Cost of Living in Australia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Australia
Address: AU

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,054 (excluding rent), and $2,305 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,517 (excluding rent), and $4,491 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.48 A$23.08

$10.55 A$14.77

$30.41 A$42.58

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.8 A$108

$51.2 A$71.7

$128 A$179

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.50 A$13.29

$8.86 A$12.41

$11.39 A$15.95

Cappuccino

$3.41 A$4.77

$2.53 A$3.55

$4.75 A$6.66

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.59 A$3.62

$1.93 A$2.70

$3.54 A$4.95

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.20 A$3.08

$1.85 A$2.60

$3.31 A$4.63

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.35 A$8.89

$4.44 A$6.22

$9.53 A$13.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.00 A$9.80

$5.09 A$7.13

$9.56 A$13.38

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 A$2.09

$0.95 A$1.33

$2.52 A$3.53

White Bread (500g)

$2.44 A$3.41

$1.41 A$1.97

$3.86 A$5.41

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.09 A$2.92

$1.19 A$1.67

$3.97 A$5.56

Eggs

$4.31 A$6.04

$2.71 A$3.80

$6.20 A$8.68

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.99 A$12.58

$5.96 A$8.34

$19.86 A$27.81

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.47 A$11.85

$5.88 A$8.23

$11.77 A$16.48

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.71 A$19.19

$7.68 A$10.75

$20.48 A$28.67

Apples (1kg)

$3.15 A$4.41

$1.92 A$2.69

$4.16 A$5.82

Banana (1kg)

$2.70 A$3.78

$1.91 A$2.67

$4.45 A$6.23

Oranges (1kg)

$2.89 A$4.05

$1.38 A$1.93

$5.80 A$8.12

Tomato (1kg)

$4.42 A$6.19

$2.13 A$2.98

$6.65 A$9.31

Potato (1kg)

$2.51 A$3.51

$1.31 A$1.83

$3.60 A$5.05

Onion (1kg)

$2.09 A$2.93

$1.27 A$1.77

$3.16 A$4.43

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 A$3.19

$1.33 A$1.86

$3.32 A$4.65

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.52 A$2.12

$0.51 A$0.72

$3.20 A$4.48

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$31.27 A$43.77

$25.73 A$36.02

$39.08 A$54.7

Wine (Bottle)

