Cost of living in Cairns, Australia

Summary of cost of living in Cairns

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: AU$6,087
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: AU$3,092
  • Cost of living in Cairns is cheaper than in 67% of cities in Australia (6 out of 9)
  • Cost of living in Cairns is cheaper than in 62% of cities in Oceania (8 out of 13)
  • Cost of living in Cairns is more expensive than in 63% of cities in the World (86 out of 228)
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List of prices in Cairns
Current as of Jun 2023.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district AU$18
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) AU$13
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast AU$5.57
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk AU$1.43
12 eggs, large AU$7
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes AU$7
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese AU$8
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples AU$4.40
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes AU$3.51
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket AU$5.22
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality AU$21
2 liters of coca-cola AU$3.51
Bread for 2 people for 1 day AU$2.58
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area AU$2,541
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area AU$1,571
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$1,462
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area AU$1,139
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$128
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$27,952
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas AU$1.66
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$8
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$4.95
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) AU$5.53
4 rolls of toilet paper AU$2.66
Tube of toothpaste AU$3.81
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city AU$27
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub AU$65
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$114
1 cocktail drink in downtown club AU$16
Cappuccino in expat area of the city AU$4.93
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 42 prices entered by 5 different people.
Latest price update: June 07, 2023

Did you know that ...

Cairns position in our World Ranking

the world
86th
out of 228
oceania
8th
out of 13
australia
6th
out of 9

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

the world
2nd
oceania
1st
oceania
1st
oceania
2nd
oceania
2nd
oceania
2nd

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International Cost of Living Index

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