Cost of living in Melbourne (Australia) is 18% more expensive than in Canberra (Australia)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Canberra or in Melbourne? You can help!
Improve the prices for Canberra! Improve the prices for Melbourne!
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 854 prices entered by 118 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 14% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Melbourne (Australia) is 14% more expensive than in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Canberra | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$24 | AU$22 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$14 | AU$13 | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$7 | AU$8 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$2.05 | AU$1.42 | + 44% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$7 | AU$8 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$7 | AU$4.27 | + 69% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$10 | AU$8 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$5.01 | AU$4.61 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.79 | AU$2.94 | + 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$7 | AU$5.29 | + 24% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$20 | AU$19 | + 5% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$4.26 | AU$2.74 | + 55% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$3.46 | AU$3.18 | + 9% | |
| Housing | + 18% | |||
| Housing in Melbourne (Australia) is 18% more expensive than in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Canberra | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$3,862 | AU$3,023 | + 28% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$2,620 | AU$2,160 | + 21% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$233 | AU$290 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$2,308 | AU$2,216 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,819 | AU$1,640 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$193 | AU$158 | + 22% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$80 | AU$46 | + 73% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$540 | AU$448 | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$214 | AU$263 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$14 | AU$14 | - 2% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$35 | AU$34 | + 2% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in Melbourne (Australia) is 7% more expensive than in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Canberra | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$132 | AU$103 | + 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$87 | AU$94 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$180 | AU$158 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$199 | AU$127 | + 56% | |
| Transportation | + 41% | |||
| Transportation in Melbourne (Australia) is 41% more expensive than in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Canberra | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$35,860 | AU$29,334 | + 22% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$2.03 | AU$1.90 | + 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$166 | AU$109 | + 52% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$32 | AU$23 | + 41% | |
| Personal Care | + 9% | |||
| Personal Care in Melbourne (Australia) is 9% more expensive than in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Canberra | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$11 | AU$6 | + 76% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$10 | AU$20 | - 48% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$83 | AU$77 | + 8% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$7 | AU$7 | + 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$5.67 | AU$4.31 | + 31% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.34 | AU$7 | - 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$5.05 | AU$2.99 | + 69% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.36 | AU$2.99 | + 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$33 | AU$26 | + 26% | |
| Entertainment | - 8% | |||
| Entertainment in Melbourne (Australia) is 8% cheaper than in Canberra (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Canberra | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$57 | AU$70 | - 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$44 | AU$34 | + 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$358 | AU$175 | + 105% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$125 | AU$102 | + 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$21 | AU$17 | + 29% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.31 | AU$4.40 | + 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$12 | AU$9 | + 30% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$832 | AU$738 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.37 | AU$0.90 | - 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$84 | AU$66 | + 27% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$40 | AU$38 | + 7% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 18% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 854 prices entered by 118 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 26, 2023.
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in New York City is 20% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Singapore is 55% more expensive than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Abu Dhabi is 9% cheaper than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Tel Aviv is 31% more expensive than in Rome
- Cost of living in Budapest is 28% cheaper than in Lisbon
- Cost of living in Hong Kong is 247% more expensive than in Delhi
- Cost of living in Toronto is 26% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Oporto is 14% cheaper than in Lisbon
- Cost of living in Singapore is 10% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Manchester is 29% cheaper than in London
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least AU$10,591 in Melbourne to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with AU$9,000 in Canberra.
Do you live in Canberra? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Brisbane (Australia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Singapore
- Cost of Living, Prices in Wollongong (Australia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Newcastle, Australia (Australia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Sydney (Australia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Wellington (New Zealand)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Raleigh, North Carolina costs $40 (29 minutes ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Rome costs €2,000 (about 1 hour ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Santo Domingo costs RD$ 600 (about 3 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Islamabad costs ₨300 (about 3 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Chipata costs 40 Kwacha (about 3 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Kursk costs руб 20,000 (about 3 hours ago)