28,027.87
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $21,819.80 20,252.58-23,226.73
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $153.05 113.38-212.44
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $41.87 21.24-73.65
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $50.04 38.95-70.81
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership $37.39 13.45-56.65
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $17.70 14.16-21.24
Cinema Ticket (International Release) $10.44 9.21-17.70
Childcare
Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $611.65 354.07-1,770.33
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $16,505.38 10,515.76-19,119.57
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $48.39 21.24-70.81
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $30.73 14.16-60.19
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $86.16 70.81-99.14
Men's Leather Business Shoes $116.84 46.03-155.79
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,258.70 1,104.69-1,557.89
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,148.59 920.57-1,416.26
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $2,063.32 1,911.96-2,336.84
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,864.95 1,712.97-2,124.40
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre $253.51 253.51-359.68
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $253.51 253.51-253.51
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $3,026.69
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 4.60 4.45-4.70

Prices in Hamilton

This city had 311 entries in the past 12 months by 32 different contributors.
Last update: 15 October 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?