Cost of living in Cairns (Australia) is 7% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia)
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 915 prices entered by 130 different people.
| Food in Cairns (Australia) is about the same as in Melbourne (Australia) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cairns (Australia) | Melbourne (Australia) | Diff |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ||
| AU$18 | AU$18 | 4% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ||
| AU$10 | AU$12 | 16% |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ||
| AU$5.13 | AU$5.37 | 5% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ||
| AU$1.39 | AU$1.48 | 6% |
| 12 eggs, large | ||
| AU$6 | AU$5.30 | 21% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ||
| AU$5.58 | AU$4.86 | 15% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ||
| AU$9 | AU$8 | 21% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ||
| AU$4.22 | AU$4.49 | 6% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ||
| AU$3.10 | AU$3.12 | 0% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ||
| AU$5.15 | AU$5.49 | 6% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ||
| AU$24 | AU$17 | 44% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ||
| AU$3.07 | AU$2.82 | 9% |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ||
| AU$2.01 | AU$2.64 | 24% |
| Housing in Cairns (Australia) is 11% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||
| Cairns (Australia) | Melbourne (Australia) | Diff |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ||
| AU$2,272 | AU$2,943 | 23% |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ||
| AU$1,446 | AU$2,147 | 33% |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ||
| AU$208 | AU$249 | 16% |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ||
| AU$1,462 | AU$1,822 | 20% |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ||
| AU$1,239 | AU$1,417 | 13% |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ||
| AU$180 | AU$157 | 15% |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ||
| AU$63 | AU$46 | 37% |
| 40” flat screen TV | ||
| AU$725 | AU$374 | 94% |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ||
| AU$215 | AU$212 | 2% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ||
| AU$11 | AU$9 | 16% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ||
| AU$29 | AU$28 | 3% |
| Clothes in Cairns (Australia) is 9% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||
| Cairns (Australia) | Melbourne (Australia) | Diff |
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ||
| AU$93 | AU$101 | 8% |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ||
| AU$52 | AU$59 | 12% |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ||
| AU$133 | AU$129 | 3% |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ||
| AU$111 | AU$131 | 15% |
| Transportation in Cairns (Australia) is 22% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||
| Cairns (Australia) | Melbourne (Australia) | Diff |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ||
| AU$27,952 | AU$27,303 | 2% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ||
| AU$1.48 | AU$1.38 | 7% |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ||
| AU$108 | AU$160 | 33% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ||
| AU$27 | AU$21 | 30% |
| Personal Care in Cairns (Australia) is 7% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||
| Cairns (Australia) | Melbourne (Australia) | Diff |
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ||
| AU$11 | AU$8 | 48% |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ||
| AU$18 | AU$19 | 2% |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ||
| AU$68 | AU$61 | 12% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ||
| AU$8 | AU$7 | 13% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ||
| AU$4.95 | AU$4.57 | 8% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ||
| AU$5.53 | AU$5.32 | 4% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ||
| AU$2.66 | AU$2.66 | 0% |
| Tube of toothpaste | ||
| AU$3.81 | AU$3.01 | 27% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ||
| AU$26 | AU$34 | 23% |
| Entertainment in Cairns (Australia) is 23% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||
| Cairns (Australia) | Melbourne (Australia) | Diff |
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ||
| AU$54 | AU$51 | 5% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ||
| AU$38 | AU$39 | 3% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ||
| AU$114 | AU$226 | 50% |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ||
| AU$119 | AU$80 | 49% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ||
| AU$15 | AU$16 | 6% |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ||
| AU$4.57 | AU$4.43 | 3% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ||
| AU$7 | AU$10 | 32% |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ||
| AU$720 | AU$634 | 14% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ||
| AU$1.00 | AU$0.25 | 307% |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ||
| AU$57 | AU$72 | 20% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ||
| AU$23 | AU$34 | 32% |
Detailed prices for each city individually
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Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require AU$9,600 in Melbourne you would need to make just about AU$8,963 in Cairns.