πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,156 in Philipsburg versus $2,989 in Coquitlam.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $5,866 in Philipsburg versus $4,072 in Coquitlam.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $8,577 in Philipsburg versus $5,155 in Coquitlam.
πLiving in Philipsburg is roughly 6% more expensive than Coquitlam, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Philipsburg134% above, Coquitlam122% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.84ANGΒ 26.57
$14.90CA$20.42
-0.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.5ANGΒ 133
$52.5CA$71.9
41.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.15ANGΒ 14.60
$10.11CA$13.85
-19.39%
Cappuccino
$4.29ANGΒ 7.68
$3.85CA$5.27
11.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.06ANGΒ 5.47
$1.93CA$2.64
58.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.78ANGΒ 6.76
$2.08CA$2.85
81.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.06ANGΒ 5.48
$5.05CA$6.92
-39.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.04ANGΒ 9.02
$5.80CA$7.95
-13.10%
π Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.95ANGΒ 5.28
$1.50CA$2.06
96.67%
White Bread(500g)
$3.04ANGΒ 5.44
$3.13CA$4.29
-2.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.99ANGΒ 5.34
$2.27CA$3.10
31.72%
Eggs
$6.23ANGΒ 11.15
$4.09CA$5.60
52.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.46ANGΒ 33.04
$10.22CA$14.00
80.63%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.67ANGΒ 29.84
$16.21CA$22.20
2.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.40ANGΒ 34.73
$14.82CA$20.31
30.90%
Apples(1kg)
$5.84ANGΒ 10.45
$4.37CA$5.99
33.64%
Banana(1kg)
$5.96ANGΒ 10.67
$1.38CA$1.90
331.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.48ANGΒ 16.98
$5.02CA$6.88
88.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.27ANGΒ 11.23
$4.38CA$6.01
43.15%
Potato(1kg)
$3.92ANGΒ 7.02
$1.60CA$2.20
145.00%
Onion(1kg)
$4.04ANGΒ 7.23
$1.67CA$2.29
141.92%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.63ANGΒ 8.28
$3.14CA$4.30
47.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.98ANGΒ 3.55
$1.09CA$1.49
81.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.06ANGΒ 14.43
$14.19CA$19.44
-43.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.98ANGΒ 19.65
$13.66CA$18.71
-19.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.31ANGΒ 5.93
$3.85CA$5.27
-14.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91ANGΒ 5.22
$2.33CA$3.19
24.89%
π Getting Around
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.46ANGΒ 2.62
$2.28CA$3.12
-35.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$75.8CA$104
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$15.12ANGΒ 27.06
$2.64CA$3.62
472.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$5.12ANGΒ 9.17
$1.51CA$2.07
239.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$25.11CA$34.40
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.39ANGΒ 2.49
$1.30CA$1.78
6.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$25.0KCA$34.3K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$19.9KCA$27.3K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$224ANGΒ 401
$134CA$183
67.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.89ANGΒ 57.1
$37.41CA$51.3
-14.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.8ANGΒ 127
$59.5CA$81.5
18.96%
π Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.0ANGΒ 111
$27.83CA$38.12
122.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.88CA$14.90
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.88ANGΒ 23.06
$10.90CA$14.94
18.17%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$371ANGΒ 665
$1,245CA$1,706
-70.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.3KANGΒ 20.3K
$12.3KCA$16.8K
-7.65%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$70.6CA$96.7
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$45.41CA$62.2
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$97.1CA$133
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$117CA$160
-
π Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,967ANGΒ 3,521
$2,017CA$2,763
-2.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,895ANGΒ 3,392
$1,799CA$2,465
5.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,686ANGΒ 10.2K
$3,729CA$5,109
52.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$5,645ANGΒ 10.1K
$2,697CA$3,695
109.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,005ANGΒ 5,379
$6,134CA$8,404
-51.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$5,149CA$7,054
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Coquitlam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,127ANGΒ 2,018
$3,177CA$4,352
-64.52%
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: April 12, 2026
Last update for Coquitlam: April 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,967 in Philipsburg and $2,017 in Coquitlam. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Coquitlam pays 182% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $74 in Philipsburg vs $52 in Coquitlam for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $534 vs $385 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 6% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Philipsburg or Coquitlam?
On paper, Coquitlam earns 182% 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: $1,967 in Philipsburg versus $2,017 in Coquitlam. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $371 in Philipsburg versus $1,245 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 $52.0 versus $74.0 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 6% 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