Cost Of Living in Australia 2024
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Australia
Whether you're living in Australia or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure6,200 AUD
per month$4,000480 AUD $310
$40,000 62,000 AUD
Single4,300 AUD
per month$2,8001,400 AUD $930
$19,000 29,000 AUD
Couple7,200 AUD
per month$4,6002,400 AUD $1,500
$25,000 38,000 AUD
Family9,500 AUD
per month$6,2003,300 AUD $2,200
$34,000 52,000 AUD
Student3,000 AUD
per month$2,0001,200 AUD $790
$3,500 5,500 AUD
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Australia is 4,300 AUD. Expenses can range from 1,400 AUD at the minimum level to 29,000 AUD at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Australia is 7,200 AUD. Expenditure can range from 2,400 AUD to 38,000 AUD per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Australia is 9,500 AUD per month. Families spend anywhere from 3,300 AUD to 52,000 AUD.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Australia is 3,000 AUD. Students spend from 1,200 AUD to 5,500 AUD per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Australia
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Large bottle of water
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Soda or Soft Drink
Cappuccino or latte Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
Loaf of bread | 0.81 AUD | 0.93 AUD | 1.1 AUD |
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price | 17,000 AUD | 34,000 AUD | 45,000 AUD |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual
Utility Bill - Couple | 120 AUD | 360 AUD | 1,900 AUD |
Utility Bill - Family | 100 AUD | 290 AUD | 1,600 AUD |
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment | 560 AUD | 840 AUD | 2,300 AUD |
1-bedroom apartment | 840 AUD | 1,400 AUD | 3,400 AUD |
2-bedroom apartment | 1,100 AUD | 1,700 AUD | 4,500 AUD |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment | 110,000 AUD | 170,000 AUD | 340,000 AUD |
| $73,000 | $110,000 | $220,000 |
1-bedroom apartment | 140,000 AUD | 230,000 AUD | 840,000 AUD |
| $88,000 | $150,000 | $550,000 |
2-bedroom apartment | 230,000 AUD | 680,000 AUD | 1.4M AUD |
| $150,000 | $440,000 | $880,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed | 680 AUD | 840 AUD | 1,100 AUD |
Double Bed
Single Bed
Living Room | 750 AUD | 960 AUD | 3,400 AUD |
Dining Table
Sofa or Couch | 450 AUD | 610 AUD | 1,400 AUD |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set | 450 AUD | 680 AUD | 1,400 AUD |
Fridge or Freezer
Washing Machine | 520 AUD | 750 AUD | 1,400 AUD |
Stove or Cooker
Mobile Phone
Laptop or Computer | 610 AUD | 750 AUD | 1,400 AUD |
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Australia
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.
Spending to Income Ratio
83%
74% to 92%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 6% |
| 50% - 60% | 12% |
| 60% - 70% | 19% |
| 70% - 80% | 27% |
| 80% - 90% | 15% |
| 90% - 100% | 9% |
| 100% - 110% | 5% |
| 110% - 120% | 3% |
| 120% - 130% | 2% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 1% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Australia is 83%
This means that on average, people spend around 83% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 19% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
75%
Spending-Income-Ratio
67%
83%
Couple
79%
Spending-Income-Ratio
70%
87%
Family
87%
Spending-Income-Ratio
78%
97%
How do people spend their money in Australia?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing Expenditure27%
27% of total expenses on average (16% to 35%)
| LOW | $93 140 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $1,200 1,900 AUD |
| HIGH | $12,000 19,000 AUD |
| Per Month |
People living in Australia typically spend from 16% to 35% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 27% being the average. The average spend on housing is 1,900 AUD with expenditure ranging from 140 AUD to 19,000 AUD. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water6%
6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)
| LOW | $15 24 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $200 310 AUD |
| HIGH | $2,000 3,100 AUD |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Australia ranges from 3% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 310 AUD with 24 AUD and 3,100 AUD being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute9%
9% of total expenses on average (4% to 13%)
| LOW | $31 48 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $400 620 AUD |
| HIGH | $4,000 6,200 AUD |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 48 AUD to 6,200 AUD on commuting with 620 AUD being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 9% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 13%.
