Cost of living in Townsville (Australia) is 14% cheaper than in Cairns (Australia)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 89 prices entered by 11 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Townsville (Australia) is 10% cheaper than in Cairns (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Townsville | Cairns | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$18 | AU$18 | - 0% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$12 | AU$13 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$5.40 | AU$5.57 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.63 | AU$1.43 | + 14% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$5.96 | AU$7 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$5.55 | AU$7 | - 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$8 | AU$8 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.84 | AU$4.50 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$2.62 | AU$3.51 | - 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$3.97 | AU$5.22 | - 24% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$20 | AU$21 | - 5% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.14 | AU$3.51 | - 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.06 | AU$2.58 | - 20% | |
| Housing | - 6% | |||
| Housing in Townsville (Australia) is 6% cheaper than in Cairns (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Townsville | Cairns | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$2,140 | AU$2,541 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$1,718 | AU$1,571 | + 9% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$233 | AU$208 | + 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$1,319 | AU$1,462 | - 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$963 | AU$1,139 | - 15% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$179 | AU$180 | - 1% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$65 | AU$63 | + 3% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$573 | AU$725 | - 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$247 | AU$215 | + 15% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$26 | AU$11 | + 139% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$24 | AU$30 | - 20% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in Townsville (Australia) is 7% more expensive than in Cairns (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Townsville | Cairns | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$82 | AU$93 | - 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$58 | AU$52 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$162 | AU$128 | + 26% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$129 | AU$111 | + 16% | |
| Transportation | - 33% | |||
| Transportation in Townsville (Australia) is 33% cheaper than in Cairns (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Townsville | Cairns | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$30,767 | AU$27,952 | + 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.67 | AU$1.72 | - 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$56 | AU$108 | - 48% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$19 | AU$27 | - 29% | |
| Personal Care | - 3% | |||
| Personal Care in Townsville (Australia) is about the same as in Cairns (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Townsville | Cairns | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$8 | AU$8 | - 8% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$13 | AU$18 | - 28% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$74 | AU$70 | + 7% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$8 | AU$8 | + 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$4.74 | AU$4.95 | - 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.80 | AU$5.53 | + 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$3.18 | AU$2.66 | + 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.67 | AU$3.81 | - 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$28 | AU$27 | + 4% | |
| Entertainment | - 9% | |||
| Entertainment in Townsville (Australia) is 9% cheaper than in Cairns (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Townsville | Cairns | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$59 | AU$65 | - 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$28 | AU$36 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$107 | AU$114 | - 6% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$93 | AU$114 | - 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$16 | AU$16 | - 5% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$4.57 | AU$4.93 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$6 | AU$7 | - 16% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$696 | AU$720 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$1.00 | AU$1.00 | ||
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$53 | AU$59 | - 9% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$24 | AU$30 | - 21% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 14% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 89 prices entered by 11 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 20, 2023.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require AU$7,000 in Cairns you would need to make just about AU$6,007 in Townsville.
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