πA single person spends $4,133 per month in Winterthur vs $4,831 in Hamilton, rent included.
πA couple spends around $6,195 per month in Winterthur vs $9,260 in Hamilton, rent included.
πA family of three spends $8,258 per month in Winterthur vs $13.7K in Hamilton, rent included.
πWinterthur is about 14% cheaper than Hamilton, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Winterthur and Hamilton sit above the global median β Winterthur by 208%, Hamilton by 261%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Winterthur
Hamilton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$39.25CHFΒ 30.94
$60.6BMDΒ 60.6
-35.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$128CHFΒ 101
$177BMDΒ 177
-27.93%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$20.09CHFΒ 15.84
$14.87BMDΒ 14.87
35.10%
Cappuccino
$6.63CHFΒ 5.23
$6.46BMDΒ 6.46
2.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.97CHFΒ 3.92
$3.37BMDΒ 3.37
47.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.49CHFΒ 3.54
$2.90BMDΒ 2.90
54.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.86CHFΒ 6.99
$10.16BMDΒ 10.16
-12.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.00CHFΒ 4.73
$8.44BMDΒ 8.44
-28.91%
π Groceries & Markets
Winterthur
Hamilton
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.19CHFΒ 1.72
$4.38BMDΒ 4.38
-50.00%
White Bread(500g)
$4.43CHFΒ 3.50
$8.71BMDΒ 8.71
-49.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.90CHFΒ 3.86
$5.59BMDΒ 5.59
-12.34%
Eggs
$7.73CHFΒ 6.09
$7.75BMDΒ 7.75
-0.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$30.92CHFΒ 24.38
$11.49BMDΒ 11.49
169.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$32.95CHFΒ 25.98
$24.12BMDΒ 24.12
36.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$47.02CHFΒ 37.07
$31.75BMDΒ 31.75
48.09%
Apples(1kg)
$3.27CHFΒ 2.58
$10.16BMDΒ 10.16
-67.81%
Banana(1kg)
$2.15CHFΒ 1.69
$6.18BMDΒ 6.18
-65.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.01CHFΒ 2.37
$12.86BMDΒ 12.86
-76.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$7.76CHFΒ 6.12
$11.27BMDΒ 11.27
-31.14%
Potato(1kg)
$2.43CHFΒ 1.92
$8.15BMDΒ 8.15
-70.18%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27CHFΒ 1.79
$4.96BMDΒ 4.96
-54.23%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.59CHFΒ 2.04
$6.06BMDΒ 6.06
-57.26%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.04CHFΒ 0.82
$3.21BMDΒ 3.21
-67.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.36CHFΒ 8.96
$17.58BMDΒ 17.58
-35.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.29CHFΒ 12.05
$24.56BMDΒ 24.56
-37.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06CHFΒ 1.62
$5.47BMDΒ 5.47
-62.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42CHFΒ 2.70
$4.43BMDΒ 4.43
-22.80%
π Getting Around
Winterthur
Hamilton
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.02CHFΒ 3.17
$4.81BMDΒ 4.81
-16.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$125CHFΒ 98.8
$68.1BMDΒ 68.1
83.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$8.87CHFΒ 6.99
$6.40BMDΒ 6.40
38.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.96CHFΒ 3.91
$3.44BMDΒ 3.44
44.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$86.8CHFΒ 68.4
$54.8BMDΒ 54.8
58.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.22CHFΒ 1.75
$2.36BMDΒ 2.36
-5.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.1KCHFΒ 32.4K
$35.0KBMDΒ 35.0K
17.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$46.5KCHFΒ 36.6K
$39.7KBMDΒ 39.7K
16.98%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Winterthur
Hamilton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$254CHFΒ 200
$234BMDΒ 234
8.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$66.8CHFΒ 52.7
$117BMDΒ 117
-43.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.6CHFΒ 46.22
$156BMDΒ 156
-62.38%
π Sport & Entertainment
Winterthur
Hamilton
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$116CHFΒ 91.8
$191BMDΒ 191
-39.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$43.72CHFΒ 34.47
$32.31BMDΒ 32.31
35.31%
Cinema Ticket
$28.13CHFΒ 22.18
$13.73BMDΒ 13.73
104.88%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Winterthur
Hamilton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,685CHFΒ 2,117
$1,338BMDΒ 1,338
100.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$21.2KCHFΒ 16.7K
$24.5KBMDΒ 24.5K
-13.71%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Winterthur
Hamilton
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$215CHFΒ 169
$78.8BMDΒ 78.8
172.65%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$142CHFΒ 112
$60.9BMDΒ 60.9
132.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$225CHFΒ 177
$138BMDΒ 138
63.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$436CHFΒ 343
$126BMDΒ 126
247.12%
π Accommodation & Living
Winterthur
Hamilton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,217CHFΒ 1,748
$3,342BMDΒ 3,342
-33.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,703CHFΒ 1,343
$2,198BMDΒ 2,198
-22.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,471CHFΒ 2,737
$8,541BMDΒ 8,541
-59.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,633CHFΒ 2,076
$7,359BMDΒ 7,359
-64.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$24.2KCHFΒ 19.1K
$15.1KBMDΒ 15.1K
60.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$17.9KCHFΒ 14.1K
$9,439BMDΒ 9,439
89.56%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Winterthur
Hamilton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,668CHFΒ 5,257
$6,759BMDΒ 6,759
-1.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.5
7.22
-65.37%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Winterthur: May 31, 2026
Last update for Hamilton: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $2,217 in Winterthur versus $3,342 in Hamilton. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 1% higher in Hamilton, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $128 in Winterthur versus $177 in Hamilton. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $678 vs $813 β making Winterthur the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Winterthur vs Hamilton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Winterthur and Hamilton compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $4,133 in Winterthur, $4,831 in Hamilton β roughly 17% apart. Hamilton costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Winterthur compared to Hamilton?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,199 per month in Winterthur and $7,247 in Hamilton. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Winterthur and Hamilton?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Winterthur, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Winterthur or Hamilton?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,133 in Winterthur and $4,831 in Hamilton. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is feasible on a $5,000 budget?
$5,000 is a stretch for both β monthly costs hit $4,133 in Winterthur and $4,831 in Hamilton. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Winterthur and Hamilton?
It depends on your priorities. Hamilton has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $4,133 in Winterthur to $4,831 in Hamilton. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Winterthur or Hamilton safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Winterthur and Hamilton?
If budget matters most, go with Winterthur. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hamilton makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Winterthur vs other spots: cost of living compared