Food and Groceries Cost26%
26% of total expenses on average (18% to 32%)
| LOW | $77 120 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $1,000 1,500 AUD |
| HIGH | $10,000 15,000 AUD |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Australia is 1,500 AUD. The cost of groceries can range between 120 AUD to 15,000 AUD. People spend on average about 26% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 32% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services8%
8% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $22 33 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $280 430 AUD |
| HIGH | $2,800 4,300 AUD |
| Per Month |
People in Australia allocate 3% to 11% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 33 AUD to 4,300 AUD with 430 AUD being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping6%
6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)
| LOW | $12 19 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $160 250 AUD |
| HIGH | $1,600 2,500 AUD |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 19 AUD to 2,500 AUD with 250 AUD being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 10% of total expenses with an average of 6% for most residents.
Education and Schooling6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $19 29 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $240 370 AUD |
| HIGH | $2,400 3,700 AUD |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 370 AUD per month with 29 AUD being the minimum spent amount and 3,700 AUD being the maximum.
Other Expenses12%
12% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)
| LOW | $40 62 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $520 810 AUD |
| HIGH | $5,200 8,100 AUD |
| Per Month |
How much money can you save in Australia every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Australia manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 67% of the surveyed people in Australia said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 33% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Australia
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 74% | 26% |
| Couples | 69% | 31% |
| Families | 64% | 36% |
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
200 AUD
$130 | 2,600 AUD
$1,700 | 26,000 AUD
$17,000 |
For most people, 10% to 30% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 18% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 2,600 AUD on average with savings ranging from 200 AUD to 26,000 AUD.
74% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 69% of couples said the same. 64% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Australia?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
590 AUD
$390 | 1,800 AUD
$1,200 | 12,000 AUD
$7,700 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 30% |
| 10% - 20% | 24% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 15% |
| 40% - 50% | 11% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 13% to 32% of their monthly income to savings, with 22% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 1,800 AUD with 590 AUD and 12,000 AUD being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
990 AUD
$640 | 3,000 AUD
$1,900 | 16,000 AUD
$10,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 34% |
| 10% - 20% | 26% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 10% |
| 40% - 50% | 8% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 11% to 31% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 3,000 AUD with 990 AUD and 16,000 AUD being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
1,400 AUD
$900 | 4,000 AUD
$2,600 | 22,000 AUD
$14,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 37% |
| 10% - 20% | 29% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 7% |
| 40% - 50% | 5% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Australia can save anywhere between 10% to 28% of their monthly income, with 17% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 4,000 AUD with 1,400 AUD and 22,000 AUD being the minimum and maximum respectively.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Australia
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Australia?
Around 78% of surveyed residents think that living in Australia is affordable with proper budgeting while 22% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Australia
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options61%
Few low-cost options39%
Based on the survey, 61% of the people living in Australia have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 39% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Australia whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes75%
No25%
Based on the survey, 25% of the people living in Australia said that they don't have an emergency fund while 75% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Australia
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy73%
We asked residents of Australia whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 27% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 73% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether residents of Australia have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 27% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 73% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance27%
Easily manages finances73%
Financial goals of people in Australia
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Australia, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 6% |
| Debt Reduction | 31% |
| Retirement Savings | 7% |
| Education Funding | 9% |
| Homeownership | 16% |
| Investing | 9% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 11% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 8% |
| Financial Independence | 9% |
Around 6% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 31% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 7% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 9% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 16% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 8% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Saving Challenges in Australia
