Cost of living in Cairns, Australia

Summary of cost of living in Cairns

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: AU$6,321
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: AU$3,306
  • Cairns is the 3rd cheapest city in Australia (7 out of 9)
  • Cairns is the 4th cheapest city in Oceania (9 out of 12)
  • Cost of living in Cairns is more expensive than in 67% of cities in the World (48 out of 143)
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List of prices in Cairns
Current as of May 2025.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district AU$20
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) AU$12
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast AU$5.37
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk AU$1.51
12 eggs, large AU$7
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes AU$8
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese AU$8
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples AU$4.49
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes AU$3.37
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket AU$5.22
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality AU$20
2 liters of coca-cola AU$3.51
Bread for 2 people for 1 day AU$2.53
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area AU$2,816
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area AU$1,690
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat AU$208
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area AU$1,721
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area AU$1,079
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio AU$180
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) AU$63
40” flat screen tv AU$725
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) AU$215
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) AU$11
Hourly rate for cleaning help AU$30
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) AU$93
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) AU$52
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) AU$131
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes AU$111
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new AU$30,626
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas AU$1.77
Monthly ticket public transport AU$108
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) AU$27
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) AU$7
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) AU$18
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) AU$70
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) AU$8
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) AU$5.16
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) AU$5.53
4 rolls of toilet paper AU$2.93
Tube of toothpaste AU$4.17
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city AU$29
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub AU$59
2 tickets to the movies AU$36
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) AU$114
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert AU$116
1 cocktail drink in downtown club AU$17
Cappuccino in expat area of the city AU$5.00
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) AU$7
Ipad wi-fi 128gb AU$720
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) AU$1.00
1 month of gym membership in business district AU$59
1 package of marlboro cigarettes AU$30
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on less than 10 prices entered by less than 5 different people.
Latest price update: May 16, 2025

Did you know that ...

Cairns position in our World Ranking

the world
48th
out of 143
oceania
9th
out of 12
australia
7th
out of 9

Cheapest and most expensive products in Cairns compared to other cities:

the world
5th
oceania
1st
oceania
1st
oceania
1st
oceania
1st
oceania
1st

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