Cost of living in Cairns (Australia) is 23% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 676 prices entered by 112 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 14% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cairns (Australia) is 14% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$18 | AU$24 | - 24% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$13 | AU$14 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$5.57 | AU$7 | - 22% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.51 | AU$2.07 | - 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$7 | AU$6 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$7 | AU$7 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$8 | AU$9 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.50 | AU$5.07 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.51 | AU$3.67 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$5.22 | AU$6 | - 19% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$20 | AU$20 | + 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.51 | AU$4.16 | - 16% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.53 | AU$3.30 | - 23% | |
| Housing | - 25% | |||
| Housing in Cairns (Australia) is 25% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$2,816 | AU$3,641 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$1,690 | AU$2,559 | - 34% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$208 | AU$216 | - 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$1,721 | AU$2,368 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,079 | AU$1,876 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$180 | AU$198 | - 9% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$63 | AU$78 | - 18% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$725 | AU$858 | - 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$215 | AU$294 | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$11 | AU$14 | - 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$30 | AU$39 | - 23% | |
| Clothes | - 38% | |||
| Clothes in Cairns (Australia) is 38% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$93 | AU$140 | - 34% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$52 | AU$89 | - 41% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$131 | AU$181 | - 28% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$111 | AU$195 | - 43% | |
| Transportation | - 34% | |||
| Transportation in Cairns (Australia) is 34% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$27,952 | AU$37,072 | - 25% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.79 | AU$2.05 | - 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$108 | AU$179 | - 40% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$27 | AU$31 | - 12% | |
| Personal Care | - 26% | |||
| Personal Care in Cairns (Australia) is 26% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$7 | AU$10 | - 35% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$18 | AU$19 | - 2% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$70 | AU$103 | - 32% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$8 | AU$11 | - 29% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$5.16 | AU$7 | - 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.53 | AU$8 | - 28% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$2.93 | AU$5.35 | - 45% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$4.17 | AU$4.71 | - 11% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$29 | AU$34 | - 16% | |
| Entertainment | + 0% | |||
| Entertainment in Cairns (Australia) is about the same as in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$59 | AU$59 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$36 | AU$44 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$114 | AU$484 | - 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$116 | AU$128 | - 9% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$17 | AU$23 | - 27% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.00 | AU$5.44 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$7 | AU$12 | - 41% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$720 | AU$1,036 | - 31% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$1.00 | AU$0.47 | + 112% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$59 | AU$83 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$30 | AU$43 | - 29% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 23% | ||
These prices were last updated on November 30, 2023.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 676 prices entered by 112 different people.
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