😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,160 in Philipsburg versus $2,432 in Hamilton.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,809 in Philipsburg versus $3,511 in Hamilton.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $8,458 in Philipsburg versus $4,590 in Hamilton.
🌍Living in Philipsburg is roughly 30% more expensive than in Hamilton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Philipsburg137% above, Hamilton83% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.11ANG 26.98
$18.38CA$25.75
-17.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.0ANG 136
$73.7CA$103
3.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.22ANG 14.68
$11.14CA$15.61
-26.21%
Cappuccino
$4.25ANG 7.58
$4.02CA$5.63
5.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93ANG 5.22
$2.09CA$2.93
40.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72ANG 6.64
$1.82CA$2.54
104.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.97ANG 5.30
$5.87CA$8.23
-49.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.97ANG 8.88
$6.76CA$9.47
-26.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.93ANG 5.23
$2.23CA$3.12
31.39%
White Bread(500g)
$3.19ANG 5.69
$2.20CA$3.08
45.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.94ANG 5.26
$2.96CA$4.15
-0.68%
Eggs
$6.33ANG 11.31
$3.23CA$4.52
95.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.26ANG 32.59
$7.76CA$10.87
135.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.79ANG 29.98
$11.44CA$16.03
46.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.40ANG 34.62
$14.29CA$20.03
35.76%
Apples(1kg)
$5.90ANG 10.54
$3.81CA$5.34
54.86%
Banana(1kg)
$6.12ANG 10.92
$1.30CA$1.82
370.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.09ANG 16.22
$3.67CA$5.14
147.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.45ANG 11.52
$3.89CA$5.45
65.81%
Potato(1kg)
$4.08ANG 7.28
$2.59CA$3.63
57.53%
Onion(1kg)
$3.92ANG 7.00
$2.19CA$3.06
79.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.46ANG 7.97
$2.17CA$3.04
105.53%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.96ANG 3.49
$2.00CA$2.81
-2.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.18ANG 14.61
$13.57CA$19.02
-39.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.85ANG 19.37
$12.83CA$17.98
-15.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.36ANG 6.00
$2.47CA$3.47
36.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81ANG 5.01
$3.02CA$4.23
-6.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.52ANG 2.71
$2.60CA$3.64
-41.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$88.6CA$124
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$15.15ANG 27.04
$3.57CA$5.01
324.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.86ANG 8.67
$1.29CA$1.80
276.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$24.50CA$34.33
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.42ANG 2.53
$1.10CA$1.55
29.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$24.6KCA$34.5K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$20.9KCA$29.3K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$229ANG 410
$152CA$214
50.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.15ANG 57.4
$39.83CA$55.8
-19.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.3ANG 127
$52.8CA$74.0
35.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5ANG 110
$36.13CA$50.6
70.30%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$22.32CA$31.28
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.24ANG 23.63
$11.89CA$16.66
11.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$380ANG 679
$647CA$907
-41.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.2KANG 19.9K
$22.4KCA$31.4K
-50.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$55.6CA$77.9
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$34.62CA$48.51
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$96.0CA$135
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$122CA$170
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,931ANG 3,447
$1,357CA$1,902
42.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,876ANG 3,348
$1,265CA$1,772
48.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,653ANG 10.1K
$2,017CA$2,827
180.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$5,752ANG 10.3K
$2,030CA$2,845
183.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,779CA$3,894
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,712CA$3,800
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,115ANG 1,991
$2,840CA$3,980
-60.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.75
6.62
-13.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: July 27, 2026
Last update for Hamilton: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,931 in Philipsburg and $1,357 in Hamilton. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hamilton pays 155% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $76.0 in Philipsburg vs $74.0 in Hamilton for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $536 vs $342 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
Philipsburg vs Hamilton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hamilton cheaper than Philipsburg?
Hamilton is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 30% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Philipsburg or Hamilton?
On paper, salaries run 155% lower in Hamilton. 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 Hamilton?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,931 in Philipsburg versus $1,357 in Hamilton. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Philipsburg and in Hamilton?
Supermarket bills run roughly 57% higher in Philipsburg. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Philipsburg and in Hamilton?
All in, you'll spend $3,160 per month in Philipsburg versus $2,432 in Hamilton – a 30% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Philipsburg or in Hamilton?
At $2,432 in Hamilton versus $3,160 in Philipsburg, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Hamilton but tight or insufficient in Philipsburg. The gap between the two cities makes Hamilton the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Philipsburg or Hamilton more family-friendly?
For families, Hamilton is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Philipsburg, 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 30% 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