$14.43 A$20.20

$8.65 A$12.12

$20.20 A$28.28

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.44 A$6.21

$2.43 A$3.40

$7.69 A$10.77

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.03 A$7.05

$2.64 A$3.70

$7.93 A$11.11

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.86 A$4.00

$0.32 A$0.45

$4.44 A$6.21

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$96.7 A$135

$53.8 A$75.3

$148 A$208

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.67 A$5.14

$2.34 A$3.28

$6.67 A$9.34

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.75 A$2.45

$1.21 A$1.70

$3.04 A$4.26

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$37.40 A$52.4

$30.75 A$43.04

$53.8 A$75.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 A$1.63

$1.04 A$1.46

$1.36 A$1.90

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.2K A$40.9K

$26.3K A$36.9K

$29.2K A$40.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.5K A$31.6K

$19.3K A$27.0K

$25.7K A$36.0K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$175 A$245

$96.4 A$135

$328 A$459

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$25.88 A$36.23

$12.76 A$17.86

$44.65 A$62.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.3 A$73.3

$41.63 A$58.3

$69.8 A$97.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.98 A$65.8

$25.70 A$35.98

$82.3 A$115

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.32 A$22.85

$9.58 A$13.42

$22.35 A$31.29

Cinema Ticket

$13.87 A$19.41

$11.23 A$15.72

$17.82 A$24.95

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,587 A$2,221

$782 A$1,094

$2,493 A$3,490

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.7K A$17.8K

$5,943 A$8,320

$26.4K A$37.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.3 A$98.4

$38.67 A$54.1

$96.7 A$135

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.95 A$69.9

$22.34 A$31.27

$89.4 A$125

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 A$141

$64.4 A$90.1

$142 A$198

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 A$156

$66.1 A$92.5

$172 A$241

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,406 A$1,968

$953 A$1,334

$2,204 A$3,085

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,109 A$1,552

$795 A$1,113

$1,656 A$2,318

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,269 A$3,176

$1,406 A$1,968

$4,332 A$6,065

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,772 A$2,480

$1,318 A$1,845

$2,689 A$3,764

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,610 A$10.7K

$5,020 A$7,028

$12.9K A$18.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,713 A$7,999

$3,604 A$5,046

$9,010 A$12.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,890 A$5,447

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.35

5.2

7.05

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

Last update: April 12, 2026

By City in Australia

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
51	Esperance	10218	112	$978	$2,232	$2,240	$4,275	84.48	102.13
52	Exmouth	3500	112	$958	$2,268	$2,140	$4,375	195.86	103.14
53	Forbes	-	112	$1,099	$2,243	$2,508	$4,245	132.01	151.75
54	Forster	20554	105	$1,032	$2,126	$2,519	$4,139	83.39	129.48
55	Frankston	-	104	$900	$2,047	$2,323	$4,043	158.97	236.06
56	Fremantle	-	109	$997	$2,137	$2,221	$4,196	123.79	202.35
57	Geelong	180239	119	$906	$2,382	$2,449	$3,919	200.22	223.98
58	Geraldton	32717	112	$935	$2,213	$2,463	$4,328	33.17	191.76
59	Gladstone	34703	112	$841	$2,221	$2,225	$3,990	101.34	188.73
60	Gold Coast	607665	128	$1,020	$2,570	$2,559	$4,791	404.43	204.33
61	Gosford	-	129	$1,079	$2,561	$2,581	$4,690	98.74	169.3
62	Goulburn	23963	105	$914	$2,120	$2,485	$4,287	38.75	133.31
63	Grafton	-	107	$923	$2,143	$2,525	$4,102	22.23	170.83
64	Griffith	20799	112	$986	$2,212	$2,485	$4,294	70.23	143.14
65	Gympie	19435	108	$890	$2,114	$2,603	$4,206	54.49	126.2
66	Hawkesbury City	62353	108	$900	$2,195	$2,485	$4,167	95.54	155.9
67	Hervey Bay	57722	106	$807	$2,110	$2,121	$4,063	86.95	191.63
68	Hobart	197451	124	$1,052	$2,496	$2,627	$4,557	254.54	183.74
69	Hoppers Crossing	38701	112	$903	$2,210	$2,124	$4,367	91.88	236.06
70	Horsham	14543	109	$871	$2,154	$2,524	$4,161	121.67	160.75
71	Ipswich	229208	108	$977	$2,184	$2,172	$4,028	136.59	232.97
72	Kalgoorlie	29068	90	$1,024	$1,814	$2,832	$4,312	52.67	140.37
73	Karratha	17013	117	$1,136	$2,374	$2,441	$4,555	144.03	118.96
74	Katoomba	8000	115	$1,129	$2,252	$2,489	$4,462	194.61	231.15
75	Kununurra	5300	112	$995	$2,200	$2,342	$4,293	68.88	94.01
76	Lake Macquarie	-	103	$994	$2,043	$2,441	$4,544	89.06	211.6
77	Latrobe Valley	-	112	$1,008	$2,202	$2,161	$4,291	272.08	169.18
78	Launceston	80943	102	$1,120	$2,002	$2,364	$3,704	20.06	230.7
79	Logan City	345098	91	$700	$1,822	$1,827	$3,696	192.27	232.97
80	Mackay	80455	102	$1,144	$2,018	$2,385	$4,402	150.35	208.4
81	Mandurah	-	107	$999	$2,119	$2,432	$4,137	109.27	228.87
82	Mansfield	8600	112	$927	$2,198	$2,727	$4,272	86.98	116.72
83	Margaret River	8000	112	$1,107	$2,234	$2,780	$4,407	52.8	107.38
84	Maroochydore	-	119	$848	$2,351	$2,676	$4,559	69.61	145.47
85	Melbourne	5031195	123	$1,079	$2,453	$2,675	$4,772	221.98	236.06
86	Mildura	34565	108	$893	$2,129	$2,381	$4,387	353.39	146.58
87	Millmerran	-	116	$1,095	$2,324	$2,958	$4,587	30.41	159.48
88	Moe	8700	107	$978	$2,090	$2,068	$4,046	262.68	169.18
89	Mount Gambier	26734	104	$1,187	$2,078	$2,730	$4,778	108.67	141.96
90	Mount Isa	17936	112	$1,049	$2,246	$2,730	$4,274	327.82	161.22
91	Mount Victoria	-	116	$872	$2,325	$2,636	$4,435	26.05	154.15
92	Mudgee	11563	111	$992	$2,203	$2,805	$4,292	210.94	140.91
93	Muswellbrook	-	109	$838	$2,175	$2,758	$4,260	39.12	189.12
94	Newcastle	-	116	$1,048	$2,297	$2,676	$4,600	179.27	219.09
95	Ningi	5000	112	$1,011	$2,201	$2,419	$4,106	27.79	232.97
96	Noosa Heads	-	105	$1,039	$2,109	$2,485	$4,571	114.65	127.83
97	Northam	6000	110	$856	$2,157	$2,502	$4,222	84.88	126.29
98	Nowra NSW	-	112	$1,016	$2,194	$2,356	$4,305	-	-
99	Nuriootpa	6300	115	$899	$2,250	$2,625	$4,418	187.91	116.16
100	Orange, NSW	40127	89	$929	$1,806	$2,230	$3,618	121.23	178.38

Australia Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Australia - Frequently Asked Questions

Australia offers a high quality of life with varied value across cities and regions. The Cost of Living in Australia varies by location, with capital cities tending to be pricier than regional hubs. Travelers, expats, and digital nomads who stay flexible about neighborhood and length of stay often find the best balance in mid-size cities and coastal towns, where housing and dining can be more affordable without sacrificing amenities. Seasonal demand, such as holiday periods or major events, can affect costs temporarily. A practical approach is to compare neighborhoods by commute, access to co-working spaces, and proximity to groceries or markets. Tip: Start with a two-week baseline in your top two areas to see where you feel most at home.

Daily life for Australia living cost awareness aside, your day-to-day will hinge on where you stay and how you move. Start with housing search by budgeting for a few types: a shared apartment near a transit hub, a studio with reliable internet, or longer-term leases in neighborhoods with markets and parks. Food options range from local grocers and cheap eateries to mid-range cafés; cooking at home often saves more than occasional dining out. Transport can be economical with monthly passes, bike lanes, and walkable streets. For remote work, a solid internet plan and a nearby co-working or café can sustain momentum. Tip: Plan backups for high season and keep a flexible schedule.

Quality of life in Australia includes outdoor access, safety, healthcare, and vibrant communities. Build a budgeting framework that separates fixed costs (rent, utilities) from discretionary spending (eating out, entertainment). Look for neighborhoods that match your work style – co-working spots, fast Wi-Fi, and safe, walkable streets. Consider the seasons: in many cities, summer heat or rains change commute and leisure timing. Shortlist two or three areas and test them with a live-in trial if possible. Use tools to compare utilities, internet, and transport options before signing a lease. Tip: choose a neighborhood that supports your work rhythm and social life.