Hamilton vs Apia
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Apia is approximately 65% less expensive than Hamilton based on cost of living including rent. This makes Apia a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Apia has a FIRE Score of 80/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 75, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Apia is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Best in rowNew Zealand
Hamilton
Samoa
Apia
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Apia
About Samoa
Internet speed data is unavailable, but and no retirement visa (digital nomad visa available) make Samoa a hard sell for anyone not already island-bound. Rent outside the center at $150/mo is unbeatable, and a $545/mo cost of living excluding rent keeps budgets thin, but with a complex path to residency and a 27% top income tax, this works only as a cheap, temporary escape, not a long-term base.
Apia costs roughly 2.7x less than Hamilton. Hamilton scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Apia is approximately 65% less expensive than Hamilton based on cost of living including rent. This makes Apia a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Apia has a FIRE Score of 80/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 75, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Apia is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Hamilton
Hamilton is the rare city where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $808/mo and still walk home to a $756/mo one-bedroom outside the center, which is why the cost of living index sits at a modest 59/100 against a local net salary of $2,646/mo. The trade-off is scale: 177 thousand people, a medium expat community, and a temperate climate that rewards you with a 92/100 safety index and an air quality index of 25. Pair that with a 100 Mbps average internet speed and a $40/mo transport pass, and Hamilton quietly outperforms bigger New Zealand cities for digital nomads and early retirees alike. It will not dazzle you, but at these prices it does not have to.
About New Zealand
Skip this one if you need a retirement or digital nomad visa to make the move: neither exists here. With no dedicated income requirement pathway and only a 5/10 ease of access score, entry is bureaucratic. It works for high-earners chasing safety (Travel Advisory Level 1) and clean healthcare who can qualify through skilled work or investment routes.
$1,679/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Samoa
Internet speed data is unavailable, but and no retirement visa (digital nomad visa available) make Samoa a hard sell for anyone not already island-bound. Rent outside the center at $150/mo is unbeatable, and a $545/mo cost of living excluding rent keeps budgets thin, but with a complex path to residency and a 27% top income tax, this works only as a cheap, temporary escape, not a long-term base.
$1,805/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
Compare visas for these countriesBattle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Hamilton | Apia |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1071.57 | $650 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $756.34 | $500 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1497.41 | $1789.25 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1334.8 | $1769.21 |
| Safety Index | 92 | 75 |
| Internet Speed | 100.3Mbps | 40Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Hamilton | Apia |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $1,321/mo | $1,195/mo |
| Excluding rent | $565/mo | $695/mo |
| Rent | $756/mo | $500/mo |
| Groceries | $164/mo | $114/mo |
| Dining out | $121/mo | $473/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $93.00/mo | $35.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $147/mo | $73.00/mo |
| Transport | $40.00/mo | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths, side by side. Search by country, including Samoa and New Zealand.
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