PRICES IN AUSTRALIA
Australia is an expensive relocation destination, but costs differ sharply between cities. Sydney has the highest combined living-and-rent index among the main capitals, while Brisbane, Hobart and Adelaide can offer a lower housing burden. The Australia immigration guide puts those differences alongside employment, visas, education and long-term settlement.
Distance also shapes everyday spending. Imported products, vehicles and some household goods can cost more than in Europe, while Australian supermarkets frequently rotate promotions on food and household essentials. A realistic relocation reserve should cover temporary accommodation, rent in advance, a bond, furniture, transport and the period before the first salary arrives.
AT A GLANCE
- Sydney has Australia’s highest cost-of-living-plus-rent index among the major cities in the table below: 69.0.
- Average national rent for a one-bedroom flat outside the centre is about A$1,767 per month.
- Numbeo’s Australia cost-of-living index is 71.4, with New York City set to 100.
- Housing, food, transport and childcare can vary substantially between states and cities.
CONTENTS
PRICES IN AUSTRALIA IN 2026
The figures below are current national averages from Numbeo’s Australia dataset. They are designed for a first budget estimate rather than for comparing individual shops. Prices can be higher in remote areas and may change with season, local supply and supermarket promotions.
PRODUCT PRICES IN AUSTRALIA
| Product | Price |
| Milk, 1 litre | A$2.46 |
| Fresh white bread, loaf of about 450 g | A$3.58 |
| White rice, 1 kg | A$3.24 |
| Eggs, 12 | A$7.18 |
| Local cheese, 1 kg | A$13.89 |
| Chicken fillets, 1 kg | A$13.14 |
| Beef round or equivalent red meat, 1 kg | A$21.49 |
| Apples, 1 kg | A$5.34 |
| Bananas, 1 kg | A$4.28 |
| Oranges, 1 kg | A$4.56 |
| Tomatoes, 1 kg | A$6.68 |
| Potatoes, 1 kg | A$4.01 |
| Onions, 1 kg | A$3.35 |
| Lettuce, 1 head | A$3.43 |
| Bottled water, 1.5 litres | A$2.42 |
| Bottle of wine, mid-range | A$20.00 |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre bottle | A$6.93 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | A$7.39 |
| Cigarettes, pack of 20 | A$55.00 |
HOUSING, TRANSPORT AND SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA
Rental listings in Australia commonly quote a weekly amount, so comparing them on a monthly basis requires multiplying the weekly figure by 52 and dividing by 12. Before signing a lease, check whether electricity, water, internet and parking are included. The difference between an inner-city flat and a suburban rental can outweigh modest differences in food and public-transport spending.
A job offer should be assessed after tax and alongside its local housing cost. The current salary in Australia data show why a higher nominal salary does not always produce more disposable income in the most expensive cities.
PRICES OF GOODS AND SERVICES IN AUSTRALIA
| Goods and services | Price |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | A$25.00 |
| Three-course meal for two, mid-range restaurant | A$120.00 |
| Fast-food combo meal | A$15.97 |
| Domestic draft beer, restaurant | A$11.00 |
| Imported beer, restaurant | A$12.00 |
| Cappuccino | A$5.67 |
| Soft drink, restaurant | A$4.18 |
| Bottled water, restaurant | A$3.37 |
| One-way local transport ticket | A$4.00 |
| Monthly public transport pass | A$132.80 |
| Taxi starting tariff | A$5.00 |
| Taxi, 1 km | A$2.29 |
| Taxi waiting time, 1 hour | A$56.64 |
| Petrol, 1 litre | A$1.91 |
| Volkswagen Golf or equivalent new compact car | A$40,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan or equivalent new mid-size car | A$40,784.75 |
| Basic utilities for an 85 m² apartment | A$284.56 |
| Mobile phone plan, monthly | A$41.22 |
| Broadband internet, monthly | A$83.09 |
| Fitness-club membership, monthly | A$80.63 |
| Tennis-court rental, 1 hour at weekend | A$27.70 |
| Cinema ticket | A$22.00 |
| Private full-day preschool, monthly per child | A$3,037.23 |
| International primary school, annual tuition per child | A$26,002.67 |
| Jeans, Levi's 501 or similar | A$113.84 |
| Summer dress in a chain store | A$79.06 |
| Mid-range running shoes | A$163.17 |
| Men's leather business shoes | A$178.74 |
| One-bedroom apartment in city centre, monthly | A$2,231.20 |
| One-bedroom apartment outside city centre, monthly | A$1,766.87 |
| Three-bedroom apartment in city centre, monthly | A$3,499.94 |
| Three-bedroom apartment outside city centre, monthly | A$2,744.70 |
| Apartment purchase price in city centre, per m² | A$11,611 |
| Apartment purchase price outside centre, per m² | A$8,583 |
| Average monthly net salary | A$5,712.58 |
| Mortgage interest rate, annual, 20-year fixed | 5.92% |
PERSONAL CARE AND HOUSEHOLD PURCHASES IN AUSTRALIA
Personal-care and household figures are typical mass-market retail and pharmacy ranges rather than Numbeo averages. Buying on promotion is common in Australia, so the same basket can cost materially less during supermarket and pharmacy sales.
