Cost of living comparison
Canberra is 10.2% more expensive than Melbourne.
- Restaurants
-
pay 9.0% more in Canberra
- Groceries
-
pay 19.1% more in Canberra
- Transportation
-
pay 0.5% less in Canberra
- Housing
-
pay 30.3% more in Canberra
- Childcare
-
pay 14.8% less in Canberra
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 1.9% more in Canberra
- Clothing
-
pay 26.7% more in Canberra
The cost of housing, clothing, groceries, restaurants, and entertainment and sports in Canberra are more expensive than in Melbourne. Expenses including childcare and transportation are lower in Canberra.
If you lived in Canberra instead of Melbourne, you would:
pay 9.0% more for restaurants
|
Melbourne
|
Canberra
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$16.48
A$25.37
|
$19.77
A$30.44
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.89
A$15.22
|
$9.89
A$15.22
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.65
A$4.08
|
$2.76
A$4.26
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.26
A$3.48
|
$2.32
A$3.57
|
|
pay 19.1% more for groceries
|
Melbourne
|
Canberra
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.52
A$3.89
|
$2.59
A$3.98
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$4.55
A$7.01
|
$5.39
A$8.30
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$5.26
A$8.11
|
$6.59
A$10.15
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.09
A$6.29
|
$4.63
A$7.13
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$4.02
A$6.19
|
$4.12
A$6.34
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.42
A$2.19
|
$1.62
A$2.49
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.21
A$1.87
|
$1.34
A$2.07
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.19
A$1.83
|
$1.57
A$2.41
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.63
A$2.51
|
$2.46
A$3.80
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.01
A$1.55
|
$1.25
A$1.92
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.95
A$1.47
|
$1.11
A$1.71
|
|
pay 0.5% less for transportation
|
Melbourne
|
Canberra
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.69
A$7.22
|
$5.07
A$7.81
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$118.63
A$182.67
|
$118.63
A$182.67
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$29,276.08
A$45,081.74
|
$29,276.08
A$45,081.74
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$19.44
A$29.94
|
$17.66
A$27.20
|
|
pay 30.3% more for housing
|
Melbourne
|
Canberra
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$52.42
A$80.73
|
$65.39
A$100.69
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,479.56
A$2,278.35
|
$1,783.31
A$2,746.08
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,242.77
A$1,913.71
|
$1,413.05
A$2,175.93
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$112.74
A$173.60
|
$183.02
A$281.83
|
|
pay 14.8% less for childcare
|
Melbourne
|
Canberra
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,828.91
A$2,816.30
|
$1,847.17
A$2,844.42
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$20,887.75
A$32,164.70
|
$14,503.36
A$22,333.48
|
|
pay 1.9% more for entertainment and sports
|
Melbourne
|
Canberra
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$7.91
A$12.18
|
$7.25
A$11.16
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.46
A$5.33
|
$3.68
A$5.67
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$29.66
A$45.67
|
$26.36
A$40.59
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$52.73
A$81.20
|
$65.69
A$101.15
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.66
A$22.58
|
$14.33
A$22.07
|
|
pay 26.7% more for clothing
|
Melbourne
|
Canberra
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$77.15
A$118.80
|
$86.77
A$133.62
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$49.87
A$76.80
|
$72.18
A$111.15
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$107.61
A$165.71
|
$119.51
A$184.04
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$111.32
A$171.42
|
$154.17
A$237.41
|
|
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