Cost of living in Melbourne (Australia) is 15% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 593 prices entered by 108 different people.
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| Food | - 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Melbourne (Australia) is 6% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$24 ($16) | $16 | + 0% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$14 ($9) | $9 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$7 ($4.61) | $6 | - 24% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$2.05 ($1.31) | $1.20 | + 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$7 ($4.60) | $5.05 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$7 ($4.61) | $6 | - 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$10 ($6) | $8 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$5.01 ($3.20) | $3.25 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.79 ($2.43) | $1.48 | + 63% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$7 ($4.19) | - | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$20 ($13) | - | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$4.26 ($2.72) | - | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$3.46 ($2.21) | - | - | |
| Housing | + 8% | |||
| Housing in Melbourne (Australia) is 8% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$3,862 ($2,470) | $1,794 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$2,620 ($1,676) | $1,350 | + 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$254 ($162) | $212 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$2,308 ($1,476) | $1,518 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,819 ($1,164) | $964 | + 21% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$193 ($123) | - | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$80 ($51) | $57 | - 11% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$540 ($345) | - | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$214 ($137) | - | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$14 ($9) | - | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$35 ($22) | $29 | - 23% | |
| Clothes | - 50% | |||
| Clothes in Melbourne (Australia) is 50% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$132 ($84) | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$87 ($55) | $158 | - 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$180 ($115) | - | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$199 ($127) | - | - | |
| Transportation | + 103% | |||
| Transportation in Melbourne (Australia) is 103% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$35,860 ($22,936) | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$2.03 ($1.30) | $1.13 | + 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$166 ($106) | $33 | + 225% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$32 ($20) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in Melbourne (Australia) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$11 ($7) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$10 ($7) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$83 ($53) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$7 ($4.73) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$5.67 ($3.63) | - | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.34 ($3.42) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$5.05 ($3.23) | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.36 ($2.15) | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$33 ($21) | - | - | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in Melbourne (Australia) is 6% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$57 ($36) | $52 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$44 ($28) | $21 | + 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$358 ($229) | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$125 ($80) | $87 | - 8% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$21 ($14) | - | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.31 ($3.40) | - | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$12 ($7) | - | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$832 ($532) | - | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.37 ($0.24) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$84 ($54) | $54 | - 0% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$40 ($26) | - | - | |
 |
TOTAL | + 15% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 593 prices entered by 108 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 27, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.640
USD
/
AUD
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For example, you would need at least $5,868 (AU$9,174) in Melbourne to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,100 in Arcata, California.
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