Australia’s capital cities: Where is it cheaper to live?

If you are considering emigration to Australia, you no doubt want to get as much bang for your buck – or rand – as possible. So you may be asking, in which of Australia’s capital cities is it cheaper to live?

Here is an idea of the average cost of living (in Australian dollars) for the main hubs:

Melbourne 

Accommodation: A hefty chunk of money is invested in accommodation, so we will look at that first. A one-bedroom apartment in the city rents for $1,837.59, while a three-bedroom apartment in the suburbs goes for $2,270.00.

Each needs utilities like electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage collection and the essential internet (60+ Mbps, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) which cost $212.61 and $68.79 respectively.

Total for a city one-bedroom apartment: $2,148.99

Total for a suburban three-bedroom apartment: $2,551.40

Groceries: Let’s compare basics such as bread, milk, eggs, along with $/kg prices of other groceries. A loaf of white bread costs $2.88, a litre of milk $1.56, and a dozen eggs $4.95.

Add to that a kilo of each – local cheese, chicken fillets, beef round, rice, apples, bananas, tomatoes, and potatoes – and your basket total is $68.54.

Schooling: Public schools in Australia are free.

Transport: A monthly pass on public transport will set you back $159.00. Cars vary in price, and one litre of petrol costs $1.45 in Melbourne.

Dining out: A simple meal at an inexpensive restaurant goes for around $17/head; a three-course mid-range meal for $40/head.

330ml imported beer, 330ml Coke or Pepsi, and a bottle of wine cost $10.00, $3.11, $15.00 respectively.

Sydney 

Accommodation: The total (rent, utilities, and internet) for a city one-bedroom apartment is $2,905.07; for a three-bedroom suburban apartment $3,368.69.

Groceries: Your basket adds up to $70.30.

Transport: A monthly pass on public transport will set you back $217.39. Cars vary in price, and one litre of petrol costs $1.48 in Sydney.

Dining out: A simple meal at an inexpensive restaurant goes for around $8/head; a three-course mid-range meal for $50/head.

330ml imported beer, 330ml Coke or Pepsi, and a bottle of wine cost $8.00, $3.18, $15.00 respectively.

Brisbane 

Accommodation: The total (rent, utilities, and internet) for a city one-bedroom apartment is $ $1,981.39; for a three-bedroom suburban apartment $2,246.25.

Groceries: Your grocery basket comes to $68.59.

Transport: A public transport monthly pass costs $159.24. One litre of petrol costs $1.51 in Brisbane.

Dining-out: Inexpensive meal $20/head; three-course meal $50/head; imported beer $10.00; soft drink $3.46; bottle of wine $20.00.

Darwin 

Accommodation: One-bedroom city apartment all in $1,632.23; three-bedroom suburban apartment at $2,141.40.

Groceries: Your basket adds up to $69.01.

Transport: Public transport monthly pass costs $86.96, while a litre of petrol costs $1.52.

Dining-out: Inexpensive meal $25/head; three-course meal $50/head; imported beer $8; soft drink $3.40; bottle of wine $13.50.

Perth 

Accommodation: One-bedroom city apartment with utilities and internet totals $1,770; three-bedroom suburban apartment at $2,178.52.

Groceries: Your basket containing a loaf of white bread, a litre of milk, a dozen eggs, and a kilo of each – local cheese, chicken fillets, beef round, rice, apples, bananas, tomatoes, and potatoes – totals $61.86.

Transport: Monthly pass on public transport costs $155.00, while a litre of petrol costs $1.38.

Dining-out: Inexpensive meal $20/head; three-course meal $47/head; imported beer $9.50; soft drink $3.06; bottle of wine $15.00.

Adelaide 

Accommodation: One-bedroom city apartment at $1,626.18; three-bedroom suburban apartment at $1,864.61.

Groceries: Total for your basket is $62.55.

Transport: Monthly pass on public transport costs $101.00, and petrol costs $1.50/litre.

Dining-out: Inexpensive meal $18/head; three-course meal $35/head; imported beer $9.25; soft drink $3.47; bottle of wine $15.00.

Hobart 

Accommodation: One-bedroom city apartment at $1,747,78; three-bedroom suburban apartment at $2,162.90.

Groceries: Your basket costs $63.45.

Transport: Public transport monthly pass costs $77.50, and petrol costs $1.60 /litre.

Dining-out: Inexpensive meal $18/head; three-course meal $43/head; imported beer $8.00; soft drink $3.25; bottle of wine $17.50.

The Tri-Nations Migration team are the best emigration advisers to provide you with assistance when emigrating to Australia or New Zealand. Contact us to find out more about how we can help you.