✦ Cost of living
Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia
US = 100
In plain terms: Melbourne is about 18% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,800/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing138+38%
- Food & groceries112+12%
- Transport100−0%
- Utilities108+8%
- Healthcare95−5%
- Goods & services116+16%
About
“Cultural Capital”
Coffee, laneways and a famously liveable city — cheaper than Sydney, with famously changeable weather.
- Currency
- Australian dollar · AUD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- -37.81, 144.96
- Emergency
- 000
What things cost
Taxes
45%
Income tax
progressive
10%
VAT / sales
30%
Corporate
$3,900
Avg net salary
per month
Plus 2% Medicare levy.
Visas & residency
Points-tested skilled migration; employer-sponsored visas.
✈ ETA/eVisitor for short visits from many countries.
Citizenship after ~4 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
68/100
Healthcare
85/100
Pollution
30/100
Internet
90 Mbps
Jan avg
+20 °C
Jul avg
+10 °C
Sunny days
180/yr
Walkability
78/100
Relocation & documents
Coming soonWhere to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · National tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Melbourne, AU?
Melbourne, AU's cost-of-living index is 118 (US average = 100) — about 18% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,800 per month.
What is the average rent in Melbourne, AU?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,800 per month, and around $1,350 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Australia?
Australia has a top income-tax rate of 45% and a VAT or sales tax of 10%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Melbourne, AU?
Melbourne, AU averages around +20 °C in January and +10 °C in July, with roughly 180 sunny days a year.
❖ Compare Melbourne with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.