Cost of Living in Forbes - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Forbes
Address: Forbes, AU

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $865 (excluding rent), and $2,242 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,619 (excluding rent), and $4,286 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.27 A$23.11

$11.07 A$15.72

$32.54 A$46.21

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.6 A$109

$51.1 A$72.5

$128 A$181

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.54 A$13.55

$8.90 A$12.64

$11.45 A$16.25

Cappuccino

$3.52 A$4.99

$2.80 A$3.98

$5.05 A$7.16

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.51 A$3.56

$1.91 A$2.71

$3.18 A$4.52

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 A$3.08

$1.64 A$2.33

$2.96 A$4.20

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.57 A$9.33

$4.60 A$6.53

$9.21 A$13.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.07 A$10.04

$5.16 A$7.33

$9.69 A$13.76

Milk (1 liter)

$1.49 A$2.12

$1.00 A$1.42

$2.66 A$3.77

White Bread (500g)

$2.45 A$3.48

$1.47 A$2.09

$4.02 A$5.70

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.02 A$2.87

$1.19 A$1.69

$3.31 A$4.69

Eggs

$4.36 A$6.19

$3.14 A$4.46

$6.28 A$8.92

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.64 A$12.27

$6.30 A$8.94

$16.49 A$23.42

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.24 A$11.70

$6.05 A$8.60

$10.83 A$15.38

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.69 A$19.43

$7.81 A$11.09

$19.41 A$27.56

Apples (1kg)

$3.22 A$4.58

$2.25 A$3.20

$4.18 A$5.94

Banana (1kg)

$2.71 A$3.85

$1.90 A$2.69

$4.49 A$6.38

Oranges (1kg)

$2.96 A$4.20

$1.65 A$2.34

$5.87 A$8.34

Tomato (1kg)

$4.03 A$5.73

$2.24 A$3.18

$5.74 A$8.15

Potato (1kg)

$2.40 A$3.40

$1.27 A$1.80

$3.17 A$4.50

Onion (1kg)

$2.20 A$3.12

$1.33 A$1.90

$3.01 A$4.27

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.18 A$3.09

$1.33 A$1.89

$3.00 A$4.25

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.53 A$2.17

$0.51 A$0.73

$3.20 A$4.55

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$30.50 A$43.31

$25.68 A$36.47

$38.53 A$54.7

Wine (Bottle)

$15.55 A$22.08

$10.23 A$14.53

$23.61 A$33.52

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.62 A$6.56

$2.63 A$3.73

$7.88 A$11.20

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.25 A$7.46

$2.88 A$4.08

$7.66 A$10.87

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 A$3.62

$1.85 A$2.63

$3.19 A$4.53

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$66.2 A$94.0

$23.16 A$32.89

$66.2 A$94.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.54 A$5.02

$2.70 A$3.83

$5.78 A$8.20

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.53 A$2.18

$1.38 A$1.96

$1.81 A$2.56

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.18 A$48.53

$33.12 A$47.03

$41.40 A$58.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.18 A$1.68

$1.08 A$1.53

$1.41 A$2.01

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.1K A$41.3K

$26.2K A$37.2K

$29.1K A$41.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.1K A$31.4K

$20.5K A$29.1K

$25.6K A$36.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$187 A$265

$104 A$148

$332 A$471

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$27.37 A$38.86

$13.00 A$18.45

$48.73 A$69.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.5 A$76.0

$46.00 A$65.3

$69.5 A$98.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.96 A$68.1

$19.19 A$27.25

$57.6 A$81.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.65 A$22.22

$7.78 A$11.05

$15.65 A$22.22

Cinema Ticket

$13.21 A$18.76

$11.89 A$16.89

$18.49 A$26.26

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,626 A$2,309

$890 A$1,264

$2,211 A$3,140

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.0K A$17.0K

$6,463 A$9,177

$17.4K A$24.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$68.4 A$97.1

$41.47 A$58.9

$98.0 A$139

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.62 A$70.5

$25.54 A$36.26

$76.6 A$109

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.4 A$138

$63.8 A$90.5

$140 A$199

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 A$150

$64.1 A$91.1

$160 A$228

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,277 A$1,814

$1,052 A$1,494

$1,348 A$1,914

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,046 A$1,486

$651 A$925

$1,165 A$1,654

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,026 A$2,876

$1,634 A$2,320

$2,483 A$3,526

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,689 A$2,399

$1,309 A$1,858

$1,963 A$2,787

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,782 A$8,210

$4,984 A$7,078

$6,779 A$9,626

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,511 A$7,825

$3,845 A$5,459

$6,228 A$8,844

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.34

5.45

7.2

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: February 28, 2026

Forbes Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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Cost of Living in Forbes - Frequently Asked Questions

For most travelers, expats, and digital nomads, Forbes, Australia offers a practical balance between affordability and a solid local lifestyle. The Cost of Living in Forbes, Australia tends to be more approachable than major capitals, with housing options that range from compact rentals to shared arrangements that fit different budgets. You’ll enjoy reliable essentials, friendly neighborhoods, and a pace that supports focus work or leisure without the big-city premium. Some services or specialty dining may be more limited, so align expectations with your daily routines. Tip: map out a few neighborhoods and test transit to spot where costs and convenience meet.

Forbes, Australia living cost varies with location and lifestyle, but you typically find a straightforward balance of housing, groceries, and transport compared with big cities. For daily life, start with a short-term rental or furnished option to test an area before committing. Grocery shopping at local markets keeps costs reasonable, while cafes and restaurants offer affordable options during weekdays. Transport leans on car use or local buses, with cycling as a practical alternative. Co-working spaces can support remote work, and casual networking often happens in community hubs. Tip: focus on a central neighborhood with easy access to services and transit to keep daily costs predictable.

Quality of life in Forbes, Australia blends outdoor access, a sense of community, and practical services that suit varied budgets. A simple budgeting framework helps you stay on track: separate fixed costs (rent, utilities, transportation) from flexible spending (groceries, dining, entertainment), then set weekly limits and review them monthly. Expect seasonal shifts in housing demand and activity calendars; plan ahead for peak periods and slower stretches. Neighborhood fit matters – look for areas with safe streets, proximity to shops, good internet, and easy transit. Tip: test a few blocks at different times of day to gauge vibe, convenience, and overall value.