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Cost of living in Melbourne
Rent, everyday prices and the gross salary you may need to cover living costs in Melbourne.
One person, a month
AUD 1,821
Living costs excluding rent
Family of four, a month
AUD 6,378
Living costs excluding rent
One-bedroom rent, centre
AUD 2,501
A month
Gross salary, one person
AUD 52,000
to cover living costs in Melbourne
Melbourne's cost of living at a glance
Melbourne is among the more expensive cities in both Australia and Oceania. The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Melbourne are AUD 1,821, excluding rent. Living costs for a family of four are AUD 6,378 a month, excluding rent.
A single person in Melbourne may need a gross salary of at least AUD 52,000 a year to cover estimated living costs, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.
One person's monthly costs
Numbeo household estimate in AUD, with the rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre
Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.
How Melbourne compares
One person's monthly costs in Melbourne, excluding rent, are 7.4% higher than in the typical city in Australia and 42.0% higher than in the typical city worldwide.
Where Melbourne ranks
In Australia
9th of 21
One person's monthly costs including rent, most expensive first.
In Oceania
10th of 32
Cities in Oceania with a Numbeo estimate, most expensive first.
Worldwide
89th percentile
Costs the same as or more than 89% of 1,942 cities: a relatively expensive city.
One-bedroom rent, centre
8th of 21
Cities in Australia, most expensive first.
Monthly costs against the typical city
- Melbourne
- Typical national city
- Typical city worldwide
Tap a line or a table row to read its three amounts.
| Monthly cost | Melbourne | Typical national city | Typical city worldwide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | AUD 2,501 | AUD 2,198 +13.8% | AUD 1,056 +136.7% |
| Groceries | AUD 540 | AUD 506 +6.8% | AUD 400 +35.1% |
| Eating out | AUD 315 | AUD 315 0.0% | AUD 225 +39.9% |
| Transport | AUD 202 | AUD 114 +77.2% | AUD 56.91 +255.7% |
| Utilities | AUD 343 | AUD 318 +7.9% | AUD 248 +38.0% |
| Leisure | AUD 106 | AUD 106 0.0% | AUD 88.17 +20.4% |
| Total excluding rent | AUD 1,821 | AUD 1,696 +7.4% | AUD 1,283 +42.0% |
| Total including rent | AUD 4,322 | AUD 4,093 +5.6% | AUD 2,380 +81.6% |
Typical = the median of 21 cities in Australia and 1,942 cities worldwide.
Find another city
Search 897 cities in 21 countries.
Explore prices in Melbourne
The average price for each item, and the range from the lowest to the highest price people have reported.
Renting in Melbourne
Melbourne is the 8th most expensive city in Australia for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. The closest-priced city in Australia is Adelaide.
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs AUD 2,501 a month.
Outside the centre, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs AUD 1,889 a month.
A one-bedroom apartment in the centre is around 32% more expensive to rent than one outside the centre.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment in the city centre Monthly rent | AUD 2,501 | AUD 2,147– |
| 1-bed apartment outside the centre Monthly rent | AUD 1,889 | AUD 1,422– |
| 3-bed apartment in the city centre Monthly rent | AUD 4,847 | AUD 4,089– |
| 3-bed apartment outside the centre Monthly rent | AUD 3,461 | AUD 2,658– |
| Price per m² in the city centre | AUD 10,789 | AUD 9,711– |
| Price per m² outside the centre | AUD 9,302 | AUD 7,156– |
Cost of everyday items in Melbourne
Groceries in Melbourne are around 7% more expensive than the average for Australia, while eating out is around 4% cheaper than the country average.
A litre of milk typically costs AUD 2.66.
A 500g loaf of fresh white bread typically costs AUD 4.48.
A pack of 20 cigarettes typically costs AUD 54.18.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Milk, 1 litre | AUD 2.66 | AUD 1.64– |
| Fresh white bread, 500g | AUD 4.48 | AUD 2.86– |
| Eggs, 12 large | AUD 8.68 | AUD 5.11– |
| Local cheese, 1kg | AUD 15.99 | AUD 9.21– |
| Chicken fillets, 1kg | AUD 13.90 | AUD 8.18– |
| Beef round, 1kg | AUD 22.42 | AUD 12.26– |
| Apples, 1kg | AUD 5.95 | AUD 4.08– |
| Oranges, 1kg | AUD 4.65 | AUD 2.70– |
| Potatoes, 1kg | AUD 4.57 | AUD 3.07– |
| Lettuce, 1 head | AUD 3.57 | AUD 2.96– |
| White rice, 1kg | AUD 3.56 | AUD 2.05– |
| Tomatoes, 1kg | AUD 6.86 | AUD 3.78– |
| Bananas, 1kg | AUD 4.62 | AUD 4.08– |
| Onions, 1kg | AUD 4.00 | AUD 2.56– |
| Water, 1.5 litre bottle | AUD 2.65 | AUD 0.85– |
| Mid-range bottle of wine | AUD 20.45 | AUD 15.34– |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre bottle | AUD 7.71 | AUD 5.11– |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | AUD 7.71 | AUD 4.08– |
| Cigarettes, 20 pack | AUD 54.18 | AUD 46.00– |
Eating out in Melbourne
A 0.5-litre draught beer typically costs AUD 13.29, making Melbourne one of the most expensive places in Australia to buy a beer.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | AUD 25.55 | AUD 15.34– |
| Three-course meal for two | AUD 123 | AUD 92.00– |
| Fast food combo meal | AUD 16.36 | AUD 15.34– |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 litre draught | AUD 13.29 | AUD 8.18– |
| Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottle | AUD 11.24 | AUD 8.66– |
| Soft drink, 0.33 litre bottle | AUD 4.44 | AUD 3.07– |
| Water, 0.33 litre bottle | AUD 3.60 | AUD 2.56– |
| Cappuccino | AUD 5.68 | AUD 4.08– |
Transport in Melbourne
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| One-way public transport ticket | AUD 5.62 | AUD 5.11– |
| Monthly public transport pass | AUD 202 | AUD 129– |
| Gasoline, 1 litre | AUD 1.98 | AUD 1.66– |
| Taxi start | AUD 5.62 | AUD 5.11– |
| Taxi, per km | AUD 2.05 | AUD 1.92– |
| Taxi waiting, 1 hour | AUD 44.29 | AUD 42.57– |
| Volkswagen Golf, new | AUD 41,913 | AUD 40,890– |
| Toyota Corolla sedan, new | AUD 37,409 | AUD 35,779– |
Utilities in Melbourne
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment Monthly | AUD 334 | AUD 232– |
| Broadband internet Monthly | AUD 79.39 | AUD 61.34– |
| Mobile phone plan Monthly | AUD 42.23 | AUD 20.45– |
How is Melbourne for families?
