πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,098 in Philipsburg versus $2,458 in Hamilton.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $5,842 in Philipsburg versus $3,528 in Hamilton.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $8,587 in Philipsburg versus $4,597 in Hamilton.
πLiving in Philipsburg is roughly 26% more expensive than Hamilton, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Philipsburg132% above, Hamilton84% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.89ANGΒ 26.57
$18.12CA$25.36
-17.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$73.5ANGΒ 131
$74.9CA$105
-1.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.97ANGΒ 14.23
$11.00CA$15.39
-27.55%
Cappuccino
$4.43ANGΒ 7.90
$3.95CA$5.53
12.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97ANGΒ 5.30
$2.13CA$2.98
39.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60ANGΒ 6.42
$1.82CA$2.54
97.80%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.03ANGΒ 5.41
$5.91CA$8.27
-48.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.11ANGΒ 9.12
$6.67CA$9.34
-23.39%
π Groceries & Markets
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.06ANGΒ 5.46
$2.26CA$3.17
35.40%
White Bread(500g)
$3.18ANGΒ 5.68
$2.13CA$2.98
49.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.99ANGΒ 5.33
$2.97CA$4.16
0.67%
Eggs
$6.58ANGΒ 11.74
$3.27CA$4.57
101.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.48ANGΒ 32.99
$7.49CA$10.48
146.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.83ANGΒ 30.04
$11.85CA$16.58
42.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.80ANGΒ 35.34
$14.39CA$20.14
37.60%
Apples(1kg)
$5.98ANGΒ 10.67
$4.00CA$5.59
49.50%
Banana(1kg)
$5.92ANGΒ 10.56
$1.26CA$1.76
369.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$9.35ANGΒ 16.68
$3.57CA$5.00
161.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.43ANGΒ 11.47
$3.85CA$5.39
67.01%
Potato(1kg)
$3.93ANGΒ 7.02
$2.60CA$3.64
51.15%
Onion(1kg)
$3.97ANGΒ 7.08
$2.21CA$3.09
79.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$4.43ANGΒ 7.90
$2.16CA$3.02
105.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.97ANGΒ 3.52
$2.05CA$2.86
-3.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.78ANGΒ 13.89
$13.84CA$19.37
-43.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.91ANGΒ 19.47
$12.62CA$17.67
-13.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.32ANGΒ 5.93
$2.47CA$3.46
34.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87ANGΒ 5.11
$3.06CA$4.29
-6.21%
π Getting Around
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.47ANGΒ 2.62
$2.61CA$3.65
-43.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$87.5CA$122
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$14.94ANGΒ 26.67
$3.65CA$5.11
309.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.85ANGΒ 8.66
$1.22CA$1.70
297.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$23.73CA$33.21
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.44ANGΒ 2.56
$1.16CA$1.62
24.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$25.0KCA$35.0K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$20.9KCA$29.3K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$222ANGΒ 397
$153CA$214
45.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.97ANGΒ 58.9
$39.88CA$55.8
-17.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.2ANGΒ 123
$51.9CA$72.7
33.19%
π Sport & Entertainment
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.3ANGΒ 113
$36.21CA$50.7
74.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$21.76CA$30.45
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.75ANGΒ 22.76
$11.85CA$16.58
7.59%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$371ANGΒ 662
$630CA$882
-41.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.1KANGΒ 19.9K
$22.2KCA$31.1K
-49.80%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$55.1CA$77.1
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$33.56CA$46.98
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$99.5CA$139
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$119CA$167
-
π Accommodation & Living
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,970ANGΒ 3,517
$1,393CA$1,950
41.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,875ANGΒ 3,347
$1,289CA$1,804
45.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$5,726ANGΒ 10.2K
$1,982CA$2,775
188.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$5,589ANGΒ 9,976
$2,013CA$2,818
177.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,726CA$3,815
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,727CA$3,817
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,104ANGΒ 1,970
$2,945CA$4,122
-62.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.75
6.62
-13.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Philipsburg: June 16, 2026
Last update for Hamilton: June 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,970 in Philipsburg and $1,393 in Hamilton. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Hamilton pays 167% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $74.0 in Philipsburg vs $75.0 in Hamilton. Groceries flip the comparison at $540 vs $344, with Hamilton cheaper for home cooking.
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 26% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Philipsburg or Hamilton?
On paper, Hamilton earns 167% 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 Hamilton?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,970 in Philipsburg versus $1,393 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 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 vs Hamilton?
All in, you'll spend $3,098 per month in Philipsburg versus $2,458 in Hamilton β a 26% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Philipsburg or Hamilton?
At $2,458 in Hamilton versus $3,098 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 β expenses run 26% 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