Cost of living in Cairns, Australia vs San Jose, California, United States
Currency:
Food | - 13% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Cairns (Australia) is 13% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$18 ($14) | $19 | - 27% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$10 ($8) | $11 | - 28% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$5.13 ($3.95) | $5.19 | - 24% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.39 ($1.07) | $1.21 | - 11% | |
12 eggs, large | AU$6 ($4.94) | $3.92 | + 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$5.58 ($4.30) | $4.21 | + 2% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$9 ($7) | $7 | + 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.22 ($3.25) | $4.37 | - 26% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.10 ($2.39) | $2.38 | + 1% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$5.15 ($3.97) | $2.95 | + 34% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$24 ($19) | $18 | + 4% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.07 ($2.36) | $2.37 | - 0% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.01 ($1.55) | $2.24 | - 31% | |
Housing | - 37% | |||
Housing in Cairns (Australia) is 37% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$2,272 ($1,750) | $3,253 | - 46% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$1,446 ($1,114) | $2,659 | - 58% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$208 ($160) | $149 | + 7% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$1,462 ($1,127) | $2,294 | - 51% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,239 ($954) | $1,555 | - 39% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$180 ($139) | $114 | + 22% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$63 ($49) | $38 | + 28% | |
40” flat screen tv | AU$725 ($559) | $329 | + 70% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$215 ($166) | $128 | + 30% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$11 ($8) | $10 | - 20% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$29 ($22) | $37 | - 40% | |
Clothes | - 6% | |||
Clothes in Cairns (Australia) is 6% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$93 ($71) | $49 | + 47% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$52 ($40) | $50 | - 20% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$133 ($102) | $89 | + 15% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$111 ($86) | $112 | - 24% | |
Transportation | + 3% | |||
Transportation in Cairns (Australia) is about the same as in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$27,952 ($21,537) | $23,712 | - 9% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.48 ($1.14) | $0.92 | + 23% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | AU$108 ($83) | $81 | + 3% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$27 ($21) | $19 | + 13% | |
Personal Care | - 26% | |||
Personal Care in Cairns (Australia) is 26% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$11 ($9) | $7 | + 27% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$18 ($14) | $21 | - 32% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$68 ($52) | $110 | - 53% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$8 ($5.98) | $7 | - 14% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$4.95 ($3.82) | $3.71 | + 3% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.53 ($4.26) | $5.68 | - 25% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$2.66 ($2.05) | $3.57 | - 43% | |
Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.81 ($2.94) | $1.93 | + 53% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$26 ($20) | $21 | - 5% | |
Entertainment | + 9% | |||
Entertainment in Cairns (Australia) is 9% more expensive than in San Jose, California (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$54 ($41) | $50 | - 17% | |
2 tickets to the movies | AU$38 ($29) | $27 | + 7% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$114 ($88) | $202 | - 56% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$119 ($92) | $89 | + 3% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$15 ($11) | $13 | - 13% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$4.57 ($3.52) | $5.70 | - 38% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$7 ($5.21) | $8 | - 33% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$720 ($555) | $436 | + 27% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$1.00 ($0.77) | $0.43 | + 79% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$57 ($44) | $62 | - 29% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$23 ($17) | $9 | + 96% | |
TOTAL | - 16% |

These prices were last updated on February 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.771
USD
/
AUD
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Cost of living in Cairns (Australia) is 16% cheaper than in San Jose, California (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $9,300 in San Jose, California you would need to make just about $7,787 (AU$10,107) in Cairns.
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