😐A single person spends $2,547 per month in Australia vs $620 in Mongolia, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,678 per month in Australia vs $1,016 in Mongolia, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,808 per month in Australia vs $1,411 in Mongolia, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Australia is about 311% higher than in Mongolia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Australia sits 85% above the global median, while Mongolia is 55% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Australia
Mongolia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.74A$24.73
$5.61MNT 20.2K
216.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$86.9A$121
$31.00MNT 111.5K
180.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.35A$15.82
$5.30MNT 19.1K
114.15%
Cappuccino
$3.99A$5.57
$2.34MNT 8,430
70.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97A$4.14
$0.79MNT 2,848
275.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51A$3.50
$0.58MNT 2,069
332.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.75A$10.80
$2.33MNT 8,371
232.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.07A$11.25
$3.41MNT 12.3K
136.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Australia
Mongolia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.76A$2.46
$1.41MNT 5,082
24.82%
White Bread(500g)
$2.87A$4.00
$0.94MNT 3,390
205.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.37A$3.31
$2.10MNT 7,553
12.86%
Eggs
$5.11A$7.13
$2.11MNT 7,574
142.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.13A$14.13
$9.50MNT 34.2K
6.63%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.57A$13.35
$5.13MNT 18.5K
86.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.59A$21.74
$6.52MNT 23.5K
139.11%
Apples(1kg)
$3.83A$5.34
$3.09MNT 11.1K
23.95%
Banana(1kg)
$3.13A$4.36
$2.19MNT 7,889
42.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.35A$4.67
$3.78MNT 13.6K
-11.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.88A$6.80
$3.06MNT 11.0K
59.48%
Potato(1kg)
$2.92A$4.07
$0.78MNT 2,803
274.36%
Onion(1kg)
$2.36A$3.29
$0.94MNT 3,372
151.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.46A$3.43
$1.67MNT 5,988
47.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.70A$2.38
$0.76MNT 2,731
123.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$39.46A$55.0
$1.69MNT 6,093
2234.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.69A$20.48
$9.63MNT 34.6K
52.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.07A$7.07
$1.44MNT 5,180
252.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.36A$7.48
$1.77MNT 6,375
202.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Australia
Mongolia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.84A$3.96
$0.29MNT 1,054
879.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$97.3A$136
$16.82MNT 60.5K
478.36%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.56A$4.96
$0.51MNT 1,828
598.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.68A$2.34
$0.57MNT 2,064
194.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$40.94A$57.1
$6.22MNT 22.4K
558.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35A$1.88
$1.05MNT 3,779
28.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1KA$40.5K
$27.7KMNT 99.7M
4.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.5KA$41.1K
$32.3KMNT 116.2M
-8.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Australia
Mongolia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$207A$289
$71.5MNT 257.1K
190.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.34A$40.91
$7.32MNT 26.3K
300.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$60.0A$83.7
$12.23MNT 44.0K
390.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Australia
Mongolia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.3A$82.6
$67.5MNT 242.7K
-12.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.28A$28.27
$17.39MNT 62.5K
16.62%
Cinema Ticket
$16.04A$22.36
$4.11MNT 14.8K
290.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Australia
Mongolia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,194A$3,059
$771MNT 2.8M
184.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.6KA$26.0K
$8,119MNT 29.2M
129.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Australia
Mongolia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.1A$113
$78.7MNT 283.1K
2.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.9A$79.3
$48.67MNT 175.0K
16.87%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$119A$165
$101MNT 362.5K
17.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126A$176
$166MNT 598.0K
-24.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Australia
Mongolia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,637A$2,282
$575MNT 2.1M
184.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,306A$1,821
$433MNT 1.6M
201.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,589A$3,609
$1,646MNT 5.9M
57.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,963A$2,737
$989MNT 3.6M
98.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,394A$11.7K
$1,783MNT 6.4M
370.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,140A$8,560
$937MNT 3.4M
554.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Australia
Mongolia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,067A$5,670
$580MNT 2.1M
601.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.93
9.6
-38.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Australia: September 6, 2026
Last update for Mongolia: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,426 in Australia vs $168 in Mongolia. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,845 in Canberra and $586 in Ulaanbaatar.
💰Average salary: $3,945 in Australia vs $444 in Mongolia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 749% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 240% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 1043% more expensive in Australia.
⭐Salaries are 789% 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 Mongolia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia more expensive than Mongolia?
Mongolia is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 294% 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 Mongolia, contributing to the overall 294% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Australia or in Mongolia?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Mongolia, but in Australia it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Australia or to Mongolia?
Mongolia 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.