Cost of living in Melbourne (Australia) is about the same as in Sydney (Australia)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,077 prices entered by 129 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Melbourne (Australia) is 11% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$24 | AU$24 | - 0% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$16 | AU$15 | + 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$9 | AU$6 | + 43% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$2.05 | AU$2.02 | + 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$8 | AU$8 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$7 | AU$4.98 | + 48% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$11 | AU$11 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$5.22 | AU$4.89 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.69 | AU$3.74 | - 1% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$8 | AU$6 | + 27% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$19 | AU$25 | - 23% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$4.30 | AU$3.82 | + 13% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.79 | AU$2.23 | + 25% | |
| Housing | - 9% | |||
| Housing in Melbourne (Australia) is 9% cheaper than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$4,020 | AU$4,628 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$2,686 | AU$3,185 | - 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$249 | AU$203 | + 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$2,158 | AU$3,061 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,918 | AU$1,959 | - 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$200 | AU$153 | + 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$73 | AU$61 | + 20% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$761 | AU$654 | + 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$243 | AU$296 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$14 | AU$19 | - 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$42 | AU$34 | + 23% | |
| Clothes | + 16% | |||
| Clothes in Melbourne (Australia) is 16% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$118 | AU$128 | - 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$132 | AU$101 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$173 | AU$153 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$235 | AU$192 | + 23% | |
| Transportation | - 7% | |||
| Transportation in Melbourne (Australia) is 7% cheaper than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$38,788 | AU$40,486 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.88 | AU$1.94 | - 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$170 | AU$183 | - 7% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$28 | AU$34 | - 15% | |
| Personal Care | + 8% | |||
| Personal Care in Melbourne (Australia) is 8% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$9 | AU$9 | - 2% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$17 | AU$15 | + 13% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$81 | AU$93 | - 12% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$7 | AU$8 | - 3% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$6 | AU$4.52 | + 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$9 | AU$8 | + 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$4.99 | AU$4.13 | + 21% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$3.90 | AU$4.21 | - 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$41 | AU$38 | + 8% | |
| Entertainment | + 3% | |||
| Entertainment in Melbourne (Australia) is about the same as in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Melbourne | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$79 | AU$82 | - 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$44 | AU$52 | - 14% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$383 | AU$262 | + 46% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$119 | AU$194 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$24 | AU$20 | + 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.48 | AU$5.20 | + 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$14 | AU$11 | + 18% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$1,006 | AU$805 | + 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.38 | AU$0.26 | + 45% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$92 | AU$89 | + 4% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$54 | AU$46 | + 17% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 2% | ||
These prices were last updated on April 21, 2025.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,077 prices entered by 129 different people.
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