😐A single person spends $2,184 per month in Australia vs $880 in Saint Helena, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,221 per month in Australia vs $1,411 in Saint Helena, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,257 per month in Australia vs $1,941 in Saint Helena, rent included.
😐Australia costs about 148% more than Saint Helena on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Australia sits 64% above the global median, while Saint Helena is 34% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
📏Australia has a wider regional cost range ($1,608–$2,789) than Saint Helena ($514–$1,245), so location matters more when choosing where to live in Australia.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Australia
Saint Helena
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.24A$22.97
$16.09SHP 11.98
0.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.5A$113
$55.1SHP 41.01
44.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.88A$13.97
$12.03SHP 8.96
-17.87%
Cappuccino
$3.57A$5.05
$3.02SHP 2.25
18.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59A$3.67
$1.20SHP 0.90
115.83%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14A$3.03
$1.17SHP 0.87
82.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.44A$9.11
$4.72SHP 3.51
36.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.99A$9.89
$2.73SHP 2.03
156.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Australia
Saint Helena
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.52A$2.15
$1.89SHP 1.41
-19.58%
White Bread(500g)
$2.48A$3.50
$1.79SHP 1.34
38.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.10A$2.97
$1.39SHP 1.03
51.08%
Eggs
$4.25A$6.02
$4.21SHP 3.13
0.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.04A$12.79
$8.21SHP 6.11
10.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.64A$12.22
$11.08SHP 8.25
-22.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.06A$19.89
$10.90SHP 8.12
28.99%
Apples(1kg)
$3.29A$4.65
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$2.80A$3.97
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.84A$4.02
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$4.42A$6.25
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.48A$3.51
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$2.16A$3.06
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.27A$3.21
$2.69SHP 2.00
-15.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.50A$2.13
$2.28SHP 1.69
-34.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$30.89A$43.71
$11.48SHP 8.55
169.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.98A$19.78
$15.51SHP 11.55
-9.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.42A$6.26
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.85A$6.86
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Australia
Saint Helena
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.91A$4.12
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$96.7A$137
$41.30SHP 30.75
134.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.68A$5.21
$2.70SHP 2.01
36.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.75A$2.48
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$38.19A$54.0
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15A$1.63
$2.58SHP 1.92
-55.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.2KA$41.3K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.4KA$31.7K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Australia
Saint Helena
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$178A$252
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.86A$38.00
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.7A$74.6
$164SHP 122
-67.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Australia
Saint Helena
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.75A$66.1
$13.60SHP 10.13
243.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.54A$23.40
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.61A$19.25
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Australia
Saint Helena
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,612A$2,281
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.5KA$17.7K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Australia
Saint Helena
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.5A$99.8
$41.33SHP 30.77
70.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.2A$72.4
$20.14SHP 15.00
154.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103A$146
$47.62SHP 35.46
116.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109A$155
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Australia
Saint Helena
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,394A$1,973
$693SHP 516
101.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,080A$1,529
$605SHP 450
78.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,268A$3,209
$704SHP 524
222.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,739A$2,461
$663SHP 493
162.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,445A$10.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,628A$7,963
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Australia
Saint Helena
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,996A$5,653
$773SHP 576
416.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.35
6.2
2.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Australia: June 14, 2026
Last update for Saint Helena: June 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $1,232 in Australia vs $707 in Saint Helena. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,583 in Canberra and $669 in Jamestown.
💰Average salary: $3,853 in Australia vs $789 in Saint Helena. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 74% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 31% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 68% more expensive in Australia.
⭐Salaries are 388% higher in Australia, giving Australia stronger purchasing power.
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 Saint Helena: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia more expensive than Saint Helena?
Saint Helena is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 150% 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 Saint Helena, contributing to the overall 150% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget in Australia or Saint Helena?
$1,500 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Saint Helena, but in Australia it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Australia or Saint Helena?
Saint Helena 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.