Cost of living in Melbourne, Australia

Summary of cost of living in Melbourne

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: AU$8,079
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: AU$4,417
  • Melbourne is the 2nd most expensive city in Australia (2 out of 8)
  • Melbourne is the 3rd most expensive city in Oceania (3 out of 12)
  • Cost of living in Melbourne is more expensive than in 86% of cities in the World (28 out of 197)
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List of prices in Melbourne
Current as of Dec 2023.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district AU$24
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) AU$14
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast AU$7
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk AU$2.07
12 eggs, large AU$6
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes AU$7
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese AU$9
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples AU$5.07
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes AU$3.67
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket AU$6
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality AU$20
2 liters of coca-cola AU$4.16
Bread for 2 people for 1 day AU$3.30
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area AU$3,641
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area AU$2,559
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat AU$216
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area AU$2,368
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area AU$1,876
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio AU$198
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) AU$78
40” flat screen tv AU$858
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) AU$294
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) AU$14
Hourly rate for cleaning help AU$39
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) AU$140
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) AU$89
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) AU$181
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes AU$195
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new AU$37,072
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas AU$2.05
Monthly ticket public transport AU$179
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) AU$31
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) AU$10
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) AU$19
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) AU$103
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) AU$11
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) AU$7
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) AU$8
4 rolls of toilet paper AU$5.35
Tube of toothpaste AU$4.71
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city AU$34
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub AU$59
2 tickets to the movies AU$44
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) AU$484
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert AU$128
1 cocktail drink in downtown club AU$23
Cappuccino in expat area of the city AU$5.44
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) AU$12
Ipad wi-fi 128gb AU$1,036
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) AU$0.47
1 month of gym membership in business district AU$83
1 package of marlboro cigarettes AU$43
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 635 prices entered by 106 different people.
Latest price update: December 03, 2023

Melbourne position in our World Ranking

the world
28th
out of 197
oceania
3rd
out of 12
australia
2nd
out of 8

Cheapest and most expensive products in Melbourne compared to other cities:

the world
3rd
oceania
1st
oceania
1st
oceania
1st
oceania
1st
oceania
1st

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International Cost of Living Index

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