Planning your move to Australia? Understanding the real cost of living is essential for budgeting your new life. This comprehensive guide breaks down expenses across Australia's three largest cities - Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane - so you can plan with confidence.
Quick Cost Comparison (Weekly)
| Expense | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared room | $280-380 | $220-320 | $200-280 |
| 1-bedroom apartment | $500-700 | $400-550 | $350-480 |
| Groceries (single) | $100-140 | $90-120 | $80-110 |
| Public transport | $40-60 | $35-50 | $35-50 |
| Utilities (share) | $30-50 | $35-55 | $25-40 |
| Mobile phone | $20-40 | $20-40 | $20-40 |
| Entertainment | $50-100 | $50-100 | $40-80 |
| TOTAL (shared room) | $520-770 | $450-685 | $400-600 |
Note: Costs are estimates based on 2024-2025 data. Individual experiences may vary based on lifestyle and location within each city.
Sydney: Australia's Most Expensive City
Sydney consistently ranks as Australia's most expensive city and one of the most expensive globally. However, higher wages often offset the increased costs.
Accommodation
Sydney's housing costs are the highest in Australia.
| Accommodation Type | Weekly Rent | Bond Required |
|---|---|---|
| Shared room (inner suburbs) | $300-400 | 2 weeks rent |
| Shared room (outer suburbs) | $220-300 | 2 weeks rent |
| Studio apartment (inner) | $450-600 | 4 weeks rent |
| 1-bedroom apartment (inner) | $550-750 | 4 weeks rent |
| 1-bedroom (outer suburbs) | $400-500 | 4 weeks rent |
| 2-bedroom to share | $700-1,000 | 4 weeks rent |
Affordable suburbs for newcomers:
- Inner west: Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Ashfield
- South: Mascot, Rockdale, Hurstville
- West: Parramatta, Strathfield, Auburn
- North: Chatswood (convenient but pricey)
Groceries & Food
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.80-2.50 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.50-4.50 |
| Rice (1kg) | $2.50-4.00 |
| Chicken breast (1kg) | $10-14 |
| Eggs (12) | $5-8 |
| Bananas (1kg) | $3-5 |
| Coffee (café) | $4.50-6.00 |
| Lunch (casual) | $15-22 |
| Dinner (restaurant) | $25-45 |
| Weekly groceries (single) | $100-140 |
Money-saving tips:
- Shop at Aldi or Costco for lower prices
- Asian grocers in Eastwood, Cabramatta, and Burwood offer great value
- Harris Farm Markets for fresh produce at market prices
- $10-15 lunch specials are common in CBD food courts
Transport
Sydney uses the Opal card for all public transport.
| Transport Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Opal single trip (train, varies by distance) | $3.50-8.00 |
| Opal weekly cap | $50 (travel all week) |
| Opal daily cap | $17.80 (adult) |
| Student/concession daily cap | $8.90 |
| Monthly transport (typical) | $160-240 |
Sydney transport tips:
- Opal caps mean unlimited weekend travel for $8.90
- Off-peak discounts (30%) apply outside rush hours
- Ferries are scenic but count toward your cap
- Light rail is included in Opal
Utilities
| Utility | Monthly Cost (per person in share house) |
|---|---|
| Electricity | $50-80 |
| Gas | $20-40 |
| Water | Usually included in rent |
| Internet (shared) | $15-25 |
| Total utilities | $85-145 |
Melbourne: The Cultural Capital
Melbourne is slightly more affordable than Sydney, with a strong café culture and excellent public transport.
