Cost of living comparison

 United States
compared to
Melbourne vs. United States Cost of Living Summary

Melbourne is 12.2% more expensive than United States overall.

Restaurants
pay 1.0% more in Melbourne
Groceries
pay 11.9% less in Melbourne
Transportation
pay 28.4% more in Melbourne
Housing
pay 17.4% less in Melbourne
Childcare
pay 14.5% more in Melbourne
Entertainment and Sports
pay 45.1% more in Melbourne
Clothing
pay 25.4% more in Melbourne

The cost of entertainment and sports, transportation, clothing, childcare, and restaurants in Melbourne are more expensive than in United States. Expenses including housing and groceries are lower in Melbourne.

Melbourne vs. United States Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Melbourne instead of United States, you would:

pay 1.0% more for restaurants

 
United States
Melbourne
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $18.59
 
$16.48
A$25.32
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
$10.47
 
$9.89
A$15.19
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $2.50
 
$2.65
A$4.07

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pay 11.9% less for groceries

 
United States
Melbourne
Bread
1 loaf
$3.49
 
$2.52
A$3.88
Local cheese (8 oz) $6.33
 
$4.55
A$7.00
Milk (1 gallon) $3.91
 
$5.26
A$8.09

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pay 28.4% more for transportation

 
United States
Melbourne
Gasoline (1 gallon) $3.61
 
$4.69
A$7.21
Monthly public transit pass $65.15
 
$118.63
A$182.33
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $31,583.67
 
$29,276.08
A$44,998.80

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pay 17.4% less for housing

 
United States
Melbourne
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
$67.50
 
$52.42
A$80.58
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $1,655.99
 
$1,479.56
A$2,274.16
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $1,423.40
 
$1,242.77
A$1,910.19

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pay 14.5% more for childcare

 
United States
Melbourne
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $1,351.84
 
$1,828.91
A$2,811.12
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $22,265.44
 
$20,887.75
A$32,105.52

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pay 45.1% more for entertainment and sports

 
United States
Melbourne
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $5.78
 
$7.91
A$12.16
Cappuccino in mid-range area $5.04
 
$3.46
A$5.32
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
$9.68
 
$29.66
A$45.58

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pay 25.4% more for clothing

 
United States
Melbourne
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
$50.38
 
$77.15
A$118.59
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
$40.66
 
$49.87
A$76.66
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
$85.52
 
$107.61
A$165.40

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: July 2025
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