Cost of living in Australia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 7% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Australia is 7% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$18 ($14) | $15 | - 7% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$12 ($9) | $8 | + 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$5.97 ($4.63) | $4.25 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.48 ($1.15) | $0.88 | + 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$5.42 ($4.20) | $2.94 | + 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$4.99 ($3.87) | $4.10 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$7 ($5.21) | $6 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.61 ($3.57) | $3.29 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.20 ($2.48) | $1.68 | + 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$5.52 ($4.28) | $3.30 | + 30% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$18 ($14) | $14 | - 1% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$2.91 ($2.25) | $1.99 | + 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.47 ($1.92) | $2.06 | - 7% | |
| Housing | + 6% | |||
| Housing in Australia is 6% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$3,144 ($2,439) | $2,211 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$2,161 ($1,676) | $1,548 | + 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$291 ($225) | $179 | + 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$1,971 ($1,529) | $1,535 | - 0% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,506 ($1,168) | $1,116 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$177 ($138) | $113 | + 22% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$58 ($45) | $50 | - 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$494 ($383) | $271 | + 41% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$245 ($190) | $128 | + 49% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$13 ($10) | $11 | - 5% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$31 ($24) | $22 | + 13% | |
| Clothes | + 25% | |||
| Clothes in Australia is 25% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$101 ($78) | $47 | + 68% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$66 ($51) | $43 | + 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$137 ($106) | $87 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$140 ($108) | $109 | - 1% | |
| Transportation | + 47% | |||
| Transportation in Australia is 47% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$28,179 ($21,858) | $23,574 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.36 ($1.06) | $0.64 | + 66% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$159 ($124) | $74 | + 66% | |
| Personal Care | - 23% | |||
| Personal Care in Australia is 23% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$8 ($6) | $7 | - 10% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$17 ($13) | $16 | - 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$68 ($53) | $112 | - 53% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$7 ($5.16) | $7 | - 21% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$4.67 ($3.62) | $3.47 | + 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$7 ($5.25) | $4.93 | + 6% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$3.38 ($2.62) | $3.64 | - 28% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.51 ($2.72) | $1.81 | + 51% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$28 ($22) | $22 | + 0% | |
| Entertainment | + 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Australia is 6% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$56 ($43) | $46 | - 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$36 ($28) | $25 | + 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$227 ($176) | $205 | - 14% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$91 ($70) | $80 | - 12% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$17 ($13) | $12 | + 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$4.49 ($3.48) | $5.04 | - 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$9 ($7) | $5.85 | + 18% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$663 ($515) | $421 | + 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.51 ($0.39) | $0.51 | - 23% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$70 ($54) | $49 | + 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$35 ($27) | $8 | + 231% | |
| TOTAL | + 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 02, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.776
USD
/
AUD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 35,420 prices entered by 4,625 different people.
Cost of living in Australia is 14% more expensive than in United States
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