Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Australia and United States.
In simple terms, living in Australia is 22.3% cheaper than United States. The biggest difference is in Other Expenses, where costs are 211.5% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in United States, you would spend about $78 in Australia for the same standard of living.
Australia is 41.7% cheaper
Australia is 38.3% cheaper
Australia is 22.9% cheaper
Australia is 22.3% cheaper than United States
Yes, Australia is cheaper than United States
Overall, living costs in Australia are 22.3% lower than in United States.
Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Australia is indeed cheaper than United States. You would save approximately 22.3% on living expenses by choosing Australia over United States. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.
Australia is 22.3% cheaper than United States
Australia is 6.6% cheaper than United States in this category
Australia is 14.2% more expensive than United States in this category
Australia is 211.5% more expensive than United States in this category
Australia is 8.0% cheaper than United States in this category
Australia is 15.7% cheaper than United States in this category
Australia is 38.3% cheaper than United States in this category
Australia is 5.2% cheaper than United States in this category
Australia is 41.7% cheaper than United States in this category
Australia is 12.1% more expensive than United States in this category
Australia is 22.9% cheaper than United States in this category
Australia is 99.7% more expensive than United States in this category
Australia is 16.4% cheaper than United States in this category
| Item | Australia | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Restaurant Meal | 16.22 $ | 20.00 $ |
18.9%
Australia is
18.9%
cheaper
|
| Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant | 77.88 $ | 75.00 $ |
3.8%
Australia is
3.8%
more expensive
|
| McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal | 9.73 $ | 11.50 $ |
15.4%
Australia is
15.4%
cheaper
|
| Regular Cappuccino | 3.48 $ | 5.24 $ |
33.6%
Australia is
33.6%
cheaper
|
| Soft Drink (330ml) | 2.62 $ | 2.56 $ |
2.3%
Australia is
2.3%
more expensive
|
| Bottled Water (330ml) | 2.16 $ | 2.09 $ |
3.3%
Australia is
3.3%
more expensive
|
| Bottled Water (1.5L) | 1.51 $ | 2.23 $ |
32.3%
Australia is
32.3%
cheaper
|
| Imported Beer (330ml) | 1.29 $ | 4.38 $ |
70.5%
Australia is
70.5%
cheaper
|
| Milk (1L) | 1.53 $ | 1.06 $ |
44.3%
Australia is
44.3%
more expensive
|
| Fresh Bread (500g) | 2.45 $ | 3.63 $ |
32.5%
Australia is
32.5%
cheaper
|
| White Rice (1kg) | 2.05 $ | 4.61 $ |
55.5%
Australia is
55.5%
cheaper
|
| Eggs (12 pack) | 4.31 $ | 4.29 $ |
0.5%
Australia is
0.5%
more expensive
|
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 8.89 $ | 12.93 $ |
31.2%
Australia is
31.2%
cheaper
|
| Chicken Breast (1kg) | 8.44 $ | 12.20 $ |
30.8%
Australia is
30.8%
cheaper
|
| Beef (1kg) | 13.88 $ | 10.78 $ |
28.8%
Australia is
28.8%
more expensive
|
| Apples (1kg) | 3.19 $ | 5.28 $ |
39.6%
Australia is
39.6%
cheaper
|
| Bananas (1kg) | 2.75 $ | 1.68 $ |
63.7%
Australia is
63.7%
more expensive
|
| Oranges (1kg) | 2.93 $ | 4.50 $ |
34.9%
Australia is
34.9%
cheaper
|
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 4.30 $ | 4.91 $ |
12.4%
Australia is
12.4%
cheaper
|
| Potatoes (1kg) | 2.47 $ | 2.94 $ |
16.0%
Australia is
16.0%
cheaper
|
| Onions (1kg) | 2.14 $ | 3.08 $ |
30.5%
Australia is
30.5%
