Cost of living in Australia compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Australia is 9% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Australia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$22 ($15) | $17 | - 10% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$13 ($9) | $9 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$7 ($4.63) | $5.06 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.43 ($0.99) | $0.99 | + 0% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$5.82 ($4.02) | $3.33 | + 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$6 ($4.43) | $4.44 | - 0% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$9 ($6) | $7 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.43 ($3.06) | $3.92 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.13 ($2.16) | $1.94 | + 11% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$6 ($4.26) | $3.35 | + 27% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$21 ($15) | $16 | - 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.22 ($2.23) | $2.26 | - 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$1.94 ($1.34) | $2.45 | - 45% | |
| Housing | - 19% | |||
| Housing in Australia is 19% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Australia | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$2,653 ($1,834) | $2,514 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$1,914 ($1,323) | $1,957 | - 32% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$223 ($154) | $205 | - 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$2,260 ($1,562) | $1,777 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,670 ($1,154) | $1,349 | - 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$169 ($117) | $139 | - 16% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$64 ($45) | $57 | - 21% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$584 ($404) | $303 | + 33% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$229 ($158) | $134 | + 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$13 ($9) | $12 | - 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$39 ($27) | $26 | + 2% | |
| Clothes | + 17% | |||
| Clothes in Australia is 17% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Australia | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$119 ($82) | $51 | + 61% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$75 ($52) | $46 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$150 ($104) | $92 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$158 ($109) | $120 | - 9% | |
| Transportation | + 21% | |||
| Transportation in Australia is 21% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Australia | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$32,954 ($22,778) | $25,233 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.87 ($1.29) | $1.06 | + 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$146 ($101) | $77 | + 32% | |
| Personal Care | - 40% | |||
| Personal Care in Australia is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Australia | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$10 ($7) | $7 | - 10% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$14 ($10) | $19 | - 49% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$80 ($55) | $125 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$8 ($5.39) | $7 | - 27% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$4.49 ($3.11) | $4.17 | - 25% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.55 ($3.83) | $5.50 | - 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$3.06 ($2.12) | $4.18 | - 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.43 ($2.37) | $2.05 | + 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$33 ($23) | $25 | - 9% | |
| Entertainment | + 12% | |||
| Entertainment in Australia is 12% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Australia | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$61 ($42) | $49 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$39 ($27) | $27 | + 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$257 ($178) | $192 | - 7% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$112 ($77) | $83 | - 6% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$19 ($13) | $13 | + 5% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.13 ($3.55) | $5.17 | - 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$9 ($7) | $6 | + 5% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$792 ($548) | $499 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.34 ($0.24) | $0.17 | + 40% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$73 ($50) | $52 | - 3% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$41 ($28) | $9 | + 211% | |
| TOTAL | - 5% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.691
USD
/
AUD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 18,049 prices entered by 2,901 different people.
Cost of living in Australia is 5% cheaper than in United States
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