πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,079 in Philipsburg versus $2,949 in Coquitlam.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $5,825 in Philipsburg versus $4,123 in Coquitlam.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $8,571 in Philipsburg versus $5,297 in Coquitlam.
πLiving in Philipsburg is roughly 4% more expensive than Coquitlam, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Philipsburg130% above, Coquitlam120% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.89ANGΒ 26.57
$14.48CA$20.14
2.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.5ANGΒ 136
$51.3CA$71.3
49.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.84ANGΒ 13.99
$10.39CA$14.45
-24.54%
Cappuccino
$4.27ANGΒ 7.62
$3.69CA$5.14
15.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07ANGΒ 5.48
$1.97CA$2.74
55.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69ANGΒ 6.59
$2.10CA$2.92
75.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.94ANGΒ 5.24
$5.22CA$7.26
-43.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.86ANGΒ 8.68
$5.80CA$8.06
-16.21%
π Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.01ANGΒ 5.38
$1.44CA$2.00
109.03%
White Bread(500g)
$3.19ANGΒ 5.69
$2.99CA$4.16
6.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.08ANGΒ 5.50
$2.25CA$3.13
36.89%
Eggs
$6.24ANGΒ 11.14
$3.98CA$5.53
56.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.64ANGΒ 33.28
$10.51CA$14.62
77.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$17.11ANGΒ 30.55
$16.30CA$22.67
4.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.55ANGΒ 34.90
$14.44CA$20.08
35.39%
Apples(1kg)
$6.13ANGΒ 10.94
$4.55CA$6.32
34.73%
Banana(1kg)
$6.07ANGΒ 10.83
$1.43CA$1.99
324.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.28ANGΒ 16.56
$5.08CA$7.07
82.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.45ANGΒ 11.51
$4.56CA$6.35
41.45%
Potato(1kg)
$3.98ANGΒ 7.11
$1.60CA$2.23
148.75%
Onion(1kg)
$4.04ANGΒ 7.22
$1.77CA$2.46
128.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.42ANGΒ 7.89
$2.98CA$4.14
48.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.96ANGΒ 3.50
$1.09CA$1.51
79.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.89ANGΒ 14.08
$14.11CA$19.62
-44.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.02ANGΒ 19.67
$12.43CA$17.29
-11.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.32ANGΒ 5.93
$3.90CA$5.42
-14.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77ANGΒ 4.94
$2.34CA$3.26
18.38%
π Getting Around
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.54ANGΒ 2.75
$2.34CA$3.25
-34.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$77.9CA$108
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$14.78ANGΒ 26.38
$2.76CA$3.84
435.51%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.88ANGΒ 8.72
$1.57CA$2.19
210.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$24.93CA$34.67
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43ANGΒ 2.56
$1.37CA$1.90
4.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$24.5KCA$34.1K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$20.1KCA$27.9K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$225ANGΒ 401
$132CA$184
69.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.45ANGΒ 57.9
$36.68CA$51.0
-11.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.9ANGΒ 125
$60.9CA$84.7
14.72%
π Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.6ANGΒ 110
$27.85CA$38.73
121.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$11.15CA$15.50
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.97ANGΒ 23.16
$11.20CA$15.58
15.80%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$376ANGΒ 670
$1,230CA$1,710
-69.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.4KANGΒ 20.3K
$12.4KCA$17.2K
-8.02%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$70.7CA$98.3
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$45.66CA$63.5
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$95.1CA$132
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$115CA$159
-
π Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,978ANGΒ 3,530
$2,055CA$2,859
-3.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,897ANGΒ 3,385
$1,817CA$2,527
4.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,747ANGΒ 10.3K
$3,665CA$5,097
56.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$5,638ANGΒ 10.1K
$2,680CA$3,727
110.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$6,103CA$8,487
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$5,152CA$7,165
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,109ANGΒ 1,980
$3,140CA$4,367
-64.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.75
6.61
-13.01%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: June 1, 2026
Last update for Coquitlam: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,978 in Philipsburg and $2,055 in Coquitlam. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Coquitlam pays 183% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $76.0 in Philipsburg vs $51.0 in Coquitlam for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $541 vs $382 per month, with Coquitlam 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
Philipsburg vs Coquitlam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coquitlam cheaper than Philipsburg?
Coquitlam is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Philipsburg or Coquitlam?
On paper, Coquitlam earns 183% 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 Philipsburg and Coquitlam?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,978 in Philipsburg versus $2,055 in Coquitlam. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $376 in Philipsburg versus $1,230 in Coquitlam. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Philipsburg or Coquitlam?
Dining out is cheaper in Coquitlam β a meal for two runs $51.0 versus $76.0 in Philipsburg. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Philipsburg or Coquitlam?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Coquitlam is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is it better to live in Philipsburg or Coquitlam?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Coquitlam gentler on the wallet β expenses run 4% less than in Philipsburg. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Philipsburg vs other spots: cost of living compared