😐A single person spends $2,058 per month in Port Macquarie vs $1,798 in La Spezia, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,026 per month in Port Macquarie vs $2,647 in La Spezia, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,993 per month in Port Macquarie vs $3,495 in La Spezia, rent included.
😐Port Macquarie costs about 14% more than La Spezia, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Port Macquarie and La Spezia sit above the global median – Port Macquarie by 54%, La Spezia by 35%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Port Macquarie
La Spezia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.03A$22.96
$17.69€15.48
-9.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$66.2A$94.8
$80.7€70.6
-17.99%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.63A$12.37
$9.55€8.35
-9.63%
Cappuccino
$3.43A$4.91
$1.99€1.74
72.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42A$3.47
$3.18€2.78
-23.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60A$2.29
$1.39€1.22
15.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.99A$8.58
$5.75€5.03
4.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.77A$8.26
$4.78€4.18
20.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Port Macquarie
La Spezia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36A$1.95
$1.38€1.21
-1.45%
White Bread(500g)
$2.33A$3.34
$2.01€1.76
15.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.20A$3.15
$2.63€2.30
-16.35%
Eggs
$3.77A$5.41
$4.23€3.70
-10.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.29A$4.71
$14.43€12.63
-77.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.50A$10.75
$14.50€12.68
-48.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.68A$13.88
$19.38€16.96
-50.05%
Apples(1kg)
$3.22A$4.62
$2.64€2.31
21.97%
Banana(1kg)
$2.66A$3.81
$2.19€1.91
21.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.60A$3.73
$2.45€2.14
6.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.63A$5.20
$2.86€2.50
26.92%
Potato(1kg)
$2.74A$3.92
$2.62€2.29
4.58%
Onion(1kg)
$2.20A$3.14
$1.77€1.55
24.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.66A$2.38
$1.41€1.23
17.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08A$1.54
$0.47€0.41
129.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$26.20A$37.54
$6.97€6.10
275.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.50A$15.04
$6.63€5.80
58.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.81A$5.46
$1.72€1.51
121.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04A$4.36
$1.89€1.65
60.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Port Macquarie
La Spezia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.62A$3.75
$1.73€1.51
51.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$65.6A$93.9
$38.72€33.88
69.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.29A$3.28
$4.81€4.21
-52.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.60A$2.29
$1.04€0.91
53.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$37.92A$54.3
$32.77€28.67
15.72%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.16A$1.66
$2.10€1.84
-44.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.0KA$34.4K
$28.1K€24.6K
-14.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9KA$29.9K
$27.1K€23.7K
-22.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Macquarie
La Spezia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.3A$121
$264€231
-68.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.48A$33.64
$13.12€11.48
78.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.5A$80.9
$31.29€27.37
80.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Port Macquarie
La Spezia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.06A$70.3
$62.9€55.1
-22.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.62A$22.37
$17.95€15.71
-12.98%
Cinema Ticket
$9.72A$13.92
$10.67€9.34
-8.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Port Macquarie
La Spezia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$897A$1,285
$573€501
56.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.2KA$17.5K
$11.2K€9,780
9.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Port Macquarie
La Spezia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.1A$108
$67.0€58.7
11.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.00A$64.5
$42.45€37.14
6.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.2A$129
$82.8€72.5
8.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111A$159
$118€103
-6.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Port Macquarie
La Spezia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,242A$1,779
$761€666
63.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,053A$1,509
$592€518
77.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,039A$2,921
$1,171€1,025
74.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,649A$2,363
$914€800
80.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,163A$8,829
$2,876€2,516
114.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,126A$7,344
$2,375€2,078
115.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Port Macquarie
La Spezia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,758A$3,951
$1,767€1,546
56.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
4.24
41.51%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Port Macquarie: July 13, 2026
Last update for La Spezia: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,242 in Port Macquarie versus $761 in La Spezia. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 56% higher in Port Macquarie, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $66.0 in Port Macquarie versus $81.0 in La Spezia. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $276 vs $334 – making Port Macquarie the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Port Macquarie vs La Spezia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Spezia cheaper than Port Macquarie?
Yes – Port Macquarie is pricier by about 14%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,088 per month in Port Macquarie and $2,697 in La Spezia. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in La Spezia, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $897 per month in Port Macquarie and $573 in La Spezia. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Port Macquarie and in La Spezia?
Interestingly, groceries are about 21% cheaper in Port Macquarie – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for living in Port Macquarie or in La Spezia?
A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in La Spezia, where all-in costs run around $1,798, than in Port Macquarie at $2,058. In La Spezia it covers expenses comfortably, while in Port Macquarie it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Port Macquarie or La Spezia more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward La Spezia – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Port Macquarie or La Spezia?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with La Spezia. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Port Macquarie makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Port Macquarie vs other spots: cost of living compared