Accommodation
| Accommodation Type | Weekly Rent | Bond Required |
|---|---|---|
| Shared room (inner suburbs) | $250-350 | 1 month rent |
| Shared room (outer suburbs) | $180-250 | 1 month rent |
| Studio apartment (inner) | $380-500 | 1 month rent |
| 1-bedroom apartment (inner) | $450-600 | 1 month rent |
| 1-bedroom (outer suburbs) | $350-450 | 1 month rent |
| 2-bedroom to share | $550-800 | 1 month rent |
Affordable suburbs for newcomers:
- North: Brunswick, Coburg, Preston (trendy, affordable)
- West: Footscray, Sunshine, Seddon (multicultural, cheap)
- Southeast: Clayton, Caulfield (near Monash University)
- East: Box Hill, Glen Waverley (Asian community, good transport)
Groceries & Food
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.70-2.40 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.50-4.00 |
| Rice (1kg) | $2.50-4.00 |
| Chicken breast (1kg) | $10-13 |
| Eggs (12) | $5-7 |
| Bananas (1kg) | $3-5 |
| Coffee (café) | $4.00-5.50 |
| Lunch (casual) | $14-20 |
| Dinner (restaurant) | $22-40 |
| Weekly groceries (single) | $90-120 |
Money-saving tips:
- Queen Victoria Market for fresh produce (especially Wednesday bargains)
- Footscray Market for affordable Asian groceries
- $12-18 lunch specials in CBD and inner suburbs
- Aldi and Costco for budget shopping
Transport
Melbourne uses the Myki card for all public transport.
| Transport Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Myki Money (2-hour fare, Zone 1+2) | $5.30 |
| Myki daily cap (full fare) | $10.60 |
| Myki weekly cap (full fare) | $53.00 |
| Student/concession daily cap | $5.30 |
| Monthly transport (typical) | $140-210 |
Melbourne transport tips:
- Free Tram Zone covers the entire CBD - save on short trips
- Myki Pass offers better value for regular travellers
- Trains run frequently to suburbs
- Night Network runs 24/7 on weekends
Utilities
| Utility | Monthly Cost (per person in share house) |
|---|---|
| Electricity | $55-90 |
| Gas (heating is common) | $30-60 |
| Water | Usually included in rent |
| Internet (shared) | $15-25 |
| Total utilities | $100-175 |
Melbourne's colder winters mean higher heating costs than Sydney or Brisbane.
Brisbane: The Affordable Sunshine City
Brisbane offers the best value among the three cities, with warm weather and a growing economy.
Accommodation
| Accommodation Type | Weekly Rent | Bond Required |
|---|---|---|
| Shared room (inner suburbs) | $200-280 | 4 weeks rent |
| Shared room (outer suburbs) | $160-220 | 4 weeks rent |
| Studio apartment (inner) | $320-420 | 4 weeks rent |
| 1-bedroom apartment (inner) | $380-500 | 4 weeks rent |
| 1-bedroom (outer suburbs) | $300-400 | 4 weeks rent |
| 2-bedroom to share | $480-650 | 4 weeks rent |
Affordable suburbs for newcomers:
- Inner north: Kelvin Grove, Herston (near QUT)
- West: Toowong, St Lucia (near UQ)
- South: South Brisbane, Woolloongabba
- Outer: Sunnybank, Eight Mile Plains (Asian community)
Groceries & Food
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.60-2.30 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.50-3.80 |
| Rice (1kg) | $2.50-3.80 |
| Chicken breast (1kg) | $9-12 |
| Eggs (12) | $5-7 |
| Bananas (1kg) | $2.50-4.50 |
| Coffee (café) | $4.00-5.00 |
| Lunch (casual) | $12-18 |
| Dinner (restaurant) | $20-35 |
| Weekly groceries (single) | $80-110 |
Money-saving tips:
- Rocklea Markets for wholesale produce prices
- Sunnybank for affordable Asian groceries and food
- South Bank has free entertainment and cultural events
- Many outdoor activities are free - beaches, parks, hiking
Transport
Brisbane uses the Go Card for all public transport.
| Transport Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Go Card single trip (varies by zones) | $3.40-6.80 |
| Go Card daily cap | $10.00 |
| Go Card weekly (8 journeys = 50% off) | Variable |
| Student/concession fares | ~50% discount |
| Monthly transport (typical) | $120-180 |
Brisbane transport tips:
- Free CityHopper ferry runs along the Brisbane River
- Go Card gives 30% off compared to paper tickets
- After 8 journeys per week, you get 50% off remaining trips
- Driving is more common than in Sydney/Melbourne
Utilities
| Utility | Monthly Cost (per person in share house) |
|---|---|
| Electricity (air conditioning!) | $50-80 |
| Gas | $15-30 |
| Water | Usually included in rent |
| Internet (shared) | $15-25 |
| Total utilities | $80-135 |
Brisbane's warm climate means air conditioning costs in summer but minimal heating in winter.
