πA single person spends $4,831 per month in Hamilton vs $3,686 in Southampton, rent included.
πA couple spends around $9,260 per month in Hamilton vs $8,489 in Southampton, rent included.
πA family of three spends $13.7K per month in Hamilton vs $13.3K in Southampton, rent included.
πHamilton costs about 31% more than Southampton, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth Hamilton and Southampton sit above the global median β Hamilton by 261%, Southampton by 175%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Hamilton
Southampton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$60.6BMDΒ 60.6
$59.1BMDΒ 59.1
2.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$177BMDΒ 177
$177BMDΒ 177
-0.07%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.87BMDΒ 14.87
$14.88BMDΒ 14.88
-0.07%
Cappuccino
$6.46BMDΒ 6.46
$6.47BMDΒ 6.47
-0.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37BMDΒ 3.37
$3.33BMDΒ 3.33
1.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90BMDΒ 2.90
$2.94BMDΒ 2.94
-1.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$10.16BMDΒ 10.16
$9.90BMDΒ 9.90
2.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.44BMDΒ 8.44
$8.40BMDΒ 8.40
0.48%
π Groceries & Markets
Hamilton
Southampton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.38BMDΒ 4.38
$4.34BMDΒ 4.34
0.92%
White Bread(500g)
$8.71BMDΒ 8.71
$8.63BMDΒ 8.63
0.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.59BMDΒ 5.59
$5.43BMDΒ 5.43
2.95%
Eggs
$7.75BMDΒ 7.75
$7.65BMDΒ 7.65
1.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.49BMDΒ 11.49
$11.48BMDΒ 11.48
0.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$24.12BMDΒ 24.12
$24.02BMDΒ 24.02
0.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$31.75BMDΒ 31.75
$32.59BMDΒ 32.59
-2.58%
Apples(1kg)
$10.16BMDΒ 10.16
$10.18BMDΒ 10.18
-0.20%
Banana(1kg)
$6.18BMDΒ 6.18
$6.43BMDΒ 6.43
-3.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$12.86BMDΒ 12.86
$12.66BMDΒ 12.66
1.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$11.27BMDΒ 11.27
$11.41BMDΒ 11.41
-1.23%
Potato(1kg)
$8.15BMDΒ 8.15
$8.31BMDΒ 8.31
-1.93%
Onion(1kg)
$4.96BMDΒ 4.96
$5.16BMDΒ 5.16
-3.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$6.06BMDΒ 6.06
$6.15BMDΒ 6.15
-1.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.21BMDΒ 3.21
$3.21BMDΒ 3.21
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$17.58BMDΒ 17.58
$17.76BMDΒ 17.76
-1.01%
Wine(Bottle)
$24.56BMDΒ 24.56
$25.42BMDΒ 25.42
-3.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.47BMDΒ 5.47
$5.43BMDΒ 5.43
0.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43BMDΒ 4.43
$4.39BMDΒ 4.39
0.91%
π Getting Around
Hamilton
Southampton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.81BMDΒ 4.81
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.1BMDΒ 68.1
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.40BMDΒ 6.40
$6.40BMDΒ 6.40
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.44BMDΒ 3.44
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$54.8BMDΒ 54.8
$53.8BMDΒ 53.8
1.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.36BMDΒ 2.36
$2.01BMDΒ 2.01
17.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0KBMDΒ 35.0K
$34.3KBMDΒ 34.3K
2.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7KBMDΒ 39.7K
$38.4KBMDΒ 38.4K
3.38%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hamilton
Southampton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$234BMDΒ 234
$232BMDΒ 232
0.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$117BMDΒ 117
$120BMDΒ 120
-2.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$156BMDΒ 156
$157BMDΒ 157
-0.78%
π Sport & Entertainment
Hamilton
Southampton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$191BMDΒ 191
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.31BMDΒ 32.31
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.73BMDΒ 13.73
$13.51BMDΒ 13.51
1.63%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Hamilton
Southampton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,338BMDΒ 1,338
$1,342BMDΒ 1,342
-0.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.5KBMDΒ 24.5K
$24.4KBMDΒ 24.4K
0.52%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Hamilton
Southampton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$78.8BMDΒ 78.8
$78.5BMDΒ 78.5
0.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.9BMDΒ 60.9
$60.8BMDΒ 60.8
0.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$138BMDΒ 138
$139BMDΒ 139
-0.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126BMDΒ 126
$126BMDΒ 126
-0.62%
π Accommodation & Living
Hamilton
Southampton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,342BMDΒ 3,342
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,198BMDΒ 2,198
$1,518BMDΒ 1,518
44.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$8,541BMDΒ 8,541
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$7,359BMDΒ 7,359
$7,968BMDΒ 7,968
-7.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$15.1KBMDΒ 15.1K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$9,439BMDΒ 9,439
-
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Hamilton
Southampton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,759BMDΒ 6,759
$9,756BMDΒ 9,756
-30.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.22
7.22
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hamilton: June 1, 2026
Last update for Southampton: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π°Salaries run about 44% higher in Southampton, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $177 in Hamilton versus $177 in Southampton. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $813 vs $817 β 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
Hamilton vs Southampton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Hamilton and Southampton compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $4,831 in Hamilton, $3,686 in Southampton β roughly 31% apart. Hamilton costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Hamilton compared to Southampton?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,247 per month in Hamilton and $5,530 in Southampton. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hamilton or Southampton?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,831 in Hamilton and $3,686 in Southampton. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Hamilton and Southampton?
Kindergarten costs $1,338 per month in Hamilton and $1,342 in Southampton. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Southampton, where all-in costs run around $3,686, than in Hamilton at $4,831. In Southampton it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hamilton it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Hamilton and Southampton?
It depends on your priorities. Hamilton has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,686 in Southampton to $4,831 in Hamilton. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Hamilton or Southampton 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Hamilton and Southampton?
If budget matters most, go with Southampton. 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.