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)
101	Ormond, VIC	8000	111	$1,071	$2,195	$2,471	$4,367	42.12	236.06
102	Pakenham	54118	112	$1,070	$2,272	$2,633	$4,440	132.57	236.06
103	Parramatta	19745	115	$1,002	$2,284	$2,235	$4,478	113.67	231.15
104	Penrith	-	109	$937	$2,162	$2,055	$4,248	142.53	231.15
105	Penshurst, NSW	-	112	$858	$2,258	$2,696	$4,331	122.19	231.15
106	Perth	2043762	116	$1,021	$2,311	$2,483	$4,504	68.26	231.75
107	Port Douglas	3500	112	$916	$2,243	$2,370	$4,414	356.1	117.9
108	Port Hedland	15298	112	$1,027	$2,238	$2,541	$4,337	37.82	131.6
109	Port Lincoln	14404	112	$980	$2,275	$2,509	$4,258	143.1	99.84
110	Port Macquarie	47793	103	$893	$2,060	$2,264	$3,885	248.58	150.93
111	Redcliffe	10460	113	$863	$2,208	$2,088	$4,146	50.34	232.97
112	Redland City	159222	104	$882	$2,051	$2,255	$3,899	44.94	232.97
113	Richmond	-	101	$888	$2,048	$2,393	$3,873	153.71	236.06
114	Rockhampton	63151	91	$1,055	$1,827	$2,123	$3,752	75.85	208.23
115	Romsey	4400	113	$947	$2,221	$2,265	$4,438	90.17	143.48
116	Sale	13673	112	$1,103	$2,272	$2,752	$4,340	61.9	145.6
117	Shepparton	49862	100	$1,118	$1,965	$2,790	$3,980	234.36	158.98
118	South Yarra	25147	109	$1,095	$2,196	$2,576	$4,288	243.64	236.06
119	Southern Cross	700	113	$1,138	$2,285	$2,071	$4,264	235.91	134.03
120	Springsure	-	112	$1,092	$2,282	$2,660	$4,354	183.74	160.51
121	Sunshine Coast	284131	99	$1,036	$1,999	$2,293	$3,943	77.6	145.47
122	Surfers Paradise	19668	96	$1,008	$1,892	$2,619	$4,487	135.83	204.33
123	Sydney	4840600	141	$1,108	$2,768	$2,706	$5,529	20.67	231.15
124	Taree	18110	112	$1,078	$2,199	$2,762	$4,329	189.68	129.48
125	Tarneit	34562	112	$1,130	$2,267	$2,811	$4,370	116.02	236.06
126	Tasmania	-	122	$1,250	$2,393	$2,977	$4,774	38.2	110.57
127	Toowoomba	108398	95	$1,044	$1,866	$2,150	$3,441	76.48	192.07
128	Townsville	173724	111	$993	$2,238	$2,300	$4,360	43.44	238.63
129	Tweed Heads	-	111	$1,129	$2,174	$2,259	$4,323	104.45	114.23
130	Wagga Wagga	49686	108	$919	$2,168	$2,420	$3,561	115.73	163.53
131	Wangaratta	19712	113	$932	$2,272	$2,572	$4,343	75	114.11
132	Wanneroo	-	107	$988	$2,142	$2,346	$4,037	108.11	249.58
133	Warragul	23051	113	$945	$2,212	$2,789	$4,298	430.77	163.85
134	Warrnambool	29284	110	$1,081	$2,172	$2,218	$4,297	174.81	194.72
135	Winmalee	-	116	$1,003	$2,350	$2,338	$4,475	211.77	231.15
136	Wodonga	20259	115	$867	$2,267	$2,478	$4,355	16.79	205.76
137	Wollongong	280153	97	$913	$1,936	$2,639	$3,624	348.92	224.47
138	Yamba NSW	-	110	$1,004	$2,202	$2,410	$4,098	-	-

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.