Cost of living in Melbourne

In Melbourne, Australia, a family of four typically needs around $5694 per month including rent. A single person may spend about $2397 monthly.

How expensive is Melbourne compared to other cities?

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

How does Melbourne compare to your city?

Melbourne is 26% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Melbourne is, on average, 49% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Melbourne?

Who is Melbourne a good fit for?

Melbourne 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 Melbourne so expensive?

The high cost of living in Melbourne is largely driven by rent and utilities, which significantly impact overall expenses.

Is food expensive in Melbourne?

Yes, food costs are 49% higher than the European benchmark, contributing to the city's overall expense.

Is public transport affordable in Melbourne?

No, public transport is 469% higher than the European benchmark, making it a costly option for residents.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
2397 $
Without Rent
1053 $
Rent & Utilities
1344 $
Food
557 $
Transport
345 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
4357 $
GDP per Capita
64,712 $
Freedom Index
8.52
Lifespan
83 years
Speak English
93%
Population
5.0M

Do you live in Melbourne? Help us.

Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 15.4 $
Dinner 62.1 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 10.3 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 8.61 $
Capuccino 3.66 $
Coke, 330ml 2.82 $

Compare Melbourne with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.47 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.64 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.33 $
Eggs, 12 pack 4.36 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.3 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.57 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.4 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.43 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.79 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.65 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.42 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.37 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.19 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.98 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.61 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 13.7 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.74 $
Cigarette pack 26.8 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 3.66 $
Monthly Pass 126 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.36 $
Taxi, 8 km 21.4 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 56.2 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 6.82 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 7.97 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.51 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 4 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 101 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 156 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 54 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,146 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,818 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,361 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,752 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 7,512 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 5,768 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 4,357 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.33%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 52.8 $
Cinema, 1 seat 15.4 $
Haircut 23.1 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 115 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 81.3 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,974 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 21,306 $

Compare Melbourne with other top cities

Australia
Melbourne vs Melbourne (Melbourne has similar costs) Melbourne vs Sydney (Sydney is 17% more expensive) Melbourne vs Brisbane (Brisbane is 4% more expensive) Melbourne vs Perth (Perth is 2% less expensive) Melbourne vs Adelaide (Adelaide is 6% less expensive) Melbourne vs Gold Coast (Gold Coast is 4% less expensive) Melbourne vs Canberra (Canberra is 0% less expensive) Melbourne vs Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast is 28% less expensive) Melbourne vs Wollongong (Wollongong is 36% less expensive) Melbourne vs Ipswich (Ipswich is 22% less expensive)
New Zealand
Melbourne vs Auckland (Auckland is 8% less expensive) Melbourne vs Christchurch (Christchurch is 17% less expensive) Melbourne vs Manukau (Manukau is 19% less expensive) Melbourne vs Wellington (Wellington is 7% less expensive) Melbourne vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 30% less expensive) Melbourne vs Tauranga (Tauranga is 25% less expensive) Melbourne vs Dunedin (Dunedin is 39% less expensive) Melbourne vs Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt is 22% less expensive) Melbourne vs Palmerston North (Palmerston North is 45% less expensive) Melbourne vs Napier (Napier is 41% less expensive)
Marshall Islands
Melbourne vs Majuro (Majuro is 36% less expensive) Melbourne vs Djarrit (Djarrit is 37% less expensive)
Solomon Islands
Melbourne vs Honiara (Honiara is 39% less expensive) Melbourne vs Auki (Auki is 39% less expensive)
Palau
Melbourne vs Melekeok (Melekeok is 51% less expensive) Melbourne vs Ngerulmud (Ngerulmud is 51% less expensive)
Tonga
Melbourne vs Nukualofa (Nukualofa is 60% less expensive) Melbourne vs Mua (Mua is 60% less expensive)
Fiji
Melbourne vs Suva (Suva is 62% less expensive) Melbourne vs Nasinu (Nasinu is 63% less expensive) Melbourne vs Nadi (Nadi is 62% less expensive) Melbourne vs Lautoka (Lautoka is 75% less expensive)
Samoa
Melbourne vs Manase (Manase is 72% less expensive) Melbourne vs Apia (Apia is 72% less expensive)
Nauru
Melbourne vs Yaren (Yaren is 74% less expensive)
Tuvalu
Melbourne vs Funafuti (Funafuti is 75% less expensive) Melbourne vs Vaiaku (Vaiaku is 75% less expensive)
Papua New Guinea
Melbourne vs Port Moresby (Port Moresby is 77% less expensive) Melbourne vs Lae (Lae is 77% less expensive)
Kiribati
Melbourne vs South Tarawa (South Tarawa is 78% less expensive) Melbourne vs London (London is 78% less expensive)