Cost of living comparison
California is 23.0% more expensive than Australia overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 12.3% more in California
- Groceries
-
pay 30.3% more in California
- Transportation
-
pay 1.0% less in California
- Housing
-
pay 65.7% more in California
- Childcare
-
pay 62.0% more in California
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 6.0% more in California
- Clothing
-
pay 14.2% less in California
The cost of housing, childcare, groceries, restaurants, and entertainment and sports in California are more expensive than in Australia. Expenses including clothing and transportation are lower in California.
If you lived in California instead of Australia, you would:
pay 12.3% more for restaurants
|
Australia
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$16.76
A$25.79
|
$21.02
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.73
A$14.98
|
$11.52
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.56
A$3.95
|
$2.71
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.16
A$3.33
|
$2.16
|
|
pay 30.3% more for groceries
|
Australia
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.37
A$3.65
|
$4.14
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$4.36
A$6.72
|
$6.95
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$5.80
A$8.93
|
$4.61
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.07
A$6.27
|
$4.33
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$3.94
A$6.07
|
$5.70
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.45
A$2.23
|
$2.34
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.26
A$1.93
|
$0.92
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.35
A$2.08
|
$1.91
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.01
A$3.10
|
$2.38
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.12
A$1.72
|
$1.39
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.96
A$1.48
|
$1.44
|
|
pay 1.0% less for transportation
|
Australia
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.65
A$7.16
|
$4.83
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$83.03
A$127.82
|
$62.05
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$27,742.09
A$42,706.43
|
$30,005.28
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$18.38
A$28.29
|
$20.07
|
|
pay 65.7% more for housing
|
Australia
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$55.59
A$85.58
|
$68.54
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,182.30
A$1,820.05
|
$2,371.29
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$957.92
A$1,474.64
|
$2,055.18
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$138.16
A$212.69
|
$171.68
|
|
pay 62.0% more for childcare
|
Australia
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,485.91
A$2,287.43
|
$1,682.51
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$14,667.78
A$22,579.72
|
$30,905.75
|
|
pay 6.0% more for entertainment and sports
|
Australia
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$6.64
A$10.23
|
$7.00
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.55
A$5.46
|
$5.34
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$28.07
A$43.22
|
$10.91
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$52.89
A$81.42
|
$66.35
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$13.13
A$20.21
|
$14.41
|
|
pay 14.2% less for clothing
|
Australia
|
California
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$71.78
A$110.49
|
$52.77
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$50.24
A$77.34
|
$40.15
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$100.30
A$154.40
|
$85.15
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$111.73
A$172.00
|
$117.31
|
|
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