MigrantoCost of living in Australia
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Australia
Spending runs from A$1,630 a month in the poorest fifth to A$9,350 in the richest
Per person, whole country
A$3,740
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
A$1,630richest 20%
A$9,350
Where people spend money in Australia
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Australia in numbers
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 9.7% of spending here, or A$362 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 10 points less.
Among the most expensive countries in the world
More expensive than 94% of countries. A basket that costs A$1,420 at world-middle prices costs A$2,700 here.
The most expensive of its neighbours
Every neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs A$2,700 here against A$1,260 in East Timor, the closest on price.
Typical spending takes 67% of the average wage
A typical person spends A$3,740 a month while the average take-home wage is A$5,560, so 33% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Australia compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Australia against other countries
More expensive than 94% of countries
Where Australia sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs A$1,420 at world-middle prices costs A$2,700 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2023 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in Australia
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Cost of living in Australia
A$1,630/mo
vs A$1,140 in your country
Take-home
A$2,220
vs A$1,700 in your country
Potential savings
A$592
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Australia?
A typical person in Australia spends about A$3,740 a month — around A$44,900 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Australia?
By spending, Australia ranks #10 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about A$3,740 a month, the poorest 20% about A$1,630 and the richest 20% about A$9,350. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Australia in US dollars?
The cost of living in Australia is about $2,633 a month, or roughly $31,596 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Australia?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about A$1,630 a month per person, a typical one around A$3,740, and a comfortable life around A$5,120. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Australia?
The biggest expense is housing, at about A$886 a month (24% of spending). Then come transport (A$415, 11%) and leisure & culture (A$389, 10%).
Is the average salary in Australia enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about A$3,740 a month, while the average take-home pay in Australia is about A$5,560. For more on incomes, see salaries in Australia.
Is Australia an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Australia is more expensive than 95% of countries worldwide and ranks 1st of 11 in Oceania by cost of living.
What currency is used in Australia?
Australia uses the Australian Dollar (AUD). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
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Living in Australia
See the full country overview