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Australia. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 7% |
| High Expenses | 10% |
| Debt and Loans | 19% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 10% |
| Impulsive Spending | 9% |
| Financial Emergencies | 6% |
| Living the moment | 7% |
| Will do it later | 16% |
| Inflation | 10% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 3% |
Around 7% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 10% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 19% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 16% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 10% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Typical saving choices for people in Australia
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 10% |
| Gold | 9% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 12% |
| Cash Savings | 15% |
| Real Estate | 10% |
| Investment | 6% |
| Stocks | 6% |
| Bonds | 7% |
| Mutual Funds | 3% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Australia
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Australia and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in Australia is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Australia:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 18,000 AUD |
| 30 | 35,000 AUD |
| 35 | 61,000 AUD |
| 40 | 88,000 AUD |
| 45 | 130,000 AUD |
| 50 | 180,000 AUD |
| 55 | 220,000 AUD |
| 60 | 270,000 AUD |
| 65 | 320,000 AUD |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents of Australia about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 14% |
| Savings | 21% |
| Investments | 14% |
| Social Security | 9% |
| Annuities | 9% |
| Part-time Job | 9% |
| Real Estate | 16% |
| Dividends and Interest | 9% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Australia 1,000 AUD
$670 | 3,100 AUD
$2,000 | 21,000 AUD
$13,000 |
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Australia
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 28% of the people in Australia have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 72% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Australia
Debt to income ratio
28%
19% to 37%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 28% of the people's monthly income in Australia goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 10% |
| 40% - 50% | 11% |
| 30% - 40% | 13% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 10% - 20% | 20% |
| 0% - 10% | 28% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Australia pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 10% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 16% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Australia
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 14% |
| Auto Loan | 24% |
| Student Loan | 3% |
| Credit Card | 24% |
| Personal Loan | 35% |
14% of debtors in Australia confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 24% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 24% of people and personal loans rose at 35%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Australia.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Australia
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Australia how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 56% |
| Once a year | 22% |
| Twice a year | 11% |
| Three times a year | 8% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Australia
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Australia
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment | 560 AUD | 840 AUD | 2,300 AUD |
1-bedroom apartment | 840 AUD | 1,400 AUD | 3,400 AUD |
2-bedroom apartment | 1,100 AUD | 1,700 AUD | 4,500 AUD |
3-bedroom apartment | 1,400 AUD | 2,300 AUD | 6,100 AUD |
Furnished apartment | 2,700 AUD | 6,800 AUD | 14,000 AUD |
Townhouse | 2,300 AUD | 3,400 AUD | 9,600 AUD |
House | 2,700 AUD | 6,800 AUD | 14,000 AUD |
Villa | 3,400 AUD | 8,400 AUD | 14,000 AUD |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Australia ranges between 560 AUD and 2,300 AUD, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 840 AUD to 3,400 AUD. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,100 AUD and 4,500 AUD per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,400 AUD to 6,100 AUD. The average rent of a townhouse in Australia is around 3,400 AUD while house rental costs can be as high as 6,800 AUD per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 3,400 AUD to 14,000 AUD per month.
Apartment and house prices in Australia
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment | 110,000 AUD | 170,000 AUD | 340,000 AUD |
| $73,000 | $110,000 | $220,000 |
1-bedroom apartment | 140,000 AUD | 230,000 AUD | 840,000 AUD |
| $88,000 | $150,000 | $550,000 |
2-bedroom apartment | 230,000 AUD | 680,000 AUD | 1.4M AUD |
| $150,000 | $440,000 | $880,000 |
3-bedroom apartment | 750,000 AUD | 1.1M AUD | 3.4M AUD |
Townhouse | 960,000 AUD | 2.3M AUD | 8.4M AUD |
House | 1.1M AUD | 6.8M AUD | 9.6M AUD |
Villa | 1.4M AUD | 7.5M AUD | 11M AUD |
The average price of a studio apartment in Australia can range from 110,000 AUD to 340,000 AUD depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 140,000 AUD to 840,000 AUD. A villa can cost you 7.5M AUD on average with prices ranging from 1.4M AUD to 11M AUD.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Australia will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 42 | x123 monthly income | 214 |
Property prices in Australia can be x123 to x214 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x123 multiples of the average monthly salary in Australia.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Australia is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 42% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
30% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 9.5 AUD | 120 AUD | 1,200 AUD |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Australia
Housing33%
33% of total expenses on average (21% to 45%)
| LOW | $330 510 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $1,000 1,500 AUD |
| HIGH | $6,700 10,000 AUD |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 12%)
| LOW | $56 86 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $170 260 AUD |
| HIGH | $1,100 1,700 AUD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 13%)
| LOW | $74 110 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $220 340 AUD |
| HIGH | $1,500 2,300 AUD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 22%)
| LOW | $150 230 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $450 690 AUD |
| HIGH | $3,000 4,600 AUD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (4% to 14%)
| LOW | $84 130 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $250 390 AUD |
| HIGH | $1,700 2,600 AUD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)
| LOW | $46 72 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $140 210 AUD |
| HIGH | $930 1,400 AUD |
| Per Month |
Education2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)
| LOW | $19 29 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $56 86 AUD |
| HIGH | $370 570 AUD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $170 260 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $500 770 AUD |
| HIGH | $3,300 5,100 AUD |
| Per Month |
CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Australia
Housing30%
30% of total expenses on average (23% to 40%)
| LOW | $510 790 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $1,500 2,400 AUD |
| HIGH | $8,200 13,000 AUD |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $77 120 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $230 360 AUD |
| HIGH | $1,200 1,900 AUD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel11%
11% of total expenses on average (5% to 16%)
| LOW | $190 290 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $560 860 AUD |
| HIGH | $3,000 4,600 AUD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries15%
15% of total expenses on average (10% to 20%)
| LOW | $220 330 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $650 1,000 AUD |
| HIGH | $3,500 5,300 AUD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare12%
12% of total expenses on average (6% to 16%)
| LOW | $170 260 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $510 790 AUD |
| HIGH | $2,700 4,200 AUD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping5%
5% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $93 140 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $280 430 AUD |
| HIGH | $1,500 2,300 AUD |
| Per Month |
Education2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)
| LOW | $31 48 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $93 140 AUD |
| HIGH | $500 760 AUD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $260 410 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $790 1,200 AUD |
| HIGH | $4,200 6,500 AUD |
| Per Month |
FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Australia
Housing29%
29% of total expenses on average (24% to 39%)
| LOW | $690 1,100 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $2,000 3,100 AUD |
| HIGH | $11,000 17,000 AUD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 9%)
| LOW | $170 270 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $500 760 AUD |
| HIGH | $2,700 4,200 AUD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 25%)
| LOW | $390 600 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $1,100 1,700 AUD |
| HIGH | $6,100 9,400 AUD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare9%
9% of total expenses on average (5% to 14%)
| LOW | $170 270 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $500 760 AUD |
| HIGH | $2,700 4,200 AUD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $110 170 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $310 480 AUD |
| HIGH | $1,700 2,600 AUD |
| Per Month |
Education14%
14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)
| LOW | $300 470 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $870 1,300 AUD |
| HIGH | $4,800 7,300 AUD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses14%
14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)
| LOW | $260 400 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $740 1,100 AUD |
| HIGH | $4,100 6,300 AUD |
| Per Month |
StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Australia
Housing21%
21% of total expenses on average (16% to 27%)
| LOW | $190 290 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $470 730 AUD |
| HIGH | $850 1,300 AUD |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $32 49 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $79 120 AUD |
| HIGH | $140 220 AUD |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel6%
6% of total expenses on average (5% to 12%)
| LOW | $55 85 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $140 210 AUD |
| HIGH | $250 380 AUD |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries21%
21% of total expenses on average (15% to 25%)
| LOW | $160 240 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $390 610 AUD |
| HIGH | $710 1,100 AUD |
| Per Month |
Healthcare7%
7% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $47 73 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $120 180 AUD |
| HIGH | $210 330 AUD |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $39 61 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $99 150 AUD |
| HIGH | $180 270 AUD |
| Per Month |
Education19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $150 230 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $370 580 AUD |
| HIGH | $670 1,000 AUD |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $120 180 AUD |
| AVERAGE | $300 460 AUD |
| HIGH | $530 820 AUD |
| Per Month |
