Cost of Living in Australia - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Australia
Address: AU

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,049 (excluding rent), and $2,325 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,563 (excluding rent), and $4,414 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.40 A$23.12

$10.50 A$14.81

$30.26 A$42.67

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.2 A$110

$52.1 A$73.5

$130 A$184

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.52 A$13.43

$8.89 A$12.53

$11.43 A$16.11

Cappuccino

$3.57 A$5.03

$2.65 A$3.74

$4.98 A$7.02

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

$2.55 A$3.59

$1.90 A$2.67

$3.48 A$4.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 A$3.12

$1.86 A$2.63

$3.33 A$4.69

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.41 A$9.04

$4.49 A$6.32

$9.62 A$13.57

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.22 A$10.17

$5.25 A$7.40

$9.85 A$13.89

Milk (1 liter)

$1.56 A$2.20

$0.99 A$1.40

$2.63 A$3.71

White Bread (500g)

$2.48 A$3.50

$1.43 A$2.02

$3.94 A$5.55

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.00 A$2.82

$1.14 A$1.61

$3.81 A$5.37

Eggs

$4.28 A$6.03

$2.69 A$3.79

$6.15 A$8.67

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.60 A$12.13

$5.70 A$8.03

$19.00 A$26.80

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.56 A$12.07

$5.95 A$8.38

$11.90 A$16.78

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.71 A$19.33

$7.68 A$10.82

$20.48 A$28.88

Apples (1kg)

$3.22 A$4.55

$1.96 A$2.77

$4.26 A$6.01

Banana (1kg)

$2.72 A$3.84

$1.92 A$2.71

$4.49 A$6.33

Oranges (1kg)

$2.94 A$4.15

$1.40 A$1.97

$5.89 A$8.31

Tomato (1kg)

$4.28 A$6.04

$2.06 A$2.91

$6.44 A$9.09

Potato (1kg)

$2.51 A$3.53

$1.31 A$1.85

$3.60 A$5.08

Onion (1kg)

$2.11 A$2.97

$1.28 A$1.80

$3.19 A$4.50

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.21 A$3.12

$1.29 A$1.82

$3.23 A$4.55

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.53 A$2.16

$0.52 A$0.73

$3.23 A$4.55

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$31.35 A$44.21

$25.80 A$36.38

$39.18 A$55.3

Wine (Bottle)

