Last update: Oct 2026 Australia 17.9K

Cost of Living in Mount Isa

For one person, living costs in Mount Isa are estimated at $2,629 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than half of the total. Other living expenses average about $38 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mount Isa

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Mount Isa actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $2,629 monthly including rent, or $1,141 excluding housing.

$2,629 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,759 with rent, or $1,989 without housing.

$3,759 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,890 including rent, or $2,837 for daily expenses alone.

$4,890 /mo

Mount Isa sits 72–93% above the global median across household types. Within Oceania, costs are 38% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.94 A$28.33
$15.95 A$22.66
$35.90 A$51.0
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.2 A$127
$59.5 A$84.5
$149 A$211
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.28 A$14.61
$10.28 A$14.61
$12.33 A$17.52
Cappuccino
$3.96 A$5.62
$3.12 A$4.44
$5.55 A$7.88
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 A$4.14
$2.14 A$3.04
$3.93 A$5.59
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 A$3.20
$2.08 A$2.96
$3.31 A$4.71
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.33 A$11.84
$6.06 A$8.61
$10.99 A$15.62
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.57 A$12.18
$6.38 A$9.06
$11.96 A$16.99
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.62 A$2.31
$1.17 A$1.66
$2.77 A$3.94
White Bread (500g)
$2.76 A$3.91
$2.04 A$2.90
$4.30 A$6.10
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.32 A$3.30
$1.29 A$1.83
$3.59 A$5.10
Eggs
$5.02 A$7.13
$3.52 A$5.01
$7.69 A$10.93
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.66 A$12.31
$6.51 A$9.26
$16.29 A$23.15
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.60 A$15.06
$8.00 A$11.36
$14.16 A$20.12
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.02 A$19.93
$9.33 A$13.26
$19.99 A$28.40
Apples (1kg)
$3.70 A$5.26
$2.73 A$3.88
$5.27 A$7.49
Banana (1kg)
$3.09 A$4.39
$2.25 A$3.20
$4.59 A$6.52
Oranges (1kg)
$3.33 A$4.73
$2.03 A$2.88
$5.75 A$8.17
Tomato (1kg)
$5.14 A$7.30
$3.09 A$4.39
$7.63 A$10.84
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 A$3.86
$1.41 A$2.00
$3.64 A$5.17
Onion (1kg)
$2.50 A$3.55
$1.44 A$2.05
$3.23 A$4.59
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.32 A$3.30
$1.82 A$2.58
$3.08 A$4.38
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.53 A$2.17
$0.59 A$0.84
$3.08 A$4.37
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$43.25 A$61.5
$32.45 A$46.10
$46.86 A$66.6
Wine (Bottle)
$13.05 A$18.55
$9.14 A$12.99
$19.59 A$27.84
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.80 A$6.82
$2.85 A$4.05
$8.41 A$11.95
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.10 A$7.24
$2.72 A$3.87
$8.18 A$11.62
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.09 A$4.39
$1.81 A$2.57
$3.94 A$5.60
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$94.6 A$134
$55.2 A$78.4
$94.6 A$134
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.16 A$4.49
$2.41 A$3.43
$4.89 A$6.95
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.64 A$2.32
$1.57 A$2.22
$2.67 A$3.80
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$44.14 A$62.7
$39.11 A$55.6
$46.20 A$65.6
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.37 A$1.95
$1.17 A$1.66
$1.62 A$2.30
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.0K A$45.5K
$29.5K A$41.9K
$32.4K A$46.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.0K A$32.7K
$21.5K A$30.6K
$27.6K A$39.2K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$208 A$296
$130 A$184
$316 A$448
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.46 A$39.01
$13.86 A$19.70
$47.14 A$67.0
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.1 A$79.7
$48.41 A$68.8
$69.2 A$98.3
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$59.4 A$84.4
$21.66 A$30.78
$59.4 A$84.4
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.78 A$23.84
$7.28 A$10.35
$16.78 A$23.84
Cinema Ticket
$11.97 A$17.01
$10.78 A$15.31
$16.16 A$22.97
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,856 A$2,638
$1,794 A$2,549
$2,282 A$3,243
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.7K A$32.3K
$12.6K A$18.0K
$33.0K A$46.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.1 A$119
$57.4 A$81.5
$115 A$163
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.6 A$84.7
$30.65 A$43.55
$91.9 A$131
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$122 A$173
$95.3 A$135
$179 A$254
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 A$151
$60.7 A$86.3
$152 A$216
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,304 A$1,852
$1,043 A$1,482
$1,434 A$2,037
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,279 A$1,818
$947 A$1,346
$1,436 A$2,040
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,545 A$3,616
$1,900 A$2,699
$3,048 A$4,330
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,845 A$2,622
$1,423 A$2,022
$2,069 A$2,940
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,578 A$7,926
$3,541 A$5,031
$5,812 A$8,259
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,767 A$6,773
$3,247 A$4,614
$4,767 A$6,773
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,462 A$6,340
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.9
5
6.6

