😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,125 in Philipsburg versus $2,380 in Hamilton.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $6,156 in Philipsburg versus $3,404 in Hamilton.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $9,187 in Philipsburg versus $4,429 in Hamilton.
🌍Living in Philipsburg is roughly 31% more expensive than in Hamilton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Philipsburg128% above, Hamilton74% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.29ANG 27.30
$18.04CA$25.23
-15.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.4ANG 126
$65.8CA$92.0
6.93%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.31ANG 14.82
$11.30CA$15.81
-26.46%
Cappuccino
$4.23ANG 7.55
$3.58CA$5.00
18.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82ANG 5.03
$2.22CA$3.10
27.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94ANG 7.03
$1.69CA$2.37
133.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.96ANG 5.28
$5.10CA$7.14
-41.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.42ANG 11.47
$6.17CA$8.63
4.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.93ANG 5.23
$2.34CA$3.27
25.21%
White Bread(500g)
$2.64ANG 4.70
$2.30CA$3.22
14.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.51ANG 4.48
$2.74CA$3.84
-8.39%
Eggs
$6.49ANG 11.59
$3.32CA$4.65
95.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.68ANG 33.34
$7.91CA$11.07
136.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.20ANG 25.34
$10.84CA$15.16
31.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.91ANG 26.62
$13.94CA$19.51
6.96%
Apples(1kg)
$5.09ANG 9.09
$3.87CA$5.42
31.52%
Banana(1kg)
$5.07ANG 9.04
$1.23CA$1.72
312.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$8.83ANG 15.77
$4.31CA$6.03
104.87%
Tomato(1kg)
$7.65ANG 13.66
$3.84CA$5.37
99.22%
Potato(1kg)
$3.90ANG 6.96
$2.32CA$3.25
68.10%
Onion(1kg)
$4.11ANG 7.33
$1.65CA$2.30
149.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$5.13ANG 9.15
$2.18CA$3.05
135.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.29ANG 2.31
$1.39CA$1.95
-7.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.76ANG 13.86
$12.79CA$17.89
-39.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.90ANG 19.45
$13.60CA$19.03
-19.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.15ANG 9.19
$2.49CA$3.49
106.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.44CA$4.81
-
🚌 Getting Around
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.29ANG 4.09
$2.63CA$3.68
-12.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$1.53ANG 2.74
$86.8CA$121
-98.24%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$14.82ANG 26.45
$3.61CA$5.06
310.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.32CA$1.85
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$23.89CA$33.42
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.15CA$1.61
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$29.0KCA$40.6K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$20.0KCA$28.0K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$149ANG 265
$157CA$219
-5.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.43ANG 57.9
$43.23CA$60.5
-24.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.6ANG 117
$51.5CA$72.0
27.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.0ANG 111
$37.74CA$52.8
64.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$21.50CA$30.07
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.88ANG 19.42
$10.46CA$14.63
4.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$250ANG 447
$615CA$861
-59.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.0KANG 21.5K
$16.9KCA$23.6K
-28.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$49.21CA$68.8
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$30.79CA$43.07
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$87.6CA$123
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$123CA$172
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,158ANG 3,852
$1,297CA$1,815
66.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,998ANG 3,566
$1,212CA$1,696
64.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$6,575ANG 11.7K
$2,106CA$2,947
212.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$6,605ANG 11.8K
$1,931CA$2,701
242.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,726CA$3,813
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,722CA$3,808
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,128ANG 2,014
$2,906CA$4,065
-61.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
4.6
8.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: September 15, 2026
Last update for Hamilton: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,158 in Philipsburg and $1,297 in Hamilton. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hamilton pays 158% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $70.0 in Philipsburg vs $66.0 in Hamilton for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $496 vs $336 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 31% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Philipsburg or Hamilton?
On paper, salaries run 158% 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: $2,158 in Philipsburg versus $1,297 in Hamilton. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $250 in Philipsburg versus $615 in Hamilton. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Philipsburg and in Hamilton?
Supermarket bills run roughly 48% higher in Philipsburg. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Philipsburg or in Hamilton?
At $2,380 in Hamilton versus $3,125 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 31% 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