Cost of Living Comparison Between Hamilton and Decatur, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Hamilton and Decatur, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,321 per month in Hamilton vs $1,748 in Decatur, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,399 per month in Hamilton vs $2,694 in Decatur, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,477 per month in Hamilton vs $3,641 in Decatur, IL, rent included.

Hamilton costs about 33% more than Decatur, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Hamilton and Decatur, IL sit above the global median – Hamilton by 69%, Decatur, IL by 27%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.38 CA$25.35

$19.76 $19.76

-6.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$68.1 CA$93.9

$84.9 $84.9

-19.80%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.51 CA$17.25

$9.25 $9.25

35.24%

Cappuccino

$3.56 CA$4.90

$5.34 $5.34

-33.33%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 CA$3.03

$2.23 $2.23

-1.35%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 CA$2.40

$1.73 $1.73

0.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.18 CA$7.14

$4.97 $4.97

4.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.50 CA$8.97

$5.91 $5.91

9.98%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 CA$2.83

$1.33 $1.33

54.14%

White Bread (500g)

$2.22 CA$3.07

$2.99 $2.99

-25.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.84 CA$3.91

$1.95 $1.95

45.64%

Eggs

$3.44 CA$4.75

$4.74 $4.74

-27.43%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.57 CA$10.44

$14.88 $14.88

-49.13%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.40 CA$14.35

$14.73 $14.73

-29.40%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.04 CA$19.37

$13.38 $13.38

4.93%

Apples (1kg)

$3.91 CA$5.40

$4.35 $4.35

-10.11%

Banana (1kg)

$1.28 CA$1.76

$1.99 $1.99

-35.68%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.27 CA$5.88

$4.05 $4.05

5.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.92 CA$5.41

$3.37 $3.37

16.32%

Potato (1kg)

$2.64 CA$3.64

$0.84 $0.84

214.29%

Onion (1kg)

$1.75 CA$2.41

$1.13 $1.13

54.87%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.34 CA$3.23

$1.48 $1.48

58.11%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 CA$2.02

$3.02 $3.02

-51.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.22 CA$19.61

$16.17 $16.17

-12.06%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.06 CA$18.01

$14.86 $14.86

-12.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.38 CA$3.29

$2.18 $2.18

9.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.19 CA$5.78

$2.04 $2.04

105.39%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.74 CA$3.78

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$87.7 CA$121

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.50 CA$4.82

$3.22 $3.22

8.70%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.33 CA$1.83

$1.42 $1.42

-6.34%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.47 CA$32.37

$22.79 $22.79

2.98%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 CA$1.64

$1.12 $1.12

6.25%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.9K CA$39.9K

$37.0K $37.0K

-21.91%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.1K CA$27.7K

$26.0K $26.0K

-22.82%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$151 CA$208

$86.0 $86.0

75.29%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$40.12 CA$55.3

$69.6 $69.6

-42.39%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$51.2 CA$70.5

$60.1 $60.1

-14.84%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.62 CA$51.9

$74.4 $74.4

-49.44%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.56 CA$29.73

Cinema Ticket

$10.27 CA$14.16

$11.88 $11.88

-13.55%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$615 CA$849

$1,548 $1,548

-60.25%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.6K CA$22.9K

$32.1K $32.1K

-48.34%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.2 CA$69.3

$64.0 $64.0

-21.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.50 CA$47.58

$56.1 $56.1

-38.48%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.9 CA$127

$103 $103

-11.09%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 CA$167

$157 $157

-23.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,320 CA$1,820

$882 $882

49.55%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,211 CA$1,670

$550 $550

120.17%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,063 CA$2,845

$1,000 $1,000

106.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,928 CA$2,659

$821 $821

134.83%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,814 CA$3,880

$940 $940

199.23%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,808 CA$3,872

$935 $935

200.31%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,912 CA$4,016

$4,519 $4,519

-35.55%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.6

6.38

-27.90%

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

Last update for Hamilton: August 29, 2026

Last update for Decatur, IL: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,320 in Hamilton versus $882 in Decatur, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 55% higher in Decatur, IL, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $68.0 in Hamilton versus $85.0 in Decatur, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $333 vs $387 – 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 Decatur, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Hamilton is pricier by about 33%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,482 per month in Hamilton and $2,622 in Decatur, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Decatur, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $68.0 in Hamilton and $85.0 in Decatur, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 16% cheaper in Hamilton – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Decatur, IL, where all-in costs run around $1,748, than in Hamilton at $2,321. In Decatur, IL it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hamilton it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Decatur, IL – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Decatur, IL. 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.