Cost of living in Cairns (Australia) is 12% cheaper than in Canberra (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 164 prices entered by 19 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Cairns (Australia) is about the same as in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Canberra | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$18 | AU$22 | - 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$13 | AU$11 | + 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$5.57 | AU$6 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.43 | AU$1.64 | - 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$7 | AU$6 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$7 | AU$4.67 | + 59% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$8 | AU$9 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.40 | AU$5.38 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.51 | AU$3.60 | - 2% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$5.22 | AU$5.60 | - 7% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$21 | AU$17 | + 26% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.51 | AU$3.04 | + 15% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.58 | AU$4.01 | - 36% | |
| Housing | - 16% | |||
| Housing in Cairns (Australia) is 16% cheaper than in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Canberra | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$2,541 | AU$2,871 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$1,571 | AU$2,360 | - 33% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$208 | AU$288 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$1,462 | AU$1,917 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,139 | AU$1,640 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$180 | AU$179 | + 1% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$63 | AU$53 | + 20% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$725 | AU$470 | + 54% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$215 | AU$261 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$11 | AU$11 | + 2% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$30 | AU$35 | - 13% | |
| Clothes | - 39% | |||
| Clothes in Cairns (Australia) is 39% cheaper than in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Canberra | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$93 | AU$99 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$52 | AU$109 | - 52% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$128 | AU$157 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$111 | AU$126 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | - 14% | |||
| Transportation in Cairns (Australia) is 14% cheaper than in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Canberra | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$27,952 | AU$26,898 | + 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.66 | AU$1.96 | - 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$108 | AU$132 | - 18% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$27 | AU$24 | + 16% | |
| Personal Care | - 12% | |||
| Personal Care in Cairns (Australia) is 12% cheaper than in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Canberra | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$8 | AU$9 | - 5% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$18 | AU$22 | - 16% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$70 | AU$85 | - 19% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$8 | AU$7 | + 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$4.95 | AU$4.76 | + 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.53 | AU$8 | - 31% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$2.66 | AU$3.65 | - 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.81 | AU$3.15 | + 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$27 | AU$27 | + 2% | |
| Entertainment | - 2% | |||
| Entertainment in Cairns (Australia) is about the same as in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Cairns | Canberra | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$65 | AU$74 | - 12% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$36 | AU$34 | + 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$114 | AU$215 | - 47% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$114 | AU$102 | + 12% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$16 | AU$17 | - 2% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$4.93 | AU$4.81 | + 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$7 | AU$9 | - 21% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$720 | AU$738 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$1.00 | AU$0.87 | + 15% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$59 | AU$67 | - 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$30 | AU$39 | - 23% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 12% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 164 prices entered by 19 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 29, 2023.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require AU$8,000 in Canberra you would need to make just about AU$7,064 in Cairns.
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