Cost of Living by City — Australia
Compare prices and living costs across Australian capital cities using official ABS CPI data.
This tool uses the Australian Bureau of Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) to compare cost of living across Australia's 8 capital cities. Select two cities to see a side-by-side breakdown across 12 expenditure categories, plus estimated weekly budgets.
Data source: ABS 6401.0 Consumer Price Index, Table 8. Last updated: March quarter 2026.
Cost Comparison
Sydney is 1.0% more expensive than Melbourne overall
Estimated Weekly Budget
Estimated average weekly household spending based on ABS Household Expenditure Survey, adjusted to 2026 prices.
Sydney
$1,180/week
$61,360/year
Melbourne
$1,120/week
$58,240/year
Living in Sydney costs approximately $60 more per week than Melbourne for a single person.
CPI Index by Category
Higher index = higher prices relative to 2011-12 baseline (100)
| Category | Sydney | Melbourne | Sydney vs Melbourne |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & non-alcoholic beverages | 140.5 | 139.2 | 0.9% higher |
| Housing | 145.8 | 140.1 | 4.1% higher |
| Transport | 131.4 | 132.8 | 1.1% lower |
| Health | 148.2 | 147.5 | Similar |
| Education | 152.6 | 150.9 | 1.1% higher |
| Recreation & culture | 120.3 | 121.7 | 1.2% lower |
| Clothing & footwear | 98.7 | 99.1 | Similar |
| Furnishings & household equipment | 115.4 | 114.8 | 0.5% higher |
| Communication | 88.2 | 87.9 | Similar |
| Insurance & financial services | 155.9 | 154.2 | 1.1% higher |
| Alcohol & tobacco | 159.3 | 157.8 | 1.0% higher |
Tips for New Immigrants
- Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive cities overall, but Melbourne is slightly cheaper for housing.
- Darwin has high food costs due to transport distances, but lower housing costs.
- Adelaide and Perth offer the lowest overall cost of living among major cities.
- Canberra has high education and health costs but relatively moderate housing.
- Consider commute costs — a cheaper suburb far from the CBD may cost more in transport.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is cost of living measured in this tool?
This tool uses the ABS Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures price changes for a basket of goods and services in each capital city. The index is relative to 2011-12 prices (base = 100). A higher number means prices have increased more since that baseline.
Which Australian city has the highest cost of living?
As of March 2026, Sydney has the highest overall CPI at 138.2, followed by Brisbane (137.5) and Hobart (137.1). However, rankings vary by category — Darwin has the highest food costs, while Sydney leads in housing.
Which Australian city is cheapest to live in?
Darwin (132.8) and Perth (134.6) have the lowest overall CPI indexes as of March 2026. However, Darwin has very high food prices. Adelaide (135.9) offers a good balance of affordable housing, food and transport.
How much does a single person need to live in Sydney?
Based on ABS Household Expenditure Survey data adjusted for 2026 prices, a single person in Sydney needs approximately $1,180 per week ($61,360 per year) to cover all living expenses including housing, food, transport and recreation.
How often is this data updated?
The ABS publishes CPI data quarterly — typically in late January (Sep quarter), late April (Dec quarter), late July (Mar quarter) and late October (Jun quarter). This tool is updated after each quarterly release.
Does this include rent prices?
Yes, the Housing category in the CPI includes rents, new dwelling purchases, maintenance and repairs, utilities (water, electricity, gas) and other housing costs. It reflects overall housing cost changes, not absolute dollar amounts.