Cost of living in Perth (Australia) is 7% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia)
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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 888 prices entered by 141 different people.
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| Food | - 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Perth (Australia) is about the same as in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Perth | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$22 | AU$24 | - 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$15 | AU$14 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$8 | AU$7 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.90 | AU$2.05 | - 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$7 | AU$7 | - 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$6 | AU$7 | - 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$10 | AU$10 | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$5.70 | AU$5.01 | + 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.34 | AU$3.79 | - 12% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$7 | AU$7 | + 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$25 | AU$20 | + 24% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.74 | AU$4.26 | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.05 | AU$3.46 | - 41% | |
| Housing | - 11% | |||
| Housing in Perth (Australia) is 11% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Perth | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$3,524 | AU$3,862 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$2,057 | AU$2,620 | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$273 | AU$233 | + 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$2,294 | AU$2,308 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,395 | AU$1,819 | - 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$163 | AU$193 | - 15% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$60 | AU$80 | - 25% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$619 | AU$540 | + 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$215 | AU$214 | + 0% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$11 | AU$14 | - 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$32 | AU$35 | - 8% | |
| Clothes | + 0% | |||
| Clothes in Perth (Australia) is about the same as in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Perth | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$106 | AU$132 | - 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$95 | AU$87 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$180 | AU$180 | + 0% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$190 | AU$199 | - 5% | |
| Transportation | - 8% | |||
| Transportation in Perth (Australia) is 8% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Perth | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$34,982 | AU$35,860 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.88 | AU$2.03 | - 8% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$152 | AU$166 | - 8% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$23 | AU$32 | - 27% | |
| Personal Care | - 5% | |||
| Personal Care in Perth (Australia) is 5% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Perth | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$6 | AU$11 | - 41% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$19 | AU$10 | + 83% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$77 | AU$83 | - 7% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$8 | AU$7 | + 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$4.69 | AU$5.67 | - 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$5.96 | AU$5.34 | + 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$3.90 | AU$5.05 | - 23% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.59 | AU$3.36 | + 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$26 | AU$33 | - 20% | |
| Entertainment | - 4% | |||
| Entertainment in Perth (Australia) is 4% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Perth | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$66 | AU$57 | + 16% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$38 | AU$44 | - 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$277 | AU$358 | - 23% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$126 | AU$125 | + 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$19 | AU$21 | - 10% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.39 | AU$5.31 | + 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$11 | AU$12 | - 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$687 | AU$832 | - 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.38 | AU$0.37 | + 2% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$66 | AU$84 | - 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$41 | AU$40 | + 1% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 7% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 888 prices entered by 141 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 21, 2023.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require AU$12,000 in Melbourne you would need to make just about AU$11,133 in Perth.
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