City vs city

Vancouver vs Hamilton

Vancouver is bigger (3,088,036 vs 871,143). Vancouver has higher rent for a two-bedroom ($2,364 vs $1,659). Hamilton has higher median household income ($91,000 vs $90,000). Vancouver has milder winters, with January averaging (4.1°C vs -5.5°C). Vancouver has longer commutes (27.3 min vs 24.9 min).

VancouverHamilton
People
Population (latest est.)3,088,036871,143
Growth since 2021+11.4%+6.5%
Median age40.841.6
Immigrants41.8%25.6%
Speak English & French6.5%6.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher (25–64)43.2%34.3%
Money
Median household income$90,000$91,000
Unemployment rate7.0%7.4%
Inflation (CPI, 12 months)+3.0%—
Housing
Avg. 1-bedroom rent$1,807$1,402
Avg. 2-bedroom rent$2,364$1,659
Rent change, 5 years+31.4%+28.4%
Vacancy rate3.7%3.6%
Median home value$1,050,000$755,000
Homeowners62.1%68.6%
Spend 30%+ on housing29.8%23.0%
Getting around
Average commute27.3 min24.9 min
Take transit14.9%6.5%
Walk or bike8.2%5.0%
Safety
Crime Severity Index83.554.8
Climate
January average4.1°C-5.5°C
July daily high22.1°C26.5°C
Snow per year38 cm157 cm
Precipitation per year1,189 mm930 mm

Green marks the generally more favourable value where one exists. Census figures are from 2021; rent, jobs, prices and population are the latest releases.

Average temperature by month

-9°-0°8°16°24°JanMarMayJulSep
VancouverHamilton

Two-bedroom rent over time

$881$1,292$1,702$2,112$2,52320152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
VancouverHamilton