Cost of Living & Quality of Life in Australia (2026)
What everyday life costs in Australia — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Oceania.
- Quality of Life Index
- 163.8
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 52.9
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 69.8
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $1,518/mo
- 2023
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $16.68
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $3,529
- 2023
Quality of life trends in Australia
Typical living costs in Australia
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $1,518/mo | 2023 | -4.1% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $1,204/mo | 2023 | -2.5% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $2,496/mo | 2023 | -7.2% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $209/mo | 2023 | +5.3% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $55.62/mo | 2023 | -5.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $26.84/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $16.68 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $80.05 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $3.51 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $120 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $1.24 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $52.01/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $800/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $3,529 | 2023 | -13.5% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 163.8 | 2024 | -10.5% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 52.9 | 2024 | -2.9% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 69.8 | 2024 | -7.3% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 29.4 | 2024 | +15.7% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 93.8 | 2024 | -0.1% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 163.8 | 52.9 | 69.8 | 29.4 | 93.8 |
| 2023 | 183 | 54.5 | 75.3 | 25.4 | 93.9 |
| 2022 | 183.8 | 56.2 | 78.1 | 23.9 | 92.7 |
| 2021 | 181.5 | 57.6 | 77.7 | 23.5 | 92.7 |
| 2020 | 186.2 | 58.6 | 77.4 | 23.5 | 92.7 |
| 2019 | 191.1 | 57.2 | 76.4 | 24 | 93.8 |
| 2018 | 188.7 | 57.5 | 76.2 | 24.8 | 92.4 |
| 2017 | 176.5 | 57.6 | 74.2 | 24.6 | 72.8 |
Australia compared with Oceania
| Country | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Meal, inexpensive restaurant | Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 163.8 | 52.9 | 69.8 | $16.68 | $1,518/mo |
| New Zealand | 168.4 | 52.3 | 67.7 | $14.73 | $1,154/mo |
Related
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.