$14.09 A$19.86

$8.45 A$11.92

$19.73 A$27.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.43 A$6.24

$2.42 A$3.41

$7.68 A$10.82

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.07 A$7.15

$2.66 A$3.76

$7.99 A$11.27

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.90 A$4.09

$0.33 A$0.46

$4.51 A$6.35

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.6 A$138

$54.3 A$76.6

$150 A$211

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.55 A$5.01

$2.26 A$3.19

$6.45 A$9.10

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.84 A$2.60

$1.28 A$1.80

$3.20 A$4.52

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$37.44 A$52.8

$30.78 A$43.40

$53.9 A$75.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 A$1.62

$1.03 A$1.46

$1.35 A$1.90

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

$29.2K A$41.2K

$26.3K A$37.1K

$29.2K A$41.2K

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

$23.0K A$32.4K

$19.7K A$27.7K

$26.2K A$37.0K

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

$180 A$254

$99.2 A$140

$337 A$476

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

$25.91 A$36.53

$12.77 A$18.01

$44.70 A$63.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.5 A$74.0

$41.74 A$58.9

$70.0 A$98.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.04 A$67.7

$26.28 A$37.06

$84.1 A$119

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.66 A$23.49

$9.78 A$13.79

$22.81 A$32.17

Cinema Ticket

$13.87 A$19.56

$11.23 A$15.84

$17.83 A$25.15

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

$1,559 A$2,199

$768 A$1,083

$2,450 A$3,454

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.5K A$17.6K

$5,865 A$8,270

$26.1K A$36.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.2 A$99.0

$38.63 A$54.5

$96.6 A$136

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.4 A$72.5

$22.99 A$32.42

$92.0 A$130

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 A$142

$64.4 A$90.8

$142 A$200

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 A$158

$66.1 A$93.2

$172 A$242

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,361 A$1,919

$923 A$1,301

$2,133 A$3,008

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,083 A$1,527

$776 A$1,095

$1,618 A$2,281

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 A$3,287

$1,445 A$2,038

$4,452 A$6,278

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,718 A$2,422

$1,278 A$1,802

$2,607 A$3,676

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,612 A$10.7K

$4,987 A$7,031

$12.8K A$18.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,588 A$7,879

$3,512 A$4,952

$8,780 A$12.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,928 A$5,539

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: March 3, 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)
101	Ormond, VIC	8000	111	$980	$2,239	$2,733	$4,308	130.53	238.99
102	Pakenham	54118	112	$877	$2,231	$2,868	$4,446	97.83	238.99
103	Parramatta	19745	115	$915	$2,308	$2,450	$4,348	211.6	235.26
104	Penrith	-	109	$825	$2,166	$2,391	$4,171	136.86	235.26
105	Penshurst, NSW	-	112	$1,025	$2,232	$2,355	$4,294	133.34	235.26
106	Perth	2043762	116	$1,016	$2,280	$2,545	$4,434	137.63	232.39
107	Port Douglas	3500	112	$1,029	$2,196	$2,722	$4,363	18.29	87.89
108	Port Hedland	15298	112	$865	$2,283	$2,218	$4,309	238.7	136.69
109	Port Lincoln	14404	112	$996	$2,254	$2,305	$4,402	15.76	96.02
110	Port Macquarie	47793	103	$961	$2,047	$2,307	$3,988	272.62	157.75
111	Redcliffe	10460	113	$817	$2,244	$2,174	$4,147	182.29	229.48
112	Redland City	159222	104	$986	$2,041	$2,017	$4,033	133.8	229.48
113	Richmond	-	101	$780	$1,986	$2,383	$4,005	131.97	238.99
114	Rockhampton	63151	91	$1,139	$1,783	$2,274	$3,831	127.17	191.62
115	Romsey	4400	113	$927	$2,286	$2,238	$4,408	80.08	142.98
116	Sale	13673	112	$858	$2,267	$2,547	$4,298	77.27	166.63
117	Shepparton	49862	100	$1,012	$1,956	$2,163	$3,949	122.56	138.78
118	South Yarra	25147	109	$859	$2,195	$2,536	$4,282	253.08	238.99
119	Southern Cross	700	113	$1,025	$2,264	$2,050	$4,260	277.13	109.16
120	Springsure	-	112	$983	$2,243	$2,674	$4,272	236.73	166.21
121	Sunshine Coast	284131	99	$831	$1,998	$2,241	$3,972	13.61	140.61
122	Surfers Paradise	19668	96	$1,012	$1,884	$2,493	$4,533	112.5	207.03
123	Sydney	4840600	141	$1,111	$2,783	$2,711	$5,601	40.51	235.26
124	Taree	18110	112	$851	$2,232	$2,382	$4,385	88.5	123.33
125	Tarneit	34562	112	$1,062	$2,254	$2,724	$4,399	193.8	238.99
126	Tasmania	-	122	$1,329	$2,461	$3,040	$4,712	122.16	113.11
127	Toowoomba	108398	95	$800	$1,894	$2,490	$3,504	130.21	206.22
128	Townsville	173724	111	$978	$2,181	$2,321	$4,335	110.99	252.67
129	Tweed Heads	-	111	$1,003	$2,225	$2,266	$4,444	30.62	111.06
130	Wagga Wagga	49686	108	$838	$2,195	$2,538	$3,648	143.06	183.08
131	Wangaratta	19712	113	$1,120	$2,296	$2,637	$4,479	211.15	119.59
132	Wanneroo	-	107	$1,006	$2,131	$2,367	$4,122	455.8	244.36
133	Warragul	23051	113	$1,041	$2,290	$2,738	$4,426	211.55	176.97
134	Warrnambool	29284	110	$961	$2,184	$2,233	$4,325	202.78	171.64
135	Winmalee	-	116	$1,028	$2,334	$2,319	$4,410	44.31	235.26
136	Wodonga	20259	115	$1,118	$2,266	$2,650	$4,437	90.72	218.42
137	Wollongong	280153	97	$898	$1,941	$2,295	$3,600	32.94	228.74
138	Yamba NSW	-	110	$857	$2,166	$2,084	$4,099	-	-

Australia Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 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.