Cost of living in Canberra

In Canberra, Australia, a single person typically needs around $2393 per month including rent. A family of four may spend about $5235 monthly.

How expensive is Canberra compared to other cities?

Compared to the European benchmark, Canberra is 117% more expensive overall.

How does Canberra compare to your city?

Canberra is 37% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Canberra is, on average, 43% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Canberra?

Who is Canberra a good fit for?

Canberra tends to fit higher-income residents who can comfortably absorb housing costs. It can be challenging on a moderate budget, mainly due to rent and utilities.

FAQ

Why is Canberra so expensive?

The primary driver of Canberra's high cost of living is the significant expense associated with rent and utilities. This impacts overall affordability for many residents.

Is food expensive in Canberra?

Yes, food costs are 66% higher than the European benchmark, making grocery shopping more costly. This can affect overall monthly expenses.

Is public transport affordable in Canberra?

Public transport fares are 119% higher than the European benchmark, which can add to the overall cost of living. This may be a consideration for those relying on public transit.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
2393 $
Without Rent
898 $
Rent & Utilities
1495 $
Food
618 $
Transport
133 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3763 $
GDP per Capita
64,712 $
Freedom Index
8.52
Lifespan
83 years
Speak English
93%
Population
381.0K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 20.1 $
Dinner 84.9 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 9.85 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 7.11 $
Capuccino 3.72 $
Coke, 330ml 2.92 $

Compare Canberra with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.58 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.44 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.24 $
Eggs, 12 pack 4.89 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 12.3 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.41 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 16.6 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.62 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.11 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.61 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.94 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.69 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.6 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.59 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.14 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 17.1 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 5.09 $
Cigarette pack 27.7 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 3.32 $
Monthly Pass 107 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.38 $
Taxi, 8 km 17.7 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 51.6 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 4.79 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 4.68 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 2.46 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.07 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 141 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 217 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 59.6 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,222 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,831 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,584 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,518 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 7,663 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 5,992 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,763 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.35%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 60.9 $
Cinema, 1 seat 14 $
Haircut 18.3 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 125 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 87 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,893 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 15,472 $

Compare Canberra with other top cities

Australia
Canberra vs Melbourne (Melbourne is 0% more expensive) Canberra vs Sydney (Sydney is 17% more expensive) Canberra vs Brisbane (Brisbane is 4% more expensive) Canberra vs Perth (Perth is 2% less expensive) Canberra vs Adelaide (Adelaide is 6% less expensive) Canberra vs Gold Coast (Gold Coast is 4% less expensive) Canberra vs Canberra (Canberra has similar costs) Canberra vs Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast is 28% less expensive) Canberra vs Wollongong (Wollongong is 36% less expensive) Canberra vs Ipswich (Ipswich is 22% less expensive)
New Zealand
Canberra vs Auckland (Auckland is 8% less expensive) Canberra vs Christchurch (Christchurch is 17% less expensive) Canberra vs Manukau (Manukau is 19% less expensive) Canberra vs Wellington (Wellington is 7% less expensive) Canberra vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 30% less expensive) Canberra vs Tauranga (Tauranga is 25% less expensive) Canberra vs Dunedin (Dunedin is 39% less expensive) Canberra vs Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt is 22% less expensive) Canberra vs Palmerston North (Palmerston North is 45% less expensive) Canberra vs Napier (Napier is 41% less expensive)
Marshall Islands
Canberra vs Majuro (Majuro is 36% less expensive) Canberra vs Djarrit (Djarrit is 37% less expensive)
Solomon Islands
Canberra vs Honiara (Honiara is 39% less expensive) Canberra vs Auki (Auki is 39% less expensive)
Palau
Canberra vs Melekeok (Melekeok is 51% less expensive) Canberra vs Ngerulmud (Ngerulmud is 51% less expensive)
Tonga
Canberra vs Nukualofa (Nukualofa is 60% less expensive) Canberra vs Mua (Mua is 60% less expensive)
Fiji
Canberra vs Suva (Suva is 62% less expensive) Canberra vs Nasinu (Nasinu is 62% less expensive) Canberra vs Nadi (Nadi is 62% less expensive) Canberra vs Lautoka (Lautoka is 75% less expensive)
Samoa
Canberra vs Manase (Manase is 72% less expensive) Canberra vs Apia (Apia is 72% less expensive)
Nauru
Canberra vs Yaren (Yaren is 74% less expensive)
Tuvalu
Canberra vs Funafuti (Funafuti is 75% less expensive) Canberra vs Vaiaku (Vaiaku is 75% less expensive)
Papua New Guinea
Canberra vs Port Moresby (Port Moresby is 77% less expensive) Canberra vs Lae (Lae is 77% less expensive)
Kiribati
Canberra vs South Tarawa (South Tarawa is 78% less expensive) Canberra vs London (London is 78% less expensive)