🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,507 in Hamilton versus $2,932 in Poughkeepsie, NY.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,577 in Hamilton versus $4,032 in Poughkeepsie, NY.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,647 in Hamilton versus $5,131 in Poughkeepsie, NY.
🙂Living in Hamilton costs roughly 15% less than in Poughkeepsie, NY, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Hamilton87% above, Poughkeepsie, NY119% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hamilton
Poughkeepsie, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.39CA$25.65
$19.35$19.35
-4.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.6CA$104
$79.3$79.3
-5.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.84CA$15.12
$11.36$11.36
-4.58%
Cappuccino
$4.03CA$5.62
$3.65$3.65
10.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10CA$2.93
$2.02$2.02
3.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73CA$2.41
$1.22$1.22
41.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.73CA$8.00
$4.93$4.93
16.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.49CA$9.05
$5.99$5.99
8.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hamilton
Poughkeepsie, NY
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.23CA$3.11
$1.02$1.02
118.63%
White Bread(500g)
$2.11CA$2.94
$3.94$3.94
-46.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.00CA$4.19
$5.70$5.70
-47.37%
Eggs
$3.20CA$4.46
$5.40$5.40
-40.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.76CA$10.82
$13.13$13.13
-40.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.64CA$16.23
$14.52$14.52
-19.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.37CA$20.04
$17.35$17.35
-17.18%
Apples(1kg)
$3.86CA$5.38
$4.64$4.64
-16.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.31CA$1.83
$1.02$1.02
28.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.58CA$4.99
$4.62$4.62
-22.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.73CA$5.20
$5.02$5.02
-25.70%
Potato(1kg)
$2.64CA$3.68
$2.94$2.94
-10.20%
Onion(1kg)
$2.20CA$3.06
$3.54$3.54
-37.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.22CA$3.10
$1.96$1.96
13.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.00CA$2.79
$1.81$1.81
10.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.59CA$18.95
$14.61$14.61
-6.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.08CA$18.24
$9.91$9.91
31.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.47CA$3.45
$2.19$2.19
12.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01CA$4.19
$4.03$4.03
-25.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Hamilton
Poughkeepsie, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.56CA$3.57
$2.96$2.96
-13.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$86.2CA$120
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.58CA$4.99
$4.93$4.93
-27.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.21CA$1.69
$1.99$1.99
-39.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.51CA$34.18
$27.45$27.45
-10.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15CA$1.61
$0.94$0.94
22.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0KCA$34.8K
$30.3K$30.3K
-17.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9KCA$29.2K
$25.3K$25.3K
-17.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hamilton
Poughkeepsie, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$150CA$209
$102$102
47.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$38.86CA$54.2
$59.0$59.0
-34.12%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.0CA$73.9
$68.3$68.3
-22.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hamilton
Poughkeepsie, NY
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.45CA$50.8
$19.79$19.79
84.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.88CA$30.51
$40.03$40.03
-45.34%
Cinema Ticket
$11.73CA$16.36
$15.19$15.19
-22.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hamilton
Poughkeepsie, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$644CA$899
$1,405$1,405
-54.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$22.4KCA$31.2K
$28.4K$28.4K
-21.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hamilton
Poughkeepsie, NY
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.6CA$79.0
$51.8$51.8
9.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.04CA$47.47
$45.86$45.86
-25.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.3CA$136
$82.1$82.1
18.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$120CA$168
$104$104
15.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hamilton
Poughkeepsie, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,346CA$1,877
$1,666$1,666
-19.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,306CA$1,821
$1,785$1,785
-26.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,056CA$2,867
$2,085$2,085
-1.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,970CA$2,747
$2,434$2,434
-19.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,754CA$3,840
$1,599$1,599
72.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,768CA$3,860
$2,304$2,304
20.17%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hamilton
Poughkeepsie, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,916CA$4,066
$4,393$4,393
-33.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.62
6.45
2.64%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hamilton: May 30, 2026
Last update for Poughkeepsie, NY: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,346 in Hamilton and $1,666 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Poughkeepsie, NY pays 51% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $75.0 in Hamilton vs $79.0 in Poughkeepsie, NY for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $343 vs $415 per month, with Hamilton cheaper across the board.
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 Poughkeepsie, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Poughkeepsie, NY cheaper than Hamilton?
Hamilton is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 17% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Hamilton or Poughkeepsie, NY?
On paper, Poughkeepsie, NY earns 51% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Hamilton and Poughkeepsie, NY?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,346 in Hamilton versus $1,666 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Hamilton and Poughkeepsie, NY?
Supermarket bills run roughly 21% higher in Poughkeepsie, NY. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Hamilton vs Poughkeepsie, NY?
All in, you'll spend $2,507 per month in Hamilton versus $2,932 in Poughkeepsie, NY – a 17% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Hamilton or Poughkeepsie, NY?
At $2,507 in Hamilton versus $2,932 in Poughkeepsie, NY, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Hamilton but tight or insufficient in Poughkeepsie, NY. The gap between the two cities makes Hamilton the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Hamilton or Poughkeepsie, NY more family-friendly?
For families, Hamilton is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Poughkeepsie, NY, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Hamilton gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Poughkeepsie, NY. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.