For one person, living is cheaper in Eswatini: $730 a month against $2,539 in Australia, rent and utilities included – about $21,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
How much you'll spend in Eswatini and in Australia
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Eswatini and in Australia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends $730 per month in Eswatini vs $2,539 in Australia, rent included.
Eswatini $730
Australia $2,539
A couple spends around $1,247 per month in Eswatini vs $3,716 in Australia, rent included.
Eswatini $1,247
Australia $3,716
A family of three spends $1,763 per month in Eswatini vs $4,892 in Australia, rent included.
Eswatini $1,763
Australia $4,892
🌍
The cost of living in Eswatini is roughly 71% lower than in Australia on average.
📊
Eswatini sits 46% below the global median, while Australia is 87% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.69SZL 93.6
$17.35A$24.97
-67.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.19SZL 530
$84.5A$122
-61.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.88SZL 96.7
$10.98A$15.79
-46.45%
Cappuccino
$2.03SZL 33.38
$3.84A$5.53
-47.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.96SZL 15.82
$2.89A$4.16
-66.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51SZL 8.32
$2.29A$3.29
-77.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.86SZL 30.63
$7.79A$11.21
-76.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96SZL 32.19
$8.42A$12.12
-76.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.26SZL 20.73
$1.75A$2.52
-28.00%
White Bread(500g)
$0.97SZL 16.05
$2.78A$4.00
-65.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.65SZL 27.18
$2.31A$3.33
-28.57%
Eggs
$1.62SZL 26.63
$4.89A$7.04
-66.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.55SZL 223
$9.95A$14.32
36.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.66SZL 110
$9.06A$13.03
-26.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.98SZL 82.0
$14.92A$21.46
-66.62%
Apples(1kg)
$2.37SZL 39.04
$3.65A$5.25
-35.07%
Banana(1kg)
$0.67SZL 10.98
$3.03A$4.36
-77.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.49SZL 24.52
$3.24A$4.66
-54.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.38SZL 22.67
$4.69A$6.76
-70.58%
Potato(1kg)
$1.54SZL 25.30
$2.85A$4.11
-45.96%
Onion(1kg)
$1.57SZL 25.88
$2.32A$3.34
-32.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72SZL 11.88
$2.43A$3.50
-70.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82SZL 13.55
$1.66A$2.39
-50.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98SZL 49.00
$38.47A$55.4
-92.25%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.30SZL 87.3
$13.84A$19.92
-61.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88SZL 14.56
$4.87A$7.01
-81.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38SZL 22.69
$5.28A$7.59
-73.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.75SZL 12.39
$2.71A$3.90
-72.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.40SZL 402
$94.0A$135
-74.04%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.86SZL 30.61
$3.57A$5.14
-47.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.55SZL 25.56
$1.63A$2.35
-4.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.44SZL 56.7
$40.04A$57.6
-91.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26SZL 20.69
$1.33A$1.91
-5.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.4KSZL 237.8K
$29.1KA$41.9K
-50.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.8KSZL 276.7K
$25.7KA$37.0K
-34.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.8SZL 1,363
$205A$296
-59.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.56SZL 569
$28.24A$40.63
22.38%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.58SZL 454
$57.0A$82.0
-51.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.11SZL 347
$55.4A$79.7
-61.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.80SZL 46.15
$19.46A$28.01
-85.61%
Cinema Ticket
$3.74SZL 61.6
$15.06A$21.66
-75.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$2,097A$3,017
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,360SZL 104.7K
$18.0KA$26.0K
-64.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.82SZL 573
$78.0A$112
-55.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.45SZL 320
$55.3A$79.6
-64.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.4SZL 1,176
$112A$161
-36.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$54.9SZL 904
$122A$175
-54.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$205SZL 3,371
$1,559A$2,244
-86.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$140SZL 2,311
$1,215A$1,748
-88.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$605SZL 9,949
$2,435A$3,504
-75.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$451SZL 7,425
$1,924A$2,769
-76.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$343SZL 5,642
$8,175A$11.8K
-95.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$257SZL 4,237
$6,060A$8,721
-95.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$690SZL 11.4K
$4,038A$5,811
-82.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.12
5.94
53.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Eswatini: October 19, 2026
Last update for Australia: October 19, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🛒Groceries & Markets
Eswatini
$191 26.2%
Australia
$372 14.7% ↑ 94.6%$181
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Eswatini
$145 19.9%
Australia
$291 11.4% ↑ 100%$146
🏠Accommodation & Living
Eswatini
$140 19.2%
Australia
$1.2K 47.8% ↑ 765%$1.1K
🍽Eating Out
Eswatini
$107 14.6%
Australia
$294 11.6% ↑ 176%$188
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Eswatini
$81 11.1%
Australia
$165 6.5% ↑ 103%$84
🚌Getting Around
Eswatini
$37 5.1%
Australia
$117 4.6% ↑ 215%$80
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Eswatini
$29 3.9%
Australia
$85 3.4% ↑ 199%$57
🛒Groceries & Markets
Eswatini
$443 25.1%
Australia
$844 17.3% ↑ 90.4%$401
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Eswatini
$180 10.2%
Australia
$319 6.5% ↑ 77.6%$139
🏠Accommodation & Living
Eswatini
$451 25.6%
Australia
$1.9K 39.3% ↑ 327%$1.5K
🍽Eating Out
Eswatini
$373 21.2%
Australia
$1K 20.6% ↑ 171%$636
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Eswatini
$181 10.3%
Australia
$367 7.5% ↑ 103%$186
🚌Getting Around
Eswatini
$76 4.3%
Australia
$239 4.9% ↑ 216%$163
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Eswatini
$60 3.4%
Australia
$190 3.9% ↑ 217%$130
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $113 in Eswatini vs $1,364 in Australia. For reference, capital cities sit at $273 in Mbabane and $1,719 in Canberra.
💰Average salary: $638 in Eswatini vs $3,853 in Australia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 1107% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 583% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 1400% more expensive in Australia.
⭐Salaries are 504% higher in Australia, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Australia.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
Eswatini vs Australia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia more expensive than Eswatini?
Eswatini is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 248% lower on average.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Australia: a central one-bedroom averages $1,364 versus $113 in Eswatini.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, public transport, and eating out all cost less in Eswatini, adding to the overall 248% price gap.
Is $1,200 a realistic budget in Australia or in Eswatini?
$1,200 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Eswatini, but in Australia it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Australia or to Eswatini?
Eswatini 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.