Cost of Living in Port Macquarie - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $788 (excluding rent), and $2,043 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,484 (excluding rent), and $3,870 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.04 A$24.51

$12.83 A$19.61

$25.66 A$39.21

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$63.9 A$97.6

$38.31 A$58.5

$102 A$156

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.37 A$12.8

$7.73 A$11.81

$10.96 A$16.75

Cappuccino

$3.28 A$5.01

$2.56 A$3.91

$3.84 A$5.86

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

$2.35 A$3.59

$1.94 A$2.97

$3.24 A$4.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 A$2.47

$1.29 A$1.97

$2.57 A$3.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.86 A$8.96

$3.26 A$4.98

$11.73 A$17.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.83 A$8.91

$4.53 A$6.93

$7.77 A$11.87

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 A$2.06

$0.99 A$1.52

$2.64 A$4.03

White Bread (500g)

$2.32 A$3.54

$1.6 A$2.44

$3.19 A$4.87

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.2 A$3.37

$1.33 A$2.04

$3.33 A$5.09

Eggs

$3.75 A$5.74

$2.56 A$3.92

$5.77 A$8.81

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.19 A$4.87

$12.76 A$19.5

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.75 A$11.85

$6.54 A$9.99

$13.08 A$19.99

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.62 A$14.71

$8.33 A$12.73

$18.6 A$28.42

Apples (1kg)

$3.22 A$4.92

$2.62 A$4

$3.87 A$5.91

Banana (1kg)

$2.61 A$3.99

$2.25 A$3.43

$6.4 A$9.79

Oranges (1kg)

$2.72 A$4.16

$1.66 A$2.54

$3.97 A$6.07

Tomato (1kg)

$3.67 A$5.61

$3.14 A$4.79

$6.39 A$9.77

Potato (1kg)

$2.73 A$4.17

$1.99 A$3.04

$3.31 A$5.06

Onion (1kg)

$2.12 A$3.25

$1.6 A$2.44

$3.18 A$4.86

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.62 A$2.48

$1.29 A$1.97

$2.58 A$3.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 A$1.64

$0.6 A$0.92

$3.3 A$5.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$26.47 A$40.45

$39.71 A$60.7

Wine (Bottle)

$9.89 A$15.12

$9.23 A$14.1

$13.19 A$20.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.83 A$5.85

$1.93 A$2.95

$6.36 A$9.73

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 A$4.86

$1.99 A$3.04

$3.98 A$6.08

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.59 A$3.95

$1.88 A$2.87

$3.23 A$4.94

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.1 A$98

$22.43 A$34.28

$64.1 A$98

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.3 A$3.51

$1.96 A$3

$3.22 A$4.93

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.54 A$2.36

$1.39 A$2.12

$1.82 A$2.78

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$38.59 A$59

$37.39 A$57.1

$39.78 A$60.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.12 A$1.72

$0.97 A$1.48

$1.28 A$1.96

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

$24.3K A$37.2K

$22.7K A$34.7K

$28.8K A$44.1K

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

$20.5K A$31.4K

$19.2K A$29.4K

$22.4K A$34.3K

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

$84.7 A$129

$78.2 A$119

$391 A$597

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

$23.86 A$36.46

$13.26 A$20.26

$46.41 A$70.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$56 A$85.5

$42.2 A$64.5

$64 A$97.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$48.55 A$74.2

$19.43 A$29.69

$58.3 A$89.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.63 A$23.88

$7.77 A$11.87

$15.63 A$23.88

Cinema Ticket

$10.01 A$15.29

$20 A$30.57

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

$903 A$1,379

$645 A$985

$1,161 A$1,774

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.1K A$18.4K

$6,519 A$9,961

$17.6K A$26.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$77.7 A$119

$66.1 A$101

$99.2 A$152

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.55 A$68.1

$19.44 A$29.71

$64.8 A$99

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.5 A$141

$79.2 A$121

$165 A$252

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 A$167

$52.3 A$79.9

$163 A$250

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,277 A$1,952

$1,052 A$1,608

$1,348 A$2,060

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,083 A$1,655

$674 A$1,030

$1,206 A$1,843

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,036 A$3,111

$1,970 A$3,011

$2,102 A$3,211

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,618 A$2,473

$1,612 A$2,463

$1,625 A$2,483

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,295 A$1,978

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,113 A$1,700

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,691 A$4,112

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.5

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

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Cost of Living in Port Macquarie - Frequently Asked Questions

Port Macquarie tends to offer a solid value proposition for coastal living: you get beaches, a relaxed pace, and decent amenities without the price tag of major capitals. Housing options range from compact apartments to family-friendly homes, often with room to negotiate longer leases. Grocery and dining choices can be affordable if you shop locally and lean toward casual eateries. Public transport covers the town well, and rideshare or car-sharing is common for weekend trips. Cost of Living in Port Macquarie sits lower than Sydney or Melbourne while still offering reliable internet and coworking spots. Tip: test neighborhoods across seasons to gauge value.

Daily life in Port Macquarie blends beach access with practical chores. Look for housing near Town Beach, the riverfront, or the city center; these areas reward you with walkable streets and cafés. Long leases often bring better values than short stays. Food options range from farmers markets to casual eateries and seafood shacks, plus supermarkets with fresh produce by season. For transport, a compact bus network and good cycle lanes keep trips short; many freelancers pair coworking spaces with a coffee ritual. Port Macquarie living cost tends to be manageable for a regional hub, but adjust your plan for seasonal spikes in tourism. Tip: set a weekly meal and transit plan to curb spontaneous spending.

Quality of life is strengthened by outdoor access, healthcare, education, and a supportive expat community. Set a budgeting framework by dividing costs into housing, groceries, transport, and leisure. Use slower seasons for lodging deals; take advantage of farmers markets, free public events, and walking or cycling to cut transport costs. Seasonality affects crowds and some services; plan around peak times to avoid surges in accommodation or activity prices. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace: riverfront or town center suits active urban days; quieter suburbs near beaches or inland neighborhoods suit longer study blocks. Tip: build a flexible budgeting plan that you review quarterly.