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

Last update: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Mount Isa $2,629
Accommodation & Living
$1.3K
Groceries & Markets
$371
Eating Out
$317
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$292
Clothing & Footwear
$167
Getting Around
$118
Sport & Entertainment
$83

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,304 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,279 outside the center. At 29% of the average salary ($4,462), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $4,462, while typical expenses reach $2,629. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $371 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $89 for two – above the Oceanian average of $57.

Public transport is priced at around $95 per month – roughly in line with the Oceanian average of $76.

Cost Highlights

Chicken fillets is more expensive than 92% of cities in Oceania

3-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 90% of cities in Oceania

Good to know
🕒 Local time
07:06 7:06 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
17,936
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to AUD – Australian Dollar Converter

Australian Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 1.42 AUD (1 AUD = 0.704 USD). 1 EUR = 1.58 AUD (1 AUD = 0.632 EUR).

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Mount Isa Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Cost of Living in Mount Isa - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Mount Isa overall, and who tends to find good value here compared with bigger cities?
Mount Isa offers a more approachable feel and value when compared with Australia’s major metros. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want space, sunshine, and a straightforward pace, everyday needs can be more affordable once you adjust to regional options. Housing choices range from simple rentals to larger homes, and utilities and groceries align with local norms rather than city premiums. Getting around is practical with a car or local services, and outdoor activities are easy to fit into a flexible schedule. Consider the Cost of Living in Mount Isa when planning your budget. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods before committing.
What does everyday life look like here for housing, food, transport, and coworking or errands?
Daily life in Mount Isa centers on practical convenience and outdoor appeal. Housing options range from compact apartments to larger homes, with payments shaped by location and proximity to town services. Groceries and dining reflect regional supply chains, with fresh produce and staples available at markets, supermarkets, and local delis. For work, reliable internet at cafes or coworking spaces supports remote gigs, while public transport is modest; many people prefer a car for wider errands. When you search, factor the Mount Isa living cost into your neighborhood choice, balancing commute, lifestyle amenities, and seasonal heat. Tip: Start with a short trial stay in a couple of neighborhoods to feel the daily rhythm.
What budgeting approach and neighborhood fit help you maximize quality of life, considering climate and seasonal changes?
Quality of life here rewards practical planning and a flexible routine. A simple budgeting approach helps: prioritize housing and utilities, then groceries and transport, and leave space for experiences and rest. The hot, dry season favors early mornings and shaded outdoor time, while the wetter months invite indoor pursuits or late-day activities – plan errands around the map and the sun. Neighborhood fit matters: seek areas with easy access to shops, clinics, and parks, plus a quiet street if you work from home. Test different tenancies for a season to find your flow, and tap local markets for affordable, fresh meals. Tip: Build in occasional weekend getaways to recharge.
Why is Mount Isa so expensive to live in?
Living in Mount Isa doesn’t come cheap – monthly expenses with rent reach $2,629, putting it among the pricier cities worldwide. Housing dominates the cost, but food, services, and leisure all sit above the global median too.
Is Mount Isa expensive to live in?
Budget at least $2,629 per month to live in Mount Isa once rent is factored in. That means you need a decent income to live comfortably here.
Can you save money on an average salary in Mount Isa?
At $4,462 take-home, most residents in Mount Isa can cover the $2,629 monthly cost of living. Those earning $3,943 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Mount Isa?
Where you live in Mount Isa makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,304; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $1,279. Overall, the market runs from $1,279 to $1,304 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Mount Isa?
A gym in Mount Isa costs around $59 monthly. Annual contracts and promotional deals can cut the bill.
Is food expensive in Mount Isa?
Mount Isa isn’t cheap for groceries. Monthly bills reach $371 for a single person, more than one person spends in most cities. Cooking at home is still the most economical approach.
Is $2,000 enough to live comfortably in Mount Isa?
At $2,629 in typical monthly expenses, a $2,000 budget falls short in Mount Isa. You’d need a shared flat in an outer area, home-cooked meals, and serious discipline with discretionary spending to make it work.
What is quality of life like in Mount Isa?
Mount Isa offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value low crime rates, clean air, and at around $2,629 per month, it’s accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.

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