An overview of the cost of living in Australia

Ever thought about venturing down under? In addition to its lovely landscapes and exciting wildlife, there’s plenty of work and educational opportunities to entice you to Australia.

But, before you start packing your bags, you might want to read this article to consider what the cost of living is in Australia. Not only will we cover the general cost of living, but we’ll also look at the common living costs for different major cities. WorldRemit is here to help with your finances and money transfers abroad.  

Let’s dive in!

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WorldRemit Content Team

7 mins readUpdated
A scenic image taken in Australia

Cost of living in Australia vs. other countries

The first thing to do is to see how Australia’s cost of living compares to other countries around the world.According to Numbeo, Australia ranks 14th for highest cost of living in the world. This places this warm nation higher on the list than the United States, United Kingdom and even Canada (at least when you exclude rent costs).

If you do include rent costs, Australia drops down slightly to 15th. But it’s still higher than those other countries. The only Asian/Pacific countries that rank higher are Singapore and Hong Kong. Although the US and New Zealand are not far behind.

However, when looking at the cost of living for a new country, it’s very important to factor into people’s average salaries. Australia does incredibly well here, as it has the second highest average salaries in the world.

Single person’s living costs (USD)

Monthly rent - 1 bed apartment (USD)

Average monthly salary after tax (USD)

Australia

$954.85

$1,190

$4,082

United States

$945.36

$1,383

$3,611

United Kingdom

$841.65

$1,009

$2,937

Canada

$920.48

$1,106

$3,684


Average cost of living in Australia per month

The average cost of living in Australia per month is approximately AU $1,332.33, according to Numbeo. This is excluding rent, which for a one-bedroom apartment would be AU $1,190.

All of this adds up to AU $2,522.33 per month or $30,267.96 per year. Now these costs may seem relatively high, but they are offset by the country’s higher than average salaries at AU $4,062.00 per month.

Restaurant meal

Public transport (monthly in AUD)

Basic utilities (monthly in AUD)

1 bedroom apartment (AUD)

Average monthly salary after tax (AUD)

$20

$154

$197

$1,190

$4,062


Cost of living in Sydney

From the spacious housing to the buzzy markets, Sydney is a true cultural melting pot with a lot to offer. And, if you’re a theatre fan, you may want to take advantage of all the performances on offer – including at the iconic Sydney Opera House!

But how much does it really cost to live in this eclectic city? According to Numbeo, Sydney is the most expensive place out of Australia’s seven major cities. But, you know what they say – you get what you pay for! Have a look at the chart below and see if you think Sydney is worth the sticker price.

Meal, inexpensive restaurant (AUD)

$20.00

Loaf of bread (AUD)

$2.90

Monthly transport pass (AUD)

$217.39

Basic utilities (AUD)

$196.99

Internet (AUD)

$72.64

Gasoline (1 gallon) (AUD)

$7.58

Preschool, full day, private, monthly for 1 child (AUD)

$2,419.85


How much does rent cost in Sydney?

As mentioned before, rent in Sydney is the highest of all of Australia’s cities. But the housing is also larger than expats from countries like the UK may be used to. You’ll be able to find a mix of new builds, flats and even a few period properties.

The chart below walks you through how much space per dollar you’ll really get.

Apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$2,591.79

Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,794.00

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in city centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$5,072.00

Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$3,110.00


Cost of living in Melbourne

There is a lot to discover in Melbourne, a vibrant city that was Australia’s capital until 1927. You may have a special fondness for the city if you’re a sports fan, as Melbourne is considered the sporting capital of the world. It plays host to such big events as the Australia Formula 1 Grand Prix, Australian Tennis Open and the Spring Racing Carnival.

It also has a rich history – literally! In 1880, Melbourne became the richest city in the world following the Victorian gold rush. What does that mean for its present day expenses, you may ask? According to Numbeo, Melbourne is the fourth most expensive Australian major city to live in. That means it falls somewhere in the middle of cost of living.

The chart below will show you how that breaks down.

Meal, inexpensive restaurant (AUD)

$20.00

Loaf of bread (AUD)

$2.76

Monthly transport pass (AUD)

$161.00

Basic utilities (AUD)

$207.11

Internet (AUD)

$76.89

Gasoline (1 gallon) (AUD)

$7.22

Preschool, full day, private, monthly for 1 child (AUD)

$2,466.41


How much does rent cost in Melbourne?

Melbourne is the fifth highest for rent costs out of all of Australia’s seven major cities. The prices jump significantly when you go for a three-bedroom apartment and when you choose to live in the city centre rather than the countryside.

Apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,667.10

Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,336.88

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in city centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$3,043.31

Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$2,150.00


Cost of living in Brisbane

Brisbane is a populous city situated on the Brisbane River. It’s also one of the oldest cities in Australia, having been founded by indigenous people. It was chosen as the capital of Queensland when the region was declared a separate state from New South Wales in 1859. Today, this cosmopolitan city is well known for its Queenslander architecture and a lively South Bank that’s full of nightly hot spots to explore.

However, when it comes to the cost of living in Australia, the expense of living in Brisbane might hold you back from moving there. It’s one of the most expensive major cities in Australia, ranked number two by Numbeo.

One of the main expenses would be the cost of having a family in the city, as childcare costs will set you back a pretty penny. Even bread costs a bit more than it does in other cities! Check out more expenses below.

Meal, inexpensive restaurant (AUD)

$20.00

Loaf of bread (AUD)

$2.98

Monthly transport pass (AUD)

$198.00

Basic utilities (AUD)

$174.10

Internet (AUD)

$75.27

Gasoline (1 gallon) (AUD)

$7.37

Preschool, full day, private, monthly for 1 child (AUD)

$1,885.00


How much does rent cost in Brisbane?

Now that you’ve got the “lay of the land” in terms of general cost of living in Australia, it’s time to look at another major expense – rent! Luckily, Brisbane is comparatively less expensive than other cities, ranking at fourth overall.

You may find it’s better to live outside of the city centre, as you can get a much more spacious place for about the same price as a one-bedroom apartment within the city limits.

Apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,975.00

Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,427.00

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in city centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$3,046.15

Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,991.67


Cost of living in Canberra

Canberra, Australia’s capital city, was named by Ngunnawal people who originally inhabited the land. It’s one of the only places in Australia where you can go on a hot air balloon ride – and even has a festival dedicated to the hobby! Plus, it’s a great place to enjoy a tipple or two with fantastic wineries and breweries all within easy reach.

But, best of all has to be the affordable cost of living in Canberra. According to Numbeo, Canberra is the cheapest city to live in compared to Australia’s other six major cities, excluding rent, that is.

Meal, inexpensive restaurant (AUD)

$23.00

Loaf of bread (AUD)

$2.60

Monthly transport pass (AUD)

$50.87

Basic utilities (AUD)

$151.82

Internet (AUD)

$74.91

Gasoline (1 gallon) (AUD)

$7.48

Preschool, full day, private, monthly for 1 child (AUD)

$1,950


How much does rent cost in Canberra?

So you might be wondering how much rent costs in Canberra. Despite how cheap most things are in Canberra – rent is not one of the ways you can save there. It’s comparatively much more expensive than other Australian cities. There are, however, some savings to be made if you stick to smaller accommodation.

Apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,910.00

Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,838.00

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in city centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$3,350.00

Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$2,428.00


Cost of living in Perth

One reason you might want to move to Perth is the eight hours of sunshine you’ll enjoy there a day. With the sun beaming down on you, you’ll have the perfect weather for exploring the largest inland park in the world, Kings Park.

Another reason you might be happy to live in Perth is that it’s one of the cheaper cities in Australia, ranking at fifth out of seven. While the utilities run a bit high, you’ll save on the smaller expenses like your groceries.

Meal, inexpensive restaurant (AUD)

$21.50

Loaf of bread (AUD)

$2.25

Monthly transport pass (AUD)

$142.00

Basic utilities (AUD)

$190.98

Internet (AUD)

$77.36

Gasoline (1 gallon) (AUD)

$7.50

Preschool, full day, private, monthly for 1 child (AUD)

$2,059.23


How much does rent cost in Perth?

Overall, rent costs in Perth are also relatively low. It’s the cheapest major city other than Adelaide, according to Numbeo. That is, as long as you’re not planning to rent a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre! That space does come at a premium.

Apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,700.00

Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,327.50

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in city centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$2,673.33

Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of centre, monthly rent (AUD)

$1,904.55

Now that you know the basics around the cost of living in Australia, you can start planning your visit to the country to scout out these different, scenic locations. And once you arrive in the country, WorldRemit will be there to help you send money to your family and friends back home.

Decided Australia’s not for you? Not to worry! We have plenty of other information about living abroad in other countries for you to explore. Why not start with the cost of living in Canada? Especially if your attraction to Australia was the possibility of exploring the great outdoors.

Download our app and sign up to start sending money abroad today.

This communication is intended for marketing purposes only and does not constitute or provide legal advice.

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