Cost of living in Australia compared to Japan
Currency:
Food | + 33% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Australia is 33% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Australia | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$22 (¥2,082) | ¥1,035 | + 101% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$15 (¥1,465) | ¥820 | + 79% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$7 (¥677) | ¥618 | + 10% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.90 (¥183) | ¥237 | - 23% | |
12 eggs, large | AU$8 (¥743) | ¥335 | + 122% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$5.74 (¥554) | ¥439 | + 26% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$9 (¥895) | ¥1,195 | - 25% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.92 (¥474) | ¥822 | - 42% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.73 (¥360) | ¥509 | - 29% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$7 (¥637) | ¥312 | + 104% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$21 (¥2,065) | ¥1,267 | + 63% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.99 (¥385) | ¥276 | + 39% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.37 (¥229) | ¥293 | - 22% | |
Housing | + 36% | |||
Housing in Australia is 36% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Australia | Japan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$3,994 (¥385,268) | ¥365,082 | + 6% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$2,720 (¥262,382) | ¥197,811 | + 33% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$251 (¥24,254) | ¥19,132 | + 27% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$2,834 (¥273,391) | ¥145,654 | + 88% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$2,188 (¥211,073) | ¥106,059 | + 99% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$190 (¥18,319) | ¥8,349 | + 119% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$66 (¥6,409) | ¥4,448 | + 44% | |
40” flat screen tv | AU$780 (¥75,230) | ¥74,559 | + 1% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$219 (¥21,147) | ¥25,414 | - 17% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$15 (¥1,424) | ¥1,338 | + 6% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$37 (¥3,614) | ¥2,815 | + 28% | |
Clothes | + 54% | |||
Clothes in Australia is 54% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Australia | Japan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$122 (¥11,744) | ¥9,315 | + 26% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$97 (¥9,363) | ¥5,103 | + 83% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$170 (¥16,419) | ¥10,686 | + 54% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$182 (¥17,561) | ¥12,189 | + 44% | |
Transportation | + 48% | |||
Transportation in Australia is 48% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Australia | Japan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$40,695 (¥3,925,555) | ¥3,060,780 | + 28% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.92 (¥186) | ¥169 | + 10% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | AU$142 (¥13,670) | ¥8,198 | + 67% | |
Personal Care | - 20% | |||
Personal Care in Australia is 20% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
Australia | Japan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$10 (¥939) | ¥2,133 | - 56% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$23 (¥2,199) | ¥2,551 | - 14% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$82 (¥7,922) | - | - | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$8 (¥726) | ¥1,337 | - 46% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$5.28 (¥509) | ¥930 | - 45% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$7 (¥712) | ¥622 | + 15% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$4.36 (¥420) | ¥224 | + 87% | |
Tube of toothpaste | AU$4.58 (¥441) | ¥188 | + 135% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$39 (¥3,725) | ¥4,604 | - 19% | |
Entertainment | + 61% | |||
Entertainment in Australia is 61% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
Australia | Japan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$71 (¥6,855) | ¥4,908 | + 40% | |
2 tickets to the movies | AU$47 (¥4,510) | ¥3,881 | + 16% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$356 (¥34,356) | ¥7,212 | + 376% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$141 (¥13,589) | ¥8,269 | + 64% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$22 (¥2,170) | ¥1,244 | + 74% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.56 (¥536) | ¥547 | - 2% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$12 (¥1,176) | ¥674 | + 75% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$863 (¥83,200) | ¥51,659 | + 61% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.77 (¥74) | ¥52 | + 43% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$94 (¥9,043) | ¥9,530 | - 5% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$45 (¥4,324) | ¥613 | + 606% | |
TOTAL | + 39% |

These prices were last updated on July 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
96.463
JPY
/
AUD
Cost of living in Australia is 39% more expensive than in Japan
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