πA single person spends $4,831 per month in Hamilton vs $4,133 in Winterthur, rent included.
πA couple spends around $9,260 per month in Hamilton vs $6,195 in Winterthur, rent included.
πA family of three spends $13.7K per month in Hamilton vs $8,258 in Winterthur, rent included.
πHamilton costs about 17% more than Winterthur, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Hamilton and Winterthur sit above the global median β Hamilton by 261%, Winterthur by 208%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Hamilton
Winterthur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$60.6BMDΒ 60.6
$39.25CHFΒ 30.94
54.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$177BMDΒ 177
$128CHFΒ 101
38.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.87BMDΒ 14.87
$20.09CHFΒ 15.84
-25.98%
Cappuccino
$6.46BMDΒ 6.46
$6.63CHFΒ 5.23
-2.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37BMDΒ 3.37
$4.97CHFΒ 3.92
-32.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90BMDΒ 2.90
$4.49CHFΒ 3.54
-35.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$10.16BMDΒ 10.16
$8.86CHFΒ 6.99
14.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.44BMDΒ 8.44
$6.00CHFΒ 4.73
40.67%
π Groceries & Markets
Hamilton
Winterthur
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$4.38BMDΒ 4.38
$2.19CHFΒ 1.72
100.00%
White Bread(500g)
$8.71BMDΒ 8.71
$4.43CHFΒ 3.50
96.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.59BMDΒ 5.59
$4.90CHFΒ 3.86
14.08%
Eggs
$7.75BMDΒ 7.75
$7.73CHFΒ 6.09
0.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.49BMDΒ 11.49
$30.92CHFΒ 24.38
-62.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$24.12BMDΒ 24.12
$32.95CHFΒ 25.98
-26.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$31.75BMDΒ 31.75
$47.02CHFΒ 37.07
-32.48%
Apples(1kg)
$10.16BMDΒ 10.16
$3.27CHFΒ 2.58
210.70%
Banana(1kg)
$6.18BMDΒ 6.18
$2.15CHFΒ 1.69
187.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$12.86BMDΒ 12.86
$3.01CHFΒ 2.37
327.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$11.27BMDΒ 11.27
$7.76CHFΒ 6.12
45.23%
Potato(1kg)
$8.15BMDΒ 8.15
$2.43CHFΒ 1.92
235.39%
Onion(1kg)
$4.96BMDΒ 4.96
$2.27CHFΒ 1.79
118.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$6.06BMDΒ 6.06
$2.59CHFΒ 2.04
133.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.21BMDΒ 3.21
$1.04CHFΒ 0.82
208.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$17.58BMDΒ 17.58
$11.36CHFΒ 8.96
54.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$24.56BMDΒ 24.56
$15.29CHFΒ 12.05
60.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.47BMDΒ 5.47
$2.06CHFΒ 1.62
165.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43BMDΒ 4.43
$3.42CHFΒ 2.70
29.53%
π Getting Around
Hamilton
Winterthur
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.81BMDΒ 4.81
$4.02CHFΒ 3.17
19.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.1BMDΒ 68.1
$125CHFΒ 98.8
-45.62%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.40BMDΒ 6.40
$8.87CHFΒ 6.99
-27.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.44BMDΒ 3.44
$4.96CHFΒ 3.91
-30.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$54.8BMDΒ 54.8
$86.8CHFΒ 68.4
-36.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.36BMDΒ 2.36
$2.22CHFΒ 1.75
6.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0KBMDΒ 35.0K
$41.1KCHFΒ 32.4K
-14.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7KBMDΒ 39.7K
$46.5KCHFΒ 36.6K
-14.51%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hamilton
Winterthur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$234BMDΒ 234
$254CHFΒ 200
-7.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$117BMDΒ 117
$66.8CHFΒ 52.7
75.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$156BMDΒ 156
$58.6CHFΒ 46.22
165.82%
π Sport & Entertainment
Hamilton
Winterthur
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$191BMDΒ 191
$116CHFΒ 91.8
64.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$32.31BMDΒ 32.31
$43.72CHFΒ 34.47
-26.10%
Cinema Ticket
$13.73BMDΒ 13.73
$28.13CHFΒ 22.18
-51.19%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Hamilton
Winterthur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,338BMDΒ 1,338
$2,685CHFΒ 2,117
-50.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.5KBMDΒ 24.5K
$21.2KCHFΒ 16.7K
15.89%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Hamilton
Winterthur
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$78.8BMDΒ 78.8
$215CHFΒ 169
-63.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.9BMDΒ 60.9
$142CHFΒ 112
-57.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$138BMDΒ 138
$225CHFΒ 177
-38.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126BMDΒ 126
$436CHFΒ 343
-71.19%
π Accommodation & Living
Hamilton
Winterthur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,342BMDΒ 3,342
$2,217CHFΒ 1,748
50.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,198BMDΒ 2,198
$1,703CHFΒ 1,343
29.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$8,541BMDΒ 8,541
$3,471CHFΒ 2,737
146.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$7,359BMDΒ 7,359
$2,633CHFΒ 2,076
179.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$15.1KBMDΒ 15.1K
$24.2KCHFΒ 19.1K
-37.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$9,439BMDΒ 9,439
$17.9KCHFΒ 14.1K
-47.25%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Hamilton
Winterthur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,759BMDΒ 6,759
$6,668CHFΒ 5,257
1.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.22
2.5
188.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hamilton: June 1, 2026
Last update for Winterthur: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $3,342 in Hamilton versus $2,217 in Winterthur. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 1% higher in Hamilton, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $177 in Hamilton versus $128 in Winterthur. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $813 vs $678 β making Winterthur 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 Winterthur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Hamilton and Winterthur compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $4,831 in Hamilton, $4,133 in Winterthur β roughly 17% apart. Hamilton costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Hamilton compared to Winterthur?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,247 per month in Hamilton and $6,199 in Winterthur. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Hamilton and Winterthur?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Winterthur, 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: Hamilton or Winterthur?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,831 in Hamilton and $4,133 in Winterthur. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is feasible on a $5,000 budget?
$5,000 is a stretch for both β monthly costs hit $4,831 in Hamilton and $4,133 in Winterthur. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Hamilton and Winterthur?
It depends on your priorities. Hamilton has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $4,133 in Winterthur to $4,831 in Hamilton. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Hamilton or Winterthur 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 Winterthur?
If budget matters most, go with Winterthur. 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.