Cost of Living in Hamilton: Overall Expenses Guide

Hamilton is one of the best cities to study in Canada. The city offers a wide range of courses, suitable accommodation, expert teaching faculties, and several facilities for international students. Hamilton is also well known for its job opportunities, culture, and traditions. The cost of living in Hamilton for a family is CAD 4752, and for an international student, it is CAD 2244 including rent. However. the cost of living can vary on the basis of the location.

Budgeting carefully and exploring different options is essential to maximising your Hamilton living experience. In this guide, we’ll discuss various aspects of the cost of living in Hamilton, such as housing rent, transportation costs, healthcare costs, and overall affordability. It will help you make informed decisions if you consider relocating to this fantastic city. Keep reading to learn more about the cost of living in Hamilton.

Cost of Living in Hamilton

The average cost of living in Hamilton is around CAD 820 without rent. The city comes under the list of the top 15% of the most expensive cities in the world, That is, it is ranked 1386/9294 cities in the world. The average after-tax salary received in the city is CAD 2887. The amount is sufficient to cover the living expenses of 1.4 months. Hamilton is ranked as the 18th best city to live in Canada.

A person needs to know the average expenses before moving to Hamilton. The Cost of living in Hamilton includes living expenses, transportation expenses, and tuition fees, among others. To help expats planning to move to Hamilton, we have categorised the average Cost of living here into different categories. Here is the overview of the Cost of Living in Hamilton for various categories:

Also Read: Cost of Living in Birmingham: A Comprehensive Guide

Cost of Housing Rent in Hamilton

The major cost of living in Hamilton will go for the housing expenses of the student. Around CAD 1,900 is the typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. You can locate apartments for a little bit less if you’re willing to live outside of the city centre. Below we have provided the monthly rent, the internet bills, and more.

Particulars	Approx. Cost
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in a normal area	CAD 1,849
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation	CAD 2,575
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in an expensive area	CAD 1,482
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas …) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio	CAD 250
Microwave 800/900 watt	CAD 215
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month)	CAD 83
40” flat screen TV	CAD 438
Hourly rate for cleaning help	CAD 31

Cost of Transportation in Hamilton

Travelling expenses are a regular expense that a student must consider before moving abroad. On average, public transport costs around CAD 114 per month, and the good thing is that it comes under the overall cost of living in Hamilton budget which we have mentioned above. The mode of transportation in Hamilton is trains, buses, and cabs. The travel expenses that a student can incur are provided below:

Particulars	Approx. Cost
Monthly ticket public transport	CAD 114
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	CAD 3.50
Normal Tariff for 1km in Taxi	CAD 1.50
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas	CAD 1.49

Cost of Food in Hamilton

Cost of food in Hamilton’s restaurant is comparable to those in other significant Canadian cities. Food at inexpensive restaurant can cost you around CAD 20. Moreover the typical monthly grocery budget is roughly CAD 155. Food is another expense that will add up to the cost of living in Hamilton. Hence, we have provided the cost of basic food items below:

Particulars	Approx. Cost
Basic lunch menu (including a drink)	CAD 21
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole-fat milk	CAD 2.66
Combo meals in fast food restaurants (Big Mac meal or similar)	CAD 13
12 eggs, large	CAD 4.24
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese	CAD 8
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples	CAD 5
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes	CAD 2.63
1 bottle of red table wine	CAD 19

Also Read: Cost of Living in Boston – A Guide on Expected Expenses

Cost of Utilities in Hamilton

There are certain utility expenses that cannot be avoided. The cost of utilities also needs to be added to the cost of living in Hamilton. Monthly basic utility cost in Hamilton for a single person is Approx. CAD 268, which is relatively low compared to the cost of living in Calgary. For your reference, here is the Cost of Utilities in Hamilton:

Utility Type	Approx. Monthly Cost
Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc.	CAD 268
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	CAD 59
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	CAD 74

Cost of Personal Care in Hamilton

Basic personal care products like medicine, hair shampoo etc,. often cost affordable in Hamilton, but it will not affect the cost of living in Hamilton that much. The average costs of Personal Care in Hamilton are as follows:

Particulars	Approx Cost
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses)	CAD 6
Cold medicine for 6 days	CAD 6
1 box of 32 tampons	CAD 6
Hair shampoo	CAD 4.41
4 rolls of toilet paper	CAD 2.34
1 box of antibiotics	CAD 16
Short visit to a private doctor	CAD 47

Cost of Entertainment in Hamilton

The entertainment expenses also add up to the cost of living in Hamilton. The basis of entertainment expenses such as expenses of going out to the movies, gym membership expenses etc. is provided below:

Particulars	Approx. Cost
Movie ticket for one	CAD 13.3
1 cocktail drink in the downtown club	CAD 10
Ipad wi-fi 128GB	CAD 591
1 beer in a neighborhood pub	CAD 7
1 month of gym membership	CAD 55

Also Read: Cost of Living in Calgary: A Comprehensive Guide

Average Tuition Fees in Hamilton

Along with the average cost of living in Hamilton, tuition fees are the main expenses the student incurs while moving to Hamilton. However, the average tuition fees for international and domestic students differ. The average tuition fees in Hamilton for international students are provided below. Do note that the fees also vary based on the course and university a student has taken.

Particulars	Average Fees
Undergraduate international student	CAD 29000 – CAD 46000
Postgraduate international student	CAD 31000 – CAD 45000

Why Choose Hamilton to Study Abroad?

Hamilton is one of the most beautiful cities in Canada. Along with the affordable cost of living in Hamilton, various prestigious colleges in the city have excellent facilities for international students. There are several reasons why a student should choose to study at Hamilton. There are as follows:

• The cost of living in Hamilton is cheaper than the cost of living in Toronto. That is, 25% cheaper than Toronto. The city is also Canada’s industrial centre due to its iron and steel industry.
• The universities in Hamilton are some of the best universities in the world. For example, the University of Waikato,  Lincoln University, etc
• Graduating from Hamilton-based universities can help students study at some of the best-renowned companies around the world 

Things to Know Before Moving to Hamilton

Before finalising the cost of living in Hamilton’s budget, there are several things to consider before moving to a new country. Here are some facts that a student should know before packing their bags.

• Hamilton weather includes 4 seasons- summer, winter, fall, and spring. Although the weather is similar to Toronto, winter lasts here from November to March
• The public transportation system relies on the Hamilton Street Railway bus system. The charges vary depending on the distance.
• The average housing prices add to the cost of living in Hamilton. The housing prices are on the rise in this city.
• Immigrants make up approximately 25.94 per cent of the population.
• English is the most spoken language. However, other languages such as Arabic, Italian, Spanish, PSerbian, Urdu, Portuguese, Polish, Punjabi, Mandarin, etc. are also popular.
• Some of the popular employers in the region include- FirstOntario Credit Union, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, and  Airbus Helicopters Canada Ltd.

Relevant Reads:

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FAQs

This was all about the Cost of Living in Hamilton, Canada. If you have further queries or need assistance with your study abroad journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts at Leverage Edu. We are here to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for you.