Cost of living comparison
United States is 5.7% more expensive than Australia overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 1.6% more in United States
- Groceries
-
pay 19.9% more in United States
- Transportation
-
pay 8.3% less in United States
- Housing
-
pay 29.4% more in United States
- Childcare
-
pay 21.4% more in United States
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 7.8% less in United States
- Clothing
-
pay 16.1% less in United States
The cost of housing, childcare, groceries, and restaurants in United States are more expensive than in Australia. Expenses including clothing, transportation, and entertainment and sports are lower in United States.
If you lived in United States instead of Australia, you would:
pay 1.6% more for restaurants
|
Australia
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$16.76
A$27.73
|
$18.59
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.73
A$16.11
|
$10.47
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.56
A$4.24
|
$2.50
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.16
A$3.58
|
$1.96
|
|
pay 19.9% more for groceries
|
Australia
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.37
A$3.92
|
$3.49
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$4.36
A$7.22
|
$6.33
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$5.80
A$9.59
|
$3.91
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.07
A$6.74
|
$3.56
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$3.94
A$6.52
|
$5.16
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.45
A$2.40
|
$2.33
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.26
A$2.08
|
$0.78
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.35
A$2.23
|
$2.00
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.01
A$3.33
|
$2.16
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.12
A$1.85
|
$1.34
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.96
A$1.59
|
$1.38
|
|
pay 8.3% less for transportation
|
Australia
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.65
A$7.70
|
$3.61
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$83.03
A$137.40
|
$65.15
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$27,742.09
A$45,907.81
|
$31,583.67
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$18.38
A$30.42
|
$17.81
|
|
pay 29.4% more for housing
|
Australia
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$55.59
A$92.00
|
$67.50
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,182.30
A$1,956.49
|
$1,655.99
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$957.92
A$1,585.18
|
$1,423.40
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$138.16
A$228.63
|
$148.34
|
|
pay 21.4% more for childcare
|
Australia
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,485.91
A$2,458.90
|
$1,351.84
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$14,667.78
A$24,272.35
|
$22,265.44
|
|
pay 7.8% less for entertainment and sports
|
Australia
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$6.64
A$10.99
|
$5.78
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.55
A$5.87
|
$5.04
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$28.07
A$46.46
|
$9.68
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$52.89
A$87.52
|
$50.84
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$13.13
A$21.73
|
$13.30
|
|
pay 16.1% less for clothing
|
Australia
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$71.78
A$118.77
|
$50.38
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$50.24
A$83.14
|
$40.66
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$100.30
A$165.97
|
$85.52
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$111.73
A$184.89
|
$111.08
|
|
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