PERSONAL CARE AND HOUSEHOLD PURCHASES IN AUSTRALIA
| Product or service | Typical price |
| Men's haircut | A$30–55 |
| Women's haircut | A$55–100 |
| Toothpaste, tube | A$4–8 |
| Shampoo, bottle | A$6–15 |
| Hair conditioner, bottle | A$6–15 |
| Shower gel or body wash | A$5–10 |
| Deodorant | A$5–11 |
| Liquid hand soap | A$3–7 |
| Razor or replacement blades | A$8–20 |
| Toilet paper, multipack | A$8–16 |
| Laundry detergent | A$12–25 |
| Dishwashing liquid | A$4–8 |
| All-purpose cleaning spray | A$5–10 |
| Over-the-counter pain relief medicine | A$7–16 |
MONTHLY BUDGET AND CITY COMPARISON
For a single person, rent remains the budget item most likely to change the final total. Someone comparing an offer in Sydney with one in Perth or Adelaide should test the actual salary, rent and expected monthly costs together. The salary comparison tool can model that scenario in one currency instead of relying on a headline wage alone.
ESTIMATED MONTHLY BUDGET IN AUSTRALIA
| Expense category | One person | Couple without children |
| Rent outside the city centre | A$1,700–2,500 | A$2,100–3,200 |
| Groceries | A$500–750 | A$850–1,250 |
| Utilities, internet and mobile plan | A$300–450 | A$380–560 |
| Transport | A$130–300 | A$250–550 |
| Leisure, clothing and contingency spending | A$350–650 | A$600–1,000 |
| Total, excluding a car and childcare | A$2,980–4,650 | A$4,180–6,560 |
COST OF LIVING IN AUSTRALIAN CITIES
| City | Cost of living index | Rent index | Cost of living plus rent |
| Sydney | 80.7 | 55.4 | 69.0 |
| Canberra | 78.8 | 37.4 | 59.6 |
| Melbourne | 76.5 | 41.2 | 60.1 |
| Adelaide | 75.6 | 32.6 | 55.7 |
| Gold Coast | 75.2 | 41.4 | 59.5 |
| Perth | 75.0 | 38.4 | 58.1 |
| Hobart | 73.6 | 31.4 | 54.1 |
| Brisbane | 68.6 | 40.1 | 55.4 |
AUSTRALIA COMPARED WITH OTHER COUNTRIES
| Country | Cost of living | Rent | Cost of living plus rent | Local purchasing power |
| Australia | 71.4 | 33.1 | 53.9 | 134.8 |
| United States | 69.7 | 37.1 | 54.8 | 144.5 |
| Canada | 60.4 | 27.8 | 45.3 | 129.6 |
| Germany | 68.7 | 25.6 | 48.4 | 138.3 |
| United Kingdom | 67.8 | 31.7 | 50.5 | 118.0 |
NOTE
Numbeo indices are relative measures with New York City set to 100. The cost-of-living index covers groceries, restaurants, transport and services but excludes rent. The rent index compares average rental costs, while the combined index includes both everyday spending and rent. Local purchasing power compares typical net income with local prices: a higher number indicates stronger purchasing power.
HOW PRICES CHANGED OVER THE PAST YEAR
Australia’s Consumer Price Index rose 4.0% in the 12 months to August 2026, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The monthly figure was 0.4%, while the seasonally adjusted monthly increase was 0.7%.
Housing remains the main pressure point in a relocation budget. In the year to June 2026, housing prices rose 6.8%, making them the largest contributor to annual inflation. The end of some government electricity rebates also made household utility costs more visible again.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose 3.3% over the same June-to-June period. Australia’s distance from other markets and its climate exposure make fresh-food prices especially sensitive to seasonal conditions, transport costs and local supply disruptions.
Frequently asked questions
How much does one person need to live in Australia?
A practical estimate is A$2,980–4,650 per month without a car or childcare. The result can be higher in Sydney and Melbourne because rent is the biggest variable.
Which Australian cities are more affordable?
Hobart, Brisbane and Adelaide usually have lower combined cost-and-rent indices than Sydney. The local labour market, transport needs and climate should still be considered before choosing a city.
What relocation expenses are often missed?
Commonly missed costs include temporary accommodation, rental bond, furniture, a mobile plan, transport, healthcare cover and the time needed to find a job or receive the first salary.
Sources
- Numbeo — current prices, cost-of-living indices and city comparisons for Australia.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics — Consumer Price Index.
- Australian supermarket, pharmacy and retail price ranges for personal-care and household goods.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WageCentre, with a degree in finance and 15+ years of professional experience. He writes about salaries, taxes, labour markets, immigration and financial planning for relocation.
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