Cost of Living Comparison Between Apple Valley, MN and Hamilton Cost of Living Comparison Between Apple Valley, MN and Hamilton

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,396 per month in Apple Valley, MN vs $2,507 in Hamilton, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,505 per month in Apple Valley, MN vs $3,577 in Hamilton, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,613 per month in Apple Valley, MN vs $4,647 in Hamilton, rent included.

Apple Valley, MN is about 4% cheaper than Hamilton, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Apple Valley, MN and Hamilton sit above the global median – Apple Valley, MN by 79%, Hamilton by 87%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Apple Valley, MN
Hamilton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.62 $10.62
$18.39 CA$25.56
-42.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.1 $76.1
$74.6 CA$104
2.04%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.13 $10.13
$10.84 CA$15.07
-6.55%
Cappuccino
$6.16 $6.16
$4.03 CA$5.60
52.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09 $3.09
$2.10 CA$2.91
47.14%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27 $1.27
$1.73 CA$2.40
-26.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.96 $5.96
$5.73 CA$7.97
4.01%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.17 $6.17
$6.49 CA$9.02
-4.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Apple Valley, MN
Hamilton
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.74 $0.74
$2.23 CA$3.10
-66.82%
White Bread (500g)
$2.16 $2.16
$2.11 CA$2.93
2.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.12 $2.12
$3.00 CA$4.17
-29.33%
Eggs
$4.17 $4.17
$3.20 CA$4.44
30.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.13 $11.13
$7.76 CA$10.78
43.43%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.45 $14.45
$11.64 CA$16.17
24.14%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.13 $13.13
$14.37 CA$19.96
-8.63%
Apples (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$3.86 CA$5.36
15.28%
Banana (1kg)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.31 CA$1.82
35.11%
Oranges (1kg)
$7.81 $7.81
$3.58 CA$4.97
118.16%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$3.73 CA$5.18
47.99%
Potato (1kg)
$3.04 $3.04
$2.64 CA$3.66
15.15%
Onion (1kg)
$3.68 $3.68
$2.20 CA$3.05
67.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.47 $2.47
$2.22 CA$3.09
11.26%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.40 $2.40
$2.00 CA$2.78
20.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.62 $11.62
$13.59 CA$18.88
-14.50%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.79 $15.79
$13.08 CA$18.18
20.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.27 $2.27
$2.47 CA$3.43
-8.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.94 $4.94
$3.01 CA$4.18
64.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Apple Valley, MN
Hamilton
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.56 CA$3.56
-19.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$86.2 CA$120
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.63 $4.63
$3.58 CA$4.98
29.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.73 $1.73
$1.21 CA$1.69
42.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.09 $24.09
$24.51 CA$34.06
-1.71%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$1.15 CA$1.60
-26.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.6K $30.6K
$25.0K CA$34.7K
22.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$20.9K CA$29.1K
25.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Apple Valley, MN
Hamilton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$164 $164
$150 CA$209
9.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.0 $50.0
$38.86 CA$54.0
28.72%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.3 $60.3
$53.0 CA$73.6
13.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Apple Valley, MN
Hamilton
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$75.7 $75.7
$36.45 CA$50.6
107.60%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$21.88 CA$30.39
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.96 $14.96
$11.73 CA$16.30
27.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Apple Valley, MN
Hamilton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,172 $1,172
$644 CA$895
81.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$26.6K $26.6K
$22.4K CA$31.1K
19.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Apple Valley, MN
Hamilton
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.93 $42.93
$56.6 CA$78.7
-24.18%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.95 $42.95
$34.04 CA$47.30
26.18%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$57.0 $57.0
$97.3 CA$135
-41.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118 $118
$120 CA$167
-1.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Apple Valley, MN
Hamilton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,630 $1,630
$1,346 CA$1,870
21.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,183 $1,183
$1,306 CA$1,815
-9.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,654 $2,654
$2,056 CA$2,856
29.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,002 $2,002
$1,970 CA$2,737
1.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,498 $2,498
$2,754 CA$3,826
-9.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,312 $2,312
$2,768 CA$3,846
-16.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Apple Valley, MN
Hamilton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$2,916 CA$4,051
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.62
-1.66%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Apple Valley, MN: June 1, 2026

Last update for Hamilton: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,630 in Apple Valley, MN versus $1,346 in Hamilton. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $76.0 in Apple Valley, MN versus $75.0 in Hamilton. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $399 vs $343 – making Hamilton the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Apple Valley, MN vs Hamilton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Apple Valley, MN and Hamilton compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,396 in Apple Valley, MN, $2,507 in Hamilton – roughly 5% apart. Hamilton costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Apple Valley, MN compared to Hamilton?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,595 per month in Apple Valley, MN and $3,760 in Hamilton. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Apple Valley, MN and Hamilton?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Apple Valley, MN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Apple Valley, MN or Hamilton?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,396 in Apple Valley, MN and $2,507 in Hamilton. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Apple Valley, MN and Hamilton?
Kindergarten costs $1,172 per month in Apple Valley, MN and $644 in Hamilton. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Apple Valley, MN, where all-in costs run around $2,396, than in Hamilton at $2,507. In Apple Valley, MN it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hamilton it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Apple Valley, MN and Hamilton?
It depends on your priorities. Hamilton has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,396 in Apple Valley, MN to $2,507 in Hamilton. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Apple Valley, MN or Hamilton safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Apple Valley, MN and Hamilton?
If budget matters most, go with Apple Valley, MN. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hamilton makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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