😐A single person spends $2,493 per month in Hamilton vs $2,330 in Apple Valley, MN, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,584 per month in Hamilton vs $3,443 in Apple Valley, MN, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,676 per month in Hamilton vs $4,556 in Apple Valley, MN, rent included.
😐Hamilton costs about 7% more than Apple Valley, MN, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Hamilton and Apple Valley, MN sit above the global median – Hamilton by 87%, Apple Valley, MN by 74%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hamilton
Apple Valley, MN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.13CA$25.41
$10.46$10.46
73.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.3CA$103
$74.0$74.0
-0.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.98CA$15.39
$10.16$10.16
8.07%
Cappuccino
$4.05CA$5.68
$5.96$5.96
-32.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10CA$2.94
$3.06$3.06
-31.37%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81CA$2.53
$1.24$1.24
45.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.83CA$8.17
$5.93$5.93
-1.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.58CA$9.23
$5.94$5.94
10.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hamilton
Apple Valley, MN
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.23CA$3.13
$0.74$0.74
201.35%
White Bread(500g)
$2.12CA$2.98
$2.14$2.14
-0.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.85CA$4.00
$2.22$2.22
28.38%
Eggs
$3.14CA$4.40
$4.14$4.14
-24.15%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.74CA$10.85
$11.43$11.43
-32.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.56CA$16.21
$14.47$14.47
-20.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.39CA$20.18
$13.23$13.23
8.77%
Apples(1kg)
$3.91CA$5.48
$4.44$4.44
-11.94%
Banana(1kg)
$1.30CA$1.82
$1.77$1.77
-26.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.55CA$4.97
$7.70$7.70
-53.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.90CA$5.47
$5.75$5.75
-32.17%
Potato(1kg)
$2.62CA$3.67
$3.14$3.14
-16.56%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19CA$3.07
$3.69$3.69
-40.65%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.21CA$3.09
$2.59$2.59
-14.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.99CA$2.80
$2.30$2.30
-13.48%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.47CA$18.88
$11.61$11.61
16.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.63CA$17.71
$14.77$14.77
-14.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.41CA$3.38
$2.18$2.18
10.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07CA$4.31
$4.90$4.90
-37.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Hamilton
Apple Valley, MN
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.62CA$3.68
$1.99$1.99
31.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$87.4CA$123
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.54CA$4.96
$4.60$4.60
-23.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.22CA$1.71
$1.74$1.74
-29.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.62CA$33.12
$24.17$24.17
-2.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14CA$1.60
$0.87$0.87
31.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4KCA$35.6K
$30.5K$30.5K
-16.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4KCA$28.6K
$25.7K$25.7K
-20.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hamilton
Apple Valley, MN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$155CA$218
$160$160
-2.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$40.11CA$56.2
$50.3$50.3
-20.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.2CA$71.7
$60.1$60.1
-14.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hamilton
Apple Valley, MN
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.80CA$51.6
$74.8$74.8
-50.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.40CA$31.40
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.57CA$16.22
$15.07$15.07
-23.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hamilton
Apple Valley, MN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$643CA$901
$1,142$1,142
-43.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$21.7KCA$30.4K
$26.5K$26.5K
-18.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hamilton
Apple Valley, MN
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.0CA$78.5
$42.57$42.57
31.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.71CA$47.26
$43.57$43.57
-22.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.7CA$136
$57.2$57.2
68.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121CA$170
$116$116
4.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hamilton
Apple Valley, MN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,352CA$1,895
$1,608$1,608
-15.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,268CA$1,778
$1,203$1,203
5.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,987CA$2,785
$2,665$2,665
-25.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,022CA$2,835
$2,031$2,031
-0.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,710CA$3,800
$2,421$2,421
11.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,749CA$3,854
$2,456$2,456
11.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hamilton
Apple Valley, MN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,871CA$4,025
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.62
6.51
1.69%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hamilton: July 14, 2026
Last update for Apple Valley, MN: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,352 in Hamilton versus $1,608 in Apple Valley, MN. 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 $73.0 in Hamilton versus $74.0 in Apple Valley, MN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $341 vs $398 – 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 Apple Valley, MN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Hamilton and in Apple Valley, MN compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,493 in Hamilton, $2,330 in Apple Valley, MN – roughly 7% apart. Hamilton costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Hamilton compared to Apple Valley, MN?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,739 per month in Hamilton and $3,494 in Apple Valley, MN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Hamilton and Apple Valley, MN?
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: Hamilton or Apple Valley, MN?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,493 in Hamilton and $2,330 in Apple Valley, MN. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Hamilton and Apple Valley, MN?
Kindergarten costs $643 per month in Hamilton and $1,142 in Apple Valley, MN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,493 in Hamilton and $2,330 in Apple Valley, MN. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Hamilton and Apple Valley, MN?
It depends on your priorities. Hamilton has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,330 in Apple Valley, MN to $2,493 in Hamilton. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Hamilton or Apple Valley, MN 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 Hamilton and Apple Valley, MN?
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.