cheaper
|
| Lettuce (1 head) | 2.22 $ | 2.20 $ |
0.9%
Australia is
0.9%
more expensive
|
| Monthly Transit Pass | 97.35 $ | 65.00 $ |
49.8%
Australia is
49.8%
more expensive
|
| Cigarettes (20 pack) | 31.15 $ | 10.00 $ |
211.5%
Australia is
211.5%
more expensive
|
| Single Bus/Train Ticket | 2.92 $ | 2.50 $ |
16.8%
Australia is
16.8%
more expensive
|
| Taxi Base Fare | 3.89 $ | 3.75 $ |
3.7%
Australia is
3.7%
more expensive
|
| Taxi per Kilometer | 1.88 $ | 1.74 $ |
8.0%
Australia is
8.0%
more expensive
|
| Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate | 37.90 $ | 30.00 $ |
26.3%
Australia is
26.3%
more expensive
|
| Gasoline (1L) | 1.18 $ | 0.93 $ |
26.9%
Australia is
26.9%
more expensive
|
| New Economy Car | 28,829.12 $ | 30,000.00 $ |
3.9%
Australia is
3.9%
cheaper
|
| New Mid-Range Car | 22,658.59 $ | 25,982.09 $ |
12.8%
Australia is
12.8%
cheaper
|
| Monthly Utilities (80m² size) | 175.90 $ | 208.61 $ |
15.7%
Australia is
15.7%
cheaper
|
| 10 GB Mobile Plan with Data | 26.66 $ | 57.38 $ |
53.5%
Australia is
53.5%
cheaper
|
| High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) | 52.98 $ | 71.66 $ |
26.1%
Australia is
26.1%
cheaper
|
| Gym Membership | 47.43 $ | 46.22 $ |
2.6%
Australia is
2.6%
more expensive
|
| Tennis Court (Weekend) | 16.59 $ | 21.94 $ |
24.4%
Australia is
24.4%
cheaper
|
| Movie Ticket | 14.28 $ | 14.44 $ |
1.1%
Australia is
1.1%
cheaper
|
| Private Preschool (Full Day) | 1,570.69 $ | 1,372.78 $ |
14.4%
Australia is
14.4%
more expensive
|
| International School (Yearly) | 12,354.33 $ | 22,512.19 $ |
45.1%
Australia is
45.1%
cheaper
|
| 1 Pair of Jeans | 71.57 $ | 52.18 $ |
37.2%
Australia is
37.2%
more expensive
|
| 1 Summer Dress | 50.87 $ | 42.56 $ |
19.5%
Australia is
19.5%
more expensive
|
| 1 Pair of Running Shoes | 102.13 $ | 89.93 $ |
13.6%
Australia is
13.6%
more expensive
|
| 1 Pair of Business Shoes | 109.73 $ | 113.60 $ |
3.4%
Australia is
3.4%
cheaper
|
| 1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) | 1,381.57 $ | 1,746.65 $ |
20.9%
Australia is
20.9%
cheaper
|
| 1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) | 1,095.96 $ | 1,440.62 $ |
23.9%
Australia is
23.9%
cheaper
|
| 3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) | 2,332.99 $ | 2,896.11 $ |
19.4%
Australia is
19.4%
cheaper
|
| 3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) | 1,729.44 $ | 2,403.74 $ |
28.1%
Australia is
28.1%
cheaper
|
| Apartment Price (City Center) per m² | 6,794.53 $ | 3,233.83 $ |
110.1%
Australia is
110.1%
more expensive
|
| Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² | 5,084.33 $ | 2,715.21 $ |
87.3%
Australia is
87.3%
more expensive
|
| Average Monthly Salary (after tax) | 3,619.71 $ | 4,329.01 $ |
16.4%
Australia is
16.4%
cheaper
|
| 20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate | 6.35 | 6.51 |
2.5%
Australia is
2.5%
cheaper
|
Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to United States. Enter your monthly expenses in Australia to see the equivalent costs.
Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:
Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.
Understanding the cost of living differences between Australia and United States goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:
While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:
Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:
While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.
Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.