Monthly Budget Examples
Single Person on a Tight Budget
| Expense | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared room | $1,200 | $1,000 | $880 |
| Groceries | $400 | $360 | $320 |
| Transport | $180 | $160 | $140 |
| Utilities | $100 | $120 | $90 |
| Mobile phone | $30 | $30 | $30 |
| Entertainment | $150 | $150 | $120 |
| TOTAL | $2,060 | $1,820 | $1,580 |
Single Person (Comfortable)
| Expense | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | $2,400 | $2,000 | $1,600 |
| Groceries | $500 | $450 | $400 |
| Transport | $200 | $180 | $160 |
| Utilities | $150 | $180 | $130 |
| Mobile phone | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Entertainment | $300 | $300 | $250 |
| TOTAL | $3,600 | $3,160 | $2,590 |
Couple (Comfortable)
| Expense | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-bedroom apartment | $3,200 | $2,600 | $2,200 |
| Groceries | $700 | $600 | $520 |
| Transport (x2) | $350 | $300 | $260 |
| Utilities | $200 | $240 | $180 |
| Mobile phones (x2) | $80 | $80 | $80 |
| Entertainment | $400 | $400 | $350 |
| TOTAL | $4,930 | $4,220 | $3,590 |
Minimum Wage & Earning Potential
Understanding wages helps put costs in perspective.
| Wage Type | Amount (2024-25) |
|---|---|
| National minimum wage | $24.10/hour |
| Casual loading (+25%) | $30.13/hour |
| Part-time (20 hrs/week) | ~$2,080/month |
| Full-time minimum | ~$4,170/month |
International students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term time and unlimited hours during breaks.
Common Student/Newcomer Jobs
| Job Type | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Café/restaurant | $25-32 |
| Retail | $25-30 |
| Warehouse | $28-35 |
| Cleaning | $28-35 |
| Tutoring | $30-60 |
| Delivery (Uber Eats etc.) | $15-25 (variable) |
Money-Saving Tips for All Cities
Groceries
- Shop at Aldi - consistently lowest prices
- Buy store brands at Coles and Woolworths
- Use cashback apps like Shopback
- Check Ozbargain.com.au for deals
- Buy in bulk at Costco if you have storage
Accommodation
- Live further out - rent drops significantly outside inner suburbs
- Share with more people - 4-person shares are cheapest per person
- Consider homestays - includes meals and utilities
- Look for bills-included rentals to simplify budgeting
Transport
- Walk and cycle when possible
- Use transport caps - plan trips to maximise savings
- Buy a used bicycle - many cities are bike-friendly
- Carpool or rideshare for distant destinations
Entertainment
- Free events - each city has free festivals, markets, and outdoor activities
- Student discounts - always ask, many venues offer 10-20% off
- Happy hour - bars and restaurants offer discounted drinks 4-7pm
- Library membership - free access to books, movies, and events
Which City Should You Choose?
| If You Want... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Highest earning potential | Sydney |
| Best café culture & arts | Melbourne |
| Best weather & affordability | Brisbane |
| Strong job market | Sydney or Melbourne |
| Outdoor lifestyle | Brisbane |
| Most savings on same wage | Brisbane |
How First Migration Can Help
Understanding the cost of living is just one part of planning your Australian journey. At First Migration Service Centre, we help you navigate your visa options to make your move to Australia a reality:
- Student visa applications
- Skilled migration pathways
- Working holiday visa advice
- Partner and family visas
Ready to start your Australian journey? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice.
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