🙂A single person spends $493 per month in Zimbabwe vs $2,184 in Australia, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $824 per month in Zimbabwe vs $3,221 in Australia, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,154 per month in Zimbabwe vs $4,257 in Australia, rent included.
🙂Zimbabwe is roughly 77% cheaper than Australia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Zimbabwe sits 63% below the global median, while Australia is 64% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zimbabwe
Australia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.06ZWL 188
$16.24A$22.97
-56.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.43ZWL 1,319
$79.5A$113
-37.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.91ZWL 158
$9.88A$13.97
-40.18%
Cappuccino
$2.68ZWL 71.6
$3.57A$5.05
-24.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71ZWL 19.04
$2.59A$3.67
-72.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45ZWL 12.11
$2.14A$3.03
-78.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.54ZWL 41.15
$6.44A$9.11
-76.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05ZWL 54.6
$6.99A$9.89
-70.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zimbabwe
Australia
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.57ZWL 41.98
$1.52A$2.15
3.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.01ZWL 26.97
$2.48A$3.50
-59.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91ZWL 50.9
$2.10A$2.97
-9.05%
Eggs
$2.13ZWL 56.9
$4.25A$6.02
-49.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.44ZWL 279
$9.04A$12.79
15.49%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.63ZWL 150
$8.64A$12.22
-34.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.81ZWL 155
$14.06A$19.89
-58.68%
Apples(1kg)
$2.70ZWL 72.1
$3.29A$4.65
-17.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74ZWL 46.52
$2.80A$3.97
-37.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.06ZWL 55.1
$2.84A$4.02
-27.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57ZWL 41.84
$4.42A$6.25
-64.48%
Potato(1kg)
$1.59ZWL 42.39
$2.48A$3.51
-35.89%
Onion(1kg)
$1.82ZWL 48.56
$2.16A$3.06
-15.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09ZWL 29.06
$2.27A$3.21
-51.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08ZWL 28.71
$1.50A$2.13
-28.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.38ZWL 36.81
$30.89A$43.71
-95.53%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.15ZWL 191
$13.98A$19.78
-48.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19ZWL 31.74
$4.42A$6.26
-73.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82ZWL 48.52
$4.85A$6.86
-62.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Zimbabwe
Australia
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.98ZWL 26.04
$2.91A$4.12
-66.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.97ZWL 800
$96.7A$137
-68.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.15ZWL 137
$3.68A$5.21
39.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95ZWL 51.9
$1.75A$2.48
11.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.08ZWL 136
$38.19A$54.0
-86.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.56ZWL 41.53
$1.15A$1.63
35.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.7KZWL 633.3K
$29.2KA$41.3K
-18.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.6KZWL 657.4K
$22.4KA$31.7K
10.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zimbabwe
Australia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$54.7ZWL 1,459
$178A$252
-69.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.41ZWL 465
$26.86A$38.00
-35.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$90.0ZWL 2,402
$52.7A$74.6
70.73%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zimbabwe
Australia
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.81ZWL 1,249
$46.75A$66.1
0.13%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.95ZWL 292
$16.54A$23.40
-33.80%
Cinema Ticket
$10.02ZWL 268
$13.61A$19.25
-26.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zimbabwe
Australia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$218ZWL 5,825
$1,612A$2,281
-86.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,312ZWL 221.8K
$12.5KA$17.7K
-33.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zimbabwe
Australia
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.38ZWL 490
$70.5A$99.8
-73.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.33ZWL 516
$51.2A$72.4
-62.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$37.74ZWL 1,007
$103A$146
-63.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.95ZWL 1,146
$109A$155
-60.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zimbabwe
Australia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$334ZWL 8,910
$1,394A$1,973
-76.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$225ZWL 5,997
$1,080A$1,529
-79.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$799ZWL 21.3K
$2,268A$3,209
-64.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$548ZWL 14.6K
$1,739A$2,461
-68.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$842ZWL 22.5K
$7,445A$10.5K
-88.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$387ZWL 10.3K
$5,628A$7,963
-93.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zimbabwe
Australia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$341ZWL 9,093
$3,996A$5,653
-91.47%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.5
6.35
112.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zimbabwe: June 15, 2026
Last update for Australia: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $105 in Zimbabwe vs $1,232 in Australia. For reference, capital cities sit at $398 in Harare and $1,583 in Canberra.
💰Average salary: $354 in Zimbabwe vs $3,853 in Australia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 1073% higher in Australia.
⭐Dining out costs 141% more in Australia.
⭐Public transport is 644% more expensive in Australia.
⭐Salaries are 988% 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
Zimbabwe vs Australia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia more expensive than Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 333% 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 Zimbabwe, contributing to the overall 333% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Australia or Zimbabwe?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Zimbabwe, but in Australia it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Australia or Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe 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.