Cost of Living

Melbourne, Australia

Live cost-of-living data for Melbourne — rent, groceries, transport, healthcare and more, sourced and cross-checked by AI and refreshed regularly.

CheapestNew York = 100
48/ 10052% cheaper than New York
+25% rent since Jul 2026
$4,100/mo
Median Income
70/100
Safety
32.5%
Income Tax
temperate
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

Each score runs 0–100, where higher means pricier. Representative prices shown per category.

Housing
78/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$1,785/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$1,200/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$3,200/month
Food & Groceries
72/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.8/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$3.5/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$2.5/kg
Transportation
65/100
Monthly Transit Pass$115/month
One-Way Ticket$3.7/trip
Taxi (1 km)$2.1/km
Utilities
62/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$230/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$65/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$45/month
Healthcare
75/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$120/visit
Dentist Visit$150/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$25/course
Education
70/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$750/month
International Primary School (yearly)$18,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$550/course
Entertainment
68/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$16/ticket
Theater Ticket$60/ticket
Museum Entry$20/ticket
Clothing
70/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$98/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$58/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$135/pair
Personal Care
68/100
Haircut (Men)$30/cut
Haircut (Women)$60/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$8/bottle
Dining Out
70/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$19/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$95/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$13/meal
Childcare
68/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$1,200/month
Babysitter (per hour)$22/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$30/pack
Fitness & Sports
62/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$65/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$30/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$12/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

70 Mbps
Internet Speed
$240
Coworking/Month
good
Café WiFi
high
English Level
growing
Nomad Community
74/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: CBD, South Yarra, Fitzroy

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Melbourne cheap to live in?

Melbourne has a cost of living index of 48/100, where New York = 100. It is 52% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,720–$2,408 per month.

How much does rent cost in Melbourne?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Melbourne costs approximately $1,785/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $1,200/month.

Is Melbourne good for digital nomads?

Melbourne has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 70 Mbps, café wifi reliability is good, and coworking spaces run about $240/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in Melbourne?

The median net monthly salary in Melbourne is approximately $4,100 USD. The income tax rate is around 32.5%.

How does Melbourne compare to New York for cost of living?

Melbourne (cost index 48) is 52% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,300/month by moving from New York to Melbourne.

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