πA single person spends $5,154 per month in Monte Carlo vs $4,847 in Hamilton, rent included.
πA couple spends around $9,591 per month in Monte Carlo vs $9,080 in Hamilton, rent included.
πA family of three spends $14.0K per month in Monte Carlo vs $13.3K in Hamilton, rent included.
πMonte Carlo costs about 6% more than Hamilton, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth Monte Carlo and Hamilton sit above the global median β Monte Carlo by 283%, Hamilton by 261%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Monte Carlo
Hamilton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$55.0β¬47.35
$59.9BMDΒ 59.9
-8.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$122β¬105
$183BMDΒ 183
-33.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.19β¬9.64
$15.24BMDΒ 15.24
-26.57%
Cappuccino
$4.37β¬3.77
$6.25BMDΒ 6.25
-30.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.26β¬6.26
$3.38BMDΒ 3.38
114.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.41β¬7.25
$2.88BMDΒ 2.88
192.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$10.36β¬8.93
$10.03BMDΒ 10.03
3.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$12.71β¬10.95
$8.53BMDΒ 8.53
49.00%
π Groceries & Markets
Monte Carlo
Hamilton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.33β¬2.01
$4.45BMDΒ 4.45
-47.64%
White Bread(500g)
$5.19β¬4.47
$8.62BMDΒ 8.62
-39.79%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.64β¬4.00
$5.51BMDΒ 5.51
-15.79%
Eggs
$4.90β¬4.23
$7.75BMDΒ 7.75
-36.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$11.41BMDΒ 11.41
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$17.51β¬15.09
$24.76BMDΒ 24.76
-29.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$22.97β¬19.79
$32.27BMDΒ 32.27
-28.82%
Apples(1kg)
$6.48β¬5.58
$10.18BMDΒ 10.18
-36.35%
Banana(1kg)
$7.54β¬6.49
$6.29BMDΒ 6.29
19.87%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.04β¬4.34
$12.90BMDΒ 12.90
-60.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$8.45β¬7.28
$11.49BMDΒ 11.49
-26.46%
Potato(1kg)
$5.94β¬5.12
$8.31BMDΒ 8.31
-28.52%
Onion(1kg)
$5.71β¬4.92
$5.03BMDΒ 5.03
13.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$5.17β¬4.45
$6.12BMDΒ 6.12
-15.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$6.34β¬5.46
$3.31BMDΒ 3.31
91.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.75β¬10.99
$17.42BMDΒ 17.42
-26.81%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.52β¬15.09
$25.04BMDΒ 25.04
-30.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.00β¬1.72
$5.49BMDΒ 5.49
-63.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.67β¬4.03
$4.48BMDΒ 4.48
4.24%
π Getting Around
Monte Carlo
Hamilton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.97β¬1.70
$4.86BMDΒ 4.86
-59.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$38.48β¬33.16
$69.9BMDΒ 69.9
-44.94%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.67β¬4.89
$6.09BMDΒ 6.09
-6.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.12β¬1.83
$3.46BMDΒ 3.46
-38.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$114β¬98.6
$54.3BMDΒ 54.3
110.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.45β¬2.11
$2.33BMDΒ 2.33
5.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$57.3Kβ¬49.4K
$34.3KBMDΒ 34.3K
66.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$45.4Kβ¬39.1K
$38.3KBMDΒ 38.3K
18.54%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monte Carlo
Hamilton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$498β¬429
$237BMDΒ 237
110.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.2β¬51.9
$120BMDΒ 120
-49.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$98.7β¬85.1
$159BMDΒ 159
-37.84%
π Sport & Entertainment
Monte Carlo
Hamilton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$543β¬467
$190BMDΒ 190
185.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$57.8β¬49.79
$33.02BMDΒ 33.02
75.02%
Cinema Ticket
$18.65β¬16.07
$13.67BMDΒ 13.67
36.43%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Monte Carlo
Hamilton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$3,706β¬3,193
$1,303BMDΒ 1,303
184.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.2Kβ¬14.8K
$24.9KBMDΒ 24.9K
-31.01%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Monte Carlo
Hamilton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$231β¬199
$79.0BMDΒ 79.0
192.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$81.5β¬70.2
$59.3BMDΒ 59.3
37.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$205β¬177
$138BMDΒ 138
49.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$285β¬245
$129BMDΒ 129
120.41%
π Accommodation & Living
Monte Carlo
Hamilton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,481β¬2,137
$3,357BMDΒ 3,357
-26.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,253β¬1,942
$2,258BMDΒ 2,258
-0.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$8,124β¬7,000
$8,739BMDΒ 8,739
-7.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$7,661β¬6,601
$7,609BMDΒ 7,609
0.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$66.2Kβ¬57.0K
$14.5KBMDΒ 14.5K
355.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$54.4Kβ¬46.9K
$9,412BMDΒ 9,412
478.42%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Monte Carlo
Hamilton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$8,862β¬7,635
$6,612BMDΒ 6,612
34.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2
7.22
-72.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Monte Carlo: June 7, 2026
Last update for Hamilton: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $2,481 in Monte Carlo versus $3,357 in Hamilton. 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 34% higher in Monte Carlo, 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 $122 in Monte Carlo versus $183 in Hamilton. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $590 vs $822 β making Monte Carlo 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
Monte Carlo vs Hamilton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Monte Carlo and Hamilton compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $5,154 in Monte Carlo, $4,847 in Hamilton β roughly 6% apart. Monte Carlo costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Monte Carlo compared to Hamilton?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,730 per month in Monte Carlo and $7,270 in Hamilton. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Monte Carlo and Hamilton?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hamilton, 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: Monte Carlo or Hamilton?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $5,154 in Monte Carlo and $4,847 in Hamilton. 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 $5,154 in Monte Carlo and $4,847 in Hamilton. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Monte Carlo and Hamilton?
It depends on your priorities. Hamilton has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $4,847 in Hamilton to $5,154 in Monte Carlo. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Monte Carlo or Hamilton 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 Monte Carlo and Hamilton?
If budget matters most, go with Hamilton. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Monte Carlo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Monte Carlo vs other spots: cost of living compared