Cost of living in Melbourne (Australia) is 116% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,137 prices entered by 159 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 102% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Melbourne (Australia) is 102% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$24 (R 290) | R 166 | + 75% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$14 (R 173) | R 86 | + 101% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$7 (R 87) | R 49 | + 77% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$2.08 (R 25) | R 20 | + 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$7 (R 79) | R 55 | + 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$7 (R 89) | R 25 | + 253% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$9 (R 113) | R 81 | + 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.99 (R 60) | R 28 | + 116% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.79 (R 46) | R 27 | + 68% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$6 (R 77) | R 23 | + 233% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$20 (R 238) | R 91 | + 162% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$4.12 (R 50) | R 25 | + 100% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$3.28 (R 40) | R 18 | + 125% | |
| Housing | + 126% | |||
| Housing in Melbourne (Australia) is 126% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$3,862 (R 46,787) | R 22,683 | + 106% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$2,620 (R 31,747) | R 13,016 | + 144% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$254 (R 3,074) | R 1,576 | + 95% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$2,308 (R 27,965) | R 12,490 | + 124% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,819 (R 22,041) | R 8,192 | + 169% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$193 (R 2,335) | R 714 | + 227% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$80 (R 965) | R 494 | + 95% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$540 (R 6,542) | R 5,388 | + 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$214 (R 2,599) | R 1,974 | + 32% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$14 (R 169) | R 115 | + 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$35 (R 426) | R 63 | + 576% | |
| Clothes | + 41% | |||
| Clothes in Melbourne (Australia) is 41% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$132 (R 1,595) | R 911 | + 75% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$87 (R 1,051) | R 821 | + 28% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$180 (R 2,179) | R 1,793 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$199 (R 2,405) | R 1,356 | + 77% | |
| Transportation | + 144% | |||
| Transportation in Melbourne (Australia) is 144% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$35,860 (R 434,473) | R 399,668 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$2.03 (R 25) | R 23 | + 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$166 (R 2,011) | R 543 | + 270% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$32 (R 387) | R 152 | + 155% | |
| Personal Care | + 34% | |||
| Personal Care in Melbourne (Australia) is 34% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$11 (R 131) | R 80 | + 64% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$10 (R 127) | R 261 | - 51% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$83 (R 1,010) | R 604 | + 67% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$7 (R 90) | R 51 | + 76% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$5.67 (R 69) | R 31 | + 121% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.34 (R 65) | R 59 | + 10% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$5.05 (R 61) | R 43 | + 42% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.36 (R 41) | R 26 | + 56% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$33 (R 401) | R 222 | + 80% | |
| Entertainment | + 131% | |||
| Entertainment in Melbourne (Australia) is 131% more expensive than in Cape Town (South Africa) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Cape Town | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$57 (R 689) | R 379 | + 82% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$44 (R 532) | R 227 | + 134% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$358 (R 4,341) | R 941 | + 361% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$125 (R 1,518) | R 644 | + 136% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$21 (R 259) | R 106 | + 145% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.31 (R 64) | R 39 | + 67% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$12 (R 140) | R 39 | + 255% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$832 (R 10,079) | R 9,964 | + 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.37 (R 4.51) | R 1.58 | + 185% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$84 (R 1,016) | R 655 | + 55% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$40 (R 489) | R 55 | + 790% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 116% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,137 prices entered by 159 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
12.116
ZAR
/
AUD
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For example, you would need at least R 147,141 (AU$12,144) in Melbourne to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with R 68,000 in Cape Town.
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