Cost of Living in Byron Bay - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $922 (excluding rent), and $2,117 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,993 (excluding rent), and $4,021 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.78 A$19.52

$10.86 A$16.6

$19.16 A$29.28

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.3 A$78.3

$48.06 A$73.4

$141 A$215

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.87 A$15.08

$9.21 A$14.07

$13.15 A$20.1

Cappuccino

$3.27 A$4.99

$2.94 A$4.5

$5.22 A$7.98

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

$1.27 A$1.94

$3.5 A$5.35

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.25 A$3.44

$1.68 A$2.56

$3.35 A$5.11

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.21 A$7.96

$4.56 A$6.97

$9.78 A$14.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.93 A$12.12

$5.95 A$9.09

$9.92 A$15.17

Milk (1 liter)

$1.55 A$2.37

$0.99 A$1.51

$2.55 A$3.89

White Bread (500g)

$2.2 A$3.37

$1.27 A$1.95

$3.51 A$5.36

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.9 A$2.9

$1.2 A$1.83

$4.66 A$7.12

Eggs

$4.32 A$6.6

$3.05 A$4.66

$5.72 A$8.74

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.29 A$12.67

$5.92 A$9.04

$15.79 A$24.13

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.48 A$12.96

$6.29 A$9.6

$11.25 A$17.19

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.68 A$20.91

$7.9 A$12.08

$19.77 A$30.21

Apples (1kg)

$3.2 A$4.89

$1.89 A$2.89

$4.41 A$6.75

Banana (1kg)

$2.88 A$4.4

$2 A$3.06

$4.67 A$7.13

Oranges (1kg)

$2.73 A$4.17

$1.43 A$2.18

$6.62 A$10.12

Tomato (1kg)

$4.2 A$6.41

$1.91 A$2.92

$5.74 A$8.76

Potato (1kg)

$2.42 A$3.7

$1.27 A$1.94

$6.35 A$9.7

Onion (1kg)

$2.33 A$3.57

$1.31 A$2

$3.27 A$5

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.2 A$3.37

$1.64 A$2.51

$5.23 A$8

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 A$1.9

$0.51 A$0.78

$2.55 A$3.9

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$31.1 A$47.52

$25.91 A$39.59

$38.87 A$59.4

Wine (Bottle)

$12.94 A$19.78

$6.47 A$9.88

$22.65 A$34.61

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.72 A$7.21

$2.67 A$4.07

$8.08 A$12.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.26 A$6.51

$2.34 A$3.58

$8.01 A$12.24

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 A$3.86

$1.84 A$2.81

$3.16 A$4.82

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.7 A$98.8

$22.62 A$34.57

$64.7 A$98.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.3 A$3.51

$2.04 A$3.11

$4.26 A$6.51

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.53 A$2.34

$1.4 A$2.14

$1.83 A$2.8

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.01 A$52

$32.96 A$50.4

$38.75 A$59.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.18 A$1.8

$1.03 A$1.57

$1.46 A$2.23

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

$28.4K A$43.3K

$25.5K A$39K

$28.7K A$43.9K

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

$22K A$33.7K

$20.6K A$31.4K

$23.8K A$36.3K

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

$143 A$219

$79.8 A$122

$271 A$415

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

$13.15 A$20.1

$52.6 A$80.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$38.57 A$58.9

$70.1 A$107

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.96 A$74.8

$19.59 A$29.94

$58.8 A$89.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.89 A$24.28

$7.9 A$12.07

$15.89 A$24.28

Cinema Ticket

$13.17 A$20.13

$10.54 A$16.1

$16.46 A$25.15

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

$1,594 A$2,436

$641 A$979

$2,453 A$3,748

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,975 A$13.7K

$3,979 A$6,080

$16.6K A$25.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$65.5 A$100

$45.88 A$70.1

$98.3 A$150

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.42 A$29.68

$64.8 A$99

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$64.9 A$99.2

$117 A$179

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 A$155

$65.7 A$100

$164 A$251

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,277 A$1,951

$1,052 A$1,607

$1,348 A$2,060

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,074 A$1,641

$668 A$1,021

$1,195 A$1,827

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,999 A$3,055

$1,612 A$2,464

$2,451 A$3,745

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,711 A$2,614

$1,325 A$2,025

$1,988 A$3,038

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$12.8K A$19.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$9,705 A$14.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,641 A$7,091

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.24

4.5

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

Last update: November 29, 2025

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Cost of Living in Byron Bay - Frequently Asked Questions

Byron Bay nudges toward the higher end of regional Australia, driven by natural beauty, limited supply, and a steady stream of visitors. If you value a laid-back beach lifestyle and robust outdoor scene, you will find value in flexible work setups, short commutes, and cafes that double as micro-offices. The market rewards those who prioritize longer stays, off-peak timing, and shared housing. Budget-minded travelers can still enjoy daily life with careful planning, seasonal shopping, and embracing local, affordable options in less touristed pockets. Cost of Living in Byron Bay reflects lifestyle as much as dollars. Tip: Start with a short test stay to sample neighborhoods and routines.

Day-to-day life centers on a mix of housing options – share houses, apartment blocks near the beach, or quieter spots a short bike ride from the main strip. Food comes from a lively array of cafes and farmers markets, plus small grocers with fresh produce. For getting around, biking and walking are popular, while buses cover the coast to hinterland ends; car sharing or a compact rental makes weekend trips easier. Co-working and wifi-friendly cafes are common, but reliable connection and a quiet corner sometimes depends on the time of day. Byron Bay living cost varies by area, so test several neighborhoods before committing. Tip: Start with short stays in a few neighborhoods to compare commute, noise, and vibe.

Quality of life here leans on natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a welcoming community, with a pace that rewards planning over impulse buys. A simple budgeting framework helps: track essentials (rent, groceries, utilities), set flexible leisure limits, and reserve occasional splurges for coastal outings. Seasonality brings busier streets and higher crowds in peak months, so consider shoulder seasons for better value and smoother services. To find the right neighborhood, balance proximity to beaches with quiet streets, access to markets, and sound levels at night. Local networks – co-working spaces, farmers markets, and neighborhood cafes – can boost your routine without breaking the bank. Tip: Build a flexible plan that adjusts for seasons and test different areas during different times of day.