Cost of Living in Alice Springs - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,108 (excluding rent), and $1,820 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,947 (excluding rent), and $3,407 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.17 A$18.56
$9.88 A$13.93
$32.91 A$46.40
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8 A$111
$39.40 A$55.6
$98.5 A$139
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.94 A$14.02
$9.28 A$13.08
$10.60 A$14.95
Cappuccino
$3.59 A$5.06
$1.91 A$2.70
$4.15 A$5.85
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 A$3.48
$1.90 A$2.67
$4.42 A$6.24
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45 A$3.46
$2.22 A$3.13
$3.16 A$4.46
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.07 A$8.56
$2.95 A$4.17
$7.86 A$11.09
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.89 A$12.53
$7.61 A$10.73
$8.89 A$12.53
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.45 A$2.04
$1.00 A$1.42
$2.00 A$2.82
White Bread (500g)
$2.22 A$3.13
$1.13 A$1.59
$3.30 A$4.66
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.87 A$2.63
$0.89 A$1.26
$2.14 A$3.02
Eggs
$4.72 A$6.66
$2.98 A$4.21
$7.15 A$10.08
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.72 A$12.30
$6.36 A$8.96
$16.65 A$23.47
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.72 A$17.93
$7.23 A$10.20
$21.05 A$29.68
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.54 A$19.09
$7.72 A$10.89
$19.20 A$27.07
Apples (1kg)
$3.58 A$5.05
$2.64 A$3.72
$4.55 A$6.42
Banana (1kg)
$4.21 A$5.94
$3.88 A$5.47
$4.53 A$6.39
Oranges (1kg)
$4.08 A$5.75
$1.49 A$2.10
$7.49 A$10.57
Tomato (1kg)
$7.35 A$10.36
$5.34 A$7.53
$8.68 A$12.24
Potato (1kg)
$3.33 A$4.69
$1.67 A$2.35
$5.32 A$7.50
Onion (1kg)
$2.48 A$3.50
$2.12 A$2.99
$2.99 A$4.22
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.19 A$3.09
$1.34 A$1.88
$3.01 A$4.25
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 A$2.41
$0.53 A$0.75
$4.00 A$5.64
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$17.40 A$24.53
$15.38 A$21.68
$35.44 A$49.97
Wine (Bottle)
$15.99 A$22.54
$10.66 A$15.03
$24.86 A$35.06
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.14 A$4.42
$1.32 A$1.86
$4.95 A$6.99
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.32 A$7.50
$1.62 A$2.28
$9.03 A$12.73
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.60 A$2.26
$0.64 A$0.90
$2.56 A$3.60
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$64.8 A$91.4
$22.68 A$31.97
$64.8 A$91.4
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.43 A$4.83
$2.58 A$3.64
$5.81 A$8.20
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.25 A$1.76
$1.20 A$1.69
$1.29 A$1.82
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.38 A$49.89
$14.42 A$20.33
$38.66 A$54.5
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.32 A$1.86
$1.08 A$1.53
$1.46 A$2.06
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1K A$42.5K
$29.4K A$41.5K
$30.9K A$43.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0K A$29.7K
$21.0K A$29.7K
$23.1K A$32.6K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$195 A$275
$65.0 A$91.7
$325 A$458
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.32 A$38.51
$12.97 A$18.29
$48.63 A$68.6
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.5 A$93.7
$26.32 A$37.10
$135 A$190
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$65.5 A$92.4
$41.90 A$59.1
$77.4 A$109
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.31 A$23.00
$6.52 A$9.19
$26.09 A$36.79
Cinema Ticket
$13.02 A$18.36
$12.37 A$17.44
$14.32 A$20.19
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,344 A$1,894
$788 A$1,111
$1,930 A$2,721
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,713 A$3,826
$2,504 A$3,531
$2,922 A$4,120
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.9 A$101
$58.8 A$82.9
$78.4 A$111
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.41 A$16.08
$9.78 A$13.79
$13.04 A$18.39
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$142 A$200
$52.4 A$73.9
$197 A$277
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 A$150
$64.3 A$90.6
$161 A$227
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$626 A$883
$225 A$317
$860 A$1,213
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$559 A$788
$206 A$291
$1,031 A$1,454
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,440 A$2,031
$1,161 A$1,637
$1,612 A$2,273
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$637 A$898
$381 A$537
$1,313 A$1,852
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,586 A$6,467
$4,233 A$5,969
$4,939 A$6,964
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,793 A$6,758
$3,905 A$5,507
$5,681 A$8,010
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,539 A$6,400
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.34
5.45
7.2

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: March 2, 2026

Alice Springs Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

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Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Alice Springs - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the overall affordability of living in Alice Springs, Australia compare to other Australian cities?
Compared with coastal cities like Sydney or Melbourne, Alice Springs often feels more affordable for daily life, especially for longer stays. You’ll find cheaper rents outside the city center and solid value in local groceries and casual dining, though some imported goods carry a premium due to isolation. Utilities and internet are reliable, and many people share housing or choose flexible arrangements to keep costs manageable. Seasonal heat can shift routines, so planning around shoulder seasons helps budgeting. Cost of Living in Alice Springs, Australia. Tip: Start with a short stay in a few neighborhoods to test prices and transport options before committing.
What should you expect day-to-day in terms of housing, food, transport, and work options for a newcomer?
Housing leans toward practicality: you’ll find a mix of comfortable apartments and modest houses in several pockets outside the core, with options to share and reduce expenses. Groceries cover fresh local produce, with farmers’ markets offering seasonal bargains, plus reliable supermarkets for staples. Transport is flexible – driving is common, and rideshares or bikes work well for shorter trips; transit services exist but are not as dense as in bigger cities. Co-working spaces, cafes with reliable Wi-Fi, and library hubs support remote work. Alice Springs, Australia living cost. Tip: Consider a short-term rental while you test neighborhoods and commute patterns.
Which budgeting approach and neighborhood fit help maximize quality of life in Alice Springs?
Adopt a simple budgeting framework: lock in essential costs like housing and utilities first, then allocate for groceries and transport, and reserve a buffer for seasonal activities or travel. In Alice Springs, you can balance value with lifestyle by choosing a neighborhood that matches your pace – central areas keep you close to services, while quieter suburbs offer space and more affordable rents. Seasonal outdoor hobbies, like hiking or camping, can substitute for pricier entertainment. Plan ahead for heat and occasional travel to nearby national parks to keep leisure costs predictable. Tip: Share housing where possible and build a flexible plan that lets you adjust as you learn the lay of the land.

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