Cost of living in Melbourne (Australia) is 20% cheaper than in Sydney (Australia)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,319 prices entered by 197 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 1% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Melbourne (Australia) is about the same as in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | 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$12 | AU$12 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$5.49 | AU$6 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.50 | AU$1.50 | - 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$5.34 | AU$5.57 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$4.94 | AU$4.96 | - 0% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$8 | AU$6 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.54 | AU$4.81 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.17 | AU$3.27 | - 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$5.46 | AU$5.43 | + 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$18 | AU$18 | - 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$2.78 | AU$2.82 | - 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.77 | AU$2.42 | + 15% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in Melbourne (Australia) is 30% cheaper than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$3,007 | AU$4,543 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$2,134 | AU$2,800 | - 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$253 | AU$333 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$1,785 | AU$2,600 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,374 | AU$1,873 | - 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$156 | AU$283 | - 45% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$48 | AU$69 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$399 | AU$575 | - 31% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$253 | AU$186 | + 36% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$12 | AU$19 | - 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$28 | AU$36 | - 21% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Melbourne (Australia) is 10% cheaper than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$101 | AU$101 | - 0% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$58 | AU$68 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$130 | AU$140 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$133 | AU$155 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | - 21% | |||
| Transportation in Melbourne (Australia) is 21% cheaper than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$27,303 | AU$29,501 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.38 | AU$1.40 | - 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$158 | AU$210 | - 24% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$21 | AU$25 | - 15% | |
| Personal Care | + 0% | |||
| Personal Care in Melbourne (Australia) is about the same as in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$8 | AU$10 | - 23% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$18 | AU$15 | + 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$74 | AU$64 | + 16% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$6 | AU$7 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$4.60 | AU$4.44 | + 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.32 | AU$8 | - 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$3.24 | AU$3.75 | - 14% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.01 | AU$4.08 | - 26% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$36 | AU$24 | + 51% | |
| Entertainment | - 23% | |||
| Entertainment in Melbourne (Australia) is 23% cheaper than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$45 | AU$49 | - 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$39 | AU$38 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$234 | AU$252 | - 7% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$79 | AU$97 | - 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$16 | AU$19 | - 13% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$4.46 | AU$4.24 | + 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$10 | AU$8 | + 28% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$634 | AU$711 | - 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.21 | AU$0.75 | - 72% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$72 | AU$80 | - 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$34 | AU$43 | - 20% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 20% | ||
These prices were last updated on July 30, 2021.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,319 prices entered by 197 different people.
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