A family of four with two adults and two children may need a gross household income of AUD 147,000 a year in Melbourne, excluding childcare costs.
Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs AUD 3,341 a month.
A three-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs AUD 4,847 a month.
Melbourne scores 56/100 on Numbeo's safety index.
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Family of four, excluding rent Monthly, Numbeo household estimate | AUD 6,378 | Not applicable |
| Family of four, including rent Monthly, Numbeo household estimate | AUD 11,226 | Not applicable |
| Private preschool or kindergarten Monthly | AUD 3,341 | AUD 2,862– |
| International primary school Annual | AUD 45,232 | AUD 33,782– |
Leisure and clothing in Melbourne
| Item | Average price | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Gym membership Monthly | AUD 75.58 | AUD 20.45– |
| Tennis court rental, 1 hour | AUD 30.59 | AUD 20.45– |
| Cinema ticket | AUD 22.49 | AUD 20.45– |
| Jeans | AUD 111 | AUD 61.34– |
| Summer dress from a chain store | AUD 75.75 | AUD 40.89– |
| Nike running shoes | AUD 178 | AUD 123– |
| Men's leather business shoes | AUD 191 | AUD 102– |
Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.
What salary do I need to live in Melbourne?
By combining Numbeo's living-cost estimates with the tax rates in Australia, we can estimate the gross salary you would need to live in Melbourne. Use the calculator below to see how much you would need to live in Melbourne, and where your money goes.
Recommended gross salary
AUD 51,934
Needed to support 1 adult and no children in Melbourne, living in a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre.
- Take-home pay
- AUD 44,527
- Living costs
- AUD 44,527
- Tax and contributions
- AUD 7,407
Where your salary goes
- Living costsAUD 44,52785.7%
- Income tax and contributionsAUD 7,40714.3%
| Operator | Item | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | AUD 51,934 | |
| − | Income tax and contributions | AUD 7,407 |
| = | Take-home pay | AUD 44,527 |
| − | Rent | AUD 22,671 |
| − | Groceries | AUD 6,479 |
| − | Eating out | AUD 3,778 |
| − | Transport | AUD 2,429 |
| − | Utilities | AUD 4,114 |
| − | Leisure | AUD 1,274 |
| − | Other estimated costs | AUD 3,782 |
| = | Left over: savings target | AUD 0 |
AUD 51,934 gross salary modelled as one employment income gives a 14.3% effective tax rate and AUD 7,407 estimated deductions a year. Use our salary tax calculator for a more detailed estimate.
What the estimate includes
- Rent for your housing choice and Numbeo's household living costs for your household size
- National income tax for 2025/26
- Employee social contributions, simplified
What it doesn't include
- Regional, state or local income tax
- Joint filing, partner income and household allowances
- Age, pension, expat-regime or special-residency rules
- Bonuses, benefits and other income
- Child care or school unless you choose it
Don't agree with our estimates? Help us improve our cost-of-living model.
How each cost is worked out
Rent. The selected one-bedroom apartment outside the centre in Melbourne costs an estimated AUD 1,889 per month. AUD 1,889 per month × 12 months = AUD 22,671 a year.
Groceries. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Melbourne spends an estimated AUD 540 on groceries per month. AUD 540 per month × 12 months = AUD 6,479 a year.
Eating out. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Melbourne spends an estimated AUD 315 on eating out per month. AUD 315 per month × 12 months = AUD 3,778 a year.
Transport. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Melbourne spends an estimated AUD 202 on transport per month. AUD 202 per month × 12 months = AUD 2,429 a year.
Utilities. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Melbourne spends an estimated AUD 343 on utilities per month. AUD 343 per month × 12 months = AUD 4,114 a year.
Leisure. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Melbourne spends an estimated AUD 106 on leisure per month. AUD 106 per month × 12 months = AUD 1,274 a year.
Other estimated costs. Numbeo's household estimate for miscellaneous costs: this may include things like clothing, shoes and entertainment costs. AUD 315 per month × