😐A single person spends $2,538 per month in Australia vs $805 in Chile, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,664 per month in Australia vs $1,259 in Chile, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,789 per month in Australia vs $1,713 in Chile, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Australia is about 215% higher than in Chile on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Australia sits 85% above the global median, while Chile is 41% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Australia
Chile
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.15A$25.32
$8.68CLP 8,133
109.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$87.3A$122
$47.45CLP 44.5K
83.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.04A$15.41
$7.82CLP 7,331
41.18%
Cappuccino
$4.01A$5.59
$2.97CLP 2,785
35.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97A$4.15
$1.37CLP 1,281
116.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38A$3.33
$1.05CLP 980
126.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.91A$11.03
$3.69CLP 3,461
114.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.96A$11.11
$4.26CLP 3,991
86.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Australia
Chile
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.83A$2.55
$1.25CLP 1,170
46.40%
White Bread(500g)
$2.88A$4.02
$1.64CLP 1,538
75.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.39A$3.34
$1.56CLP 1,461
53.21%
Eggs
$5.19A$7.24
$3.62CLP 3,390
43.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.94A$13.88
$10.60CLP 9,935
-6.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.14A$12.76
$6.31CLP 5,914
44.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.28A$21.32
$11.40CLP 10.7K
34.04%
Apples(1kg)
$3.66A$5.11
$1.90CLP 1,784
92.63%
Banana(1kg)
$3.07A$4.29
$1.67CLP 1,562
83.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.24A$4.52
$1.66CLP 1,560
95.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.70A$6.55
$1.70CLP 1,595
176.47%
Potato(1kg)
$2.90A$4.04
$1.21CLP 1,136
139.67%
Onion(1kg)
$2.46A$3.43
$1.45CLP 1,354
69.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.50A$3.48
$1.24CLP 1,162
101.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.76A$2.46
$1.24CLP 1,161
41.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$38.84A$54.2
$5.47CLP 5,123
610.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.50A$20.24
$5.48CLP 5,140
164.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.92A$6.87
$1.42CLP 1,327
246.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.12A$7.14
$2.20CLP 2,059
132.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Australia
Chile
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.95A$4.12
$0.83CLP 778
255.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$94.9A$132
$40.83CLP 38.3K
132.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.65A$5.10
$0.84CLP 789
334.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.61A$2.24
$1.20CLP 1,128
34.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$40.79A$56.9
$12.43CLP 11.6K
228.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30A$1.81
$1.49CLP 1,393
-12.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.2KA$39.4K
$18.7KCLP 17.5M
51.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.5KA$41.2K
$19.8KCLP 18.5M
49.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Australia
Chile
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$204A$284
$115CLP 107.7K
77.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.50A$41.17
$12.76CLP 12.0K
131.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.7A$81.9
$22.53CLP 21.1K
160.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Australia
Chile
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.3A$80.0
$36.96CLP 34.6K
55.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.45A$27.15
$15.13CLP 14.2K
28.55%
Cinema Ticket
$15.70A$21.91
$6.43CLP 6,031
144.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Australia
Chile
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,139A$2,985
$368CLP 345.1K
481.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.4KA$25.7K
$6,920CLP 6.5M
166.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Australia
Chile
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$80.7A$113
$45.32CLP 42.5K
78.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.5A$80.2
$28.19CLP 26.4K
103.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117A$163
$62.1CLP 58.2K
88.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$128A$178
$75.6CLP 70.8K
68.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Australia
Chile
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,635A$2,281
$462CLP 433.2K
253.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,289A$1,799
$354CLP 331.8K
264.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,474A$3,453
$803CLP 752.9K
208.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,961A$2,736
$623CLP 584.1K
214.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,452A$11.8K
$2,340CLP 2.2M
261.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,152A$8,585
$2,077CLP 1.9M
196.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Australia
Chile
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,067A$5,675
$686CLP 642.8K
493.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.92
5.15
14.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Australia: August 31, 2026
Last update for Chile: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,423 in Australia vs $345 in Chile. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,824 in Canberra and $555 in Santiago.
💰Average salary: $3,932 in Australia vs $720 in Chile. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 312% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 136% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 789% more expensive in Australia.
⭐Salaries are 446% higher in Australia, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Australia.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Australia vs Chile: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia more expensive than Chile?
Chile is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 238% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Australia, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Australia consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Chile, contributing to the overall 238% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Australia or in Chile?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Chile, but in Australia it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Australia or to Chile?
Chile is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.