Cost of living in Melbourne, Australia

Summary of cost of living in Melbourne

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: AU$8,598
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: AU$4,808
  • Melbourne is the most expensive city in Australia (1 out of 8)
  • Melbourne is the most expensive city in Oceania (1 out of 12)
  • Cost of living in Melbourne is more expensive than in 88% of cities in the World (19 out of 150)
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List of prices in Melbourne
Current as of Feb 2025.

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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$15
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast AU$9
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk AU$2.28
12 eggs, large AU$8
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes AU$7
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese AU$10
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples AU$5.22
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes AU$3.83
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket AU$8
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality AU$19
2 liters of coca-cola AU$4.11
Bread for 2 people for 1 day AU$3.16
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area AU$4,211
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area AU$2,730
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat AU$285
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area AU$2,291
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area AU$1,953
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio AU$201
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) AU$74
40” flat screen tv AU$672
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) AU$260
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) AU$14
Hourly rate for cleaning help AU$49
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) AU$117
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) AU$93
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) AU$172
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes AU$192
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new AU$38,942
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas AU$1.95
Monthly ticket public transport AU$181
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) AU$29
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) AU$8
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) AU$19
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) AU$81
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) AU$7
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) AU$5.66
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) AU$11
4 rolls of toilet paper AU$4.98
Tube of toothpaste AU$5.82
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city AU$43
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub AU$79
2 tickets to the movies AU$44
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) AU$379
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert AU$122
1 cocktail drink in downtown club AU$24
Cappuccino in expat area of the city AU$5.33
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) AU$14
Ipad wi-fi 128gb AU$1,002
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) AU$0.45
1 month of gym membership in business district AU$83
1 package of marlboro cigarettes AU$45
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 490 prices entered by 70 different people.
Latest price update: February 17, 2025

Melbourne position in our World Ranking

the world
19th
out of 150
oceania
1st
out of 12
australia
1st
out of 8

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

the world
3rd
the world
5th
oceania
1st
oceania
1st
oceania
1st
oceania
1st

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Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new

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International Cost of Living Index

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