Cost of living in Cairns

In Cairns, Australia, living costs about $1442 per month for one person and $3439 for a family of four, including rent.

How expensive is Cairns compared to other cities?

Cairns is 31% more expensive overall versus the European benchmark.

How does Cairns compare to your city?

Cairns is 55% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Cairns is, on average, 70% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Cairns?

Who is Cairns a good fit for?

Cairns is most realistic when moving with a strong job offer or relocation package. Without high income, the housing-driven price level can be difficult to sustain.

FAQ

Why is Cairns so expensive?

The primary driver of high costs in Cairns is the significant expense of rent and utilities. This factor can heavily influence overall living expenses.

Is food expensive in Cairns?

Yes, food prices are 23% higher compared to the European benchmark. This can impact the overall budget for residents.

Is public transport affordable in Cairns?

Public transport costs are 19% higher than the European benchmark. This may affect daily commuting expenses for residents.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
1442 $
Without Rent
650 $
Rent & Utilities
792 $
Food
460 $
Transport
72 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3022 $
GDP per Capita
64,712 $
Freedom Index
8.52
Lifespan
83 years
Speak English
93%
Population
147.0K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 8.42 $
Dinner 39.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 8 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.94 $
Capuccino 3.43 $
Coke, 330ml 3.13 $

Compare Cairns with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.03 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.73 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.73 $
Eggs, 12 pack 4.56 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.8 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 7.44 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.4 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.08 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.46 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.88 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.31 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.33 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.24 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 2.09 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.43 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 14.1 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.59 $
Cigarette pack 21.1 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 3.46 $
Monthly Pass 73.7 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.22 $
Taxi, 8 km 19.1 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 47.9 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 5.21 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 3.84 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.86 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 87 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 134 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 44.4 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 589 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 926 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 946 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,566 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 6,415 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 4,926 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,022 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.97%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 32.3 $
Cinema, 1 seat 12.6 $
Haircut 15.9 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 90.9 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 63.8 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,292 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 15,541 $

Compare Cairns with other top cities

Australia
Cairns vs Melbourne (Melbourne is 66% more expensive) Cairns vs Sydney (Sydney is 94% more expensive) Cairns vs Brisbane (Brisbane is 73% more expensive) Cairns vs Perth (Perth is 63% more expensive) Cairns vs Adelaide (Adelaide is 56% more expensive) Cairns vs Gold Coast (Gold Coast is 60% more expensive) Cairns vs Canberra (Canberra is 66% more expensive) Cairns vs Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast is 20% more expensive) Cairns vs Wollongong (Wollongong is 6% more expensive) Cairns vs Ipswich (Ipswich is 30% more expensive)
New Zealand
Cairns vs Auckland (Auckland is 53% more expensive) Cairns vs Christchurch (Christchurch is 37% more expensive) Cairns vs Manukau (Manukau is 34% more expensive) Cairns vs Wellington (Wellington is 55% more expensive) Cairns vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 16% more expensive) Cairns vs Tauranga (Tauranga is 24% more expensive) Cairns vs Dunedin (Dunedin is 1% more expensive) Cairns vs Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt is 29% more expensive) Cairns vs Palmerston North (Palmerston North is 9% less expensive) Cairns vs Napier (Napier is 3% less expensive)
Marshall Islands
Cairns vs Majuro (Majuro is 6% more expensive) Cairns vs Djarrit (Djarrit is 5% more expensive)
Solomon Islands
Cairns vs Honiara (Honiara is 1% more expensive) Cairns vs Auki (Auki is 2% more expensive)
Palau
Cairns vs Melekeok (Melekeok is 19% less expensive) Cairns vs Ngerulmud (Ngerulmud is 19% less expensive)
Tonga
Cairns vs Nukualofa (Nukualofa is 33% less expensive) Cairns vs Mua (Mua is 33% less expensive)
Fiji
Cairns vs Suva (Suva is 36% less expensive) Cairns vs Nasinu (Nasinu is 38% less expensive) Cairns vs Nadi (Nadi is 38% less expensive) Cairns vs Lautoka (Lautoka is 58% less expensive)
Samoa
Cairns vs Manase (Manase is 54% less expensive) Cairns vs Apia (Apia is 54% less expensive)
Nauru
Cairns vs Yaren (Yaren is 56% less expensive)
Tuvalu
Cairns vs Funafuti (Funafuti is 59% less expensive) Cairns vs Vaiaku (Vaiaku is 59% less expensive)
Papua New Guinea
Cairns vs Port Moresby (Port Moresby is 61% less expensive) Cairns vs Lae (Lae is 62% less expensive)
Kiribati
Cairns vs South Tarawa (South Tarawa is 64% less expensive) Cairns vs London (London is 64% less expensive)