🙂A single person spends $246 per month in Eswatini vs $2,186 in Australia, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $386 per month in Eswatini vs $3,219 in Australia, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $525 per month in Eswatini vs $4,252 in Australia, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Eswatini is roughly 89% lower than in Australia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Eswatini sits 82% below the global median, while Australia is 64% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.71SZL 28.76
$16.37A$23.49
-89.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.70SZL 465
$77.7A$111
-64.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.33SZL 39.20
$9.59A$13.77
-75.70%
Cappuccino
$1.68SZL 28.15
$3.45A$4.95
-51.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81SZL 13.66
$2.63A$3.78
-69.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51SZL 8.64
$2.14A$3.07
-76.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.51SZL 25.42
$6.34A$9.10
-76.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72SZL 28.85
$7.03A$10.09
-75.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05SZL 17.69
$1.52A$2.19
-30.92%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79SZL 13.30
$2.50A$3.59
-68.40%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27SZL 21.40
$2.06A$2.96
-38.35%
Eggs
$1.49SZL 25.03
$4.22A$6.05
-64.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.91SZL 150
$8.96A$12.86
-0.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.88SZL 65.1
$8.35A$11.98
-53.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.63SZL 77.8
$13.74A$19.71
-66.30%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37SZL 22.95
$3.14A$4.50
-56.37%
Banana(1kg)
$0.74SZL 12.44
$2.73A$3.92
-72.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.14SZL 19.08
$2.93A$4.21
-61.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.41SZL 23.75
$4.43A$6.36
-68.17%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96SZL 16.16
$2.56A$3.68
-62.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.03SZL 17.27
$2.12A$3.05
-51.42%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.57SZL 9.52
$2.18A$3.13
-73.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79SZL 13.28
$1.57A$2.25
-49.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.72SZL 45.65
$30.82A$44.22
-91.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.10SZL 85.6
$14.17A$20.33
-64.01%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02SZL 17.19
$4.60A$6.60
-77.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43SZL 24.05
$4.87A$6.99
-70.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89SZL 14.91
$2.99A$4.29
-70.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.91SZL 503
$96.7A$139
-69.07%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.28SZL 55.1
$3.53A$5.06
-7.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.77SZL 46.53
$1.81A$2.60
53.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.30SZL 55.4
$37.32A$53.6
-91.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22SZL 20.56
$1.16A$1.66
5.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.7KSZL 281.4K
$29.4KA$42.2K
-43.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.6KSZL 312.0K
$22.6KA$32.4K
-17.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.9SZL 1,241
$176A$252
-57.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.54SZL 463
$26.75A$38.38
2.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.82SZL 467
$53.9A$77.3
-48.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.02SZL 471
$47.11A$67.6
-40.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.03SZL 84.5
$16.57A$23.77
-69.64%
Cinema Ticket
$3.41SZL 57.3
$13.42A$19.26
-74.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$108SZL 1,814
$1,572A$2,255
-93.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,511SZL 75.8K
$12.7KA$18.3K
-64.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.29SZL 694
$70.8A$102
-41.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.06SZL 438
$50.0A$71.8
-47.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$63.4SZL 1,065
$101A$145
-37.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.6SZL 1,254
$111A$160
-32.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$241SZL 4,051
$1,372A$1,969
-82.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$144SZL 2,427
$1,077A$1,545
-86.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$437SZL 7,339
$2,353A$3,377
-81.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$319SZL 5,365
$1,747A$2,507
-81.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$342SZL 5,750
$7,882A$11.3K
-95.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$251SZL 4,214
$5,906A$8,474
-95.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Eswatini
Australia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$501SZL 8,419
$3,960A$5,682
-87.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.12
6.35
43.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Eswatini: July 21, 2026
Last update for Australia: July 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $83.0 in Eswatini vs $1,230 in Australia. For reference, capital cities sit at $264 in Mbabane and $1,556 in Canberra.
💰Average salary: $622 in Eswatini vs $3,824 in Australia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 1382% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 670% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 1017% more expensive in Australia.
⭐Salaries are 515% higher in Australia, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Eswatini.
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 486% 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 Eswatini, contributing to the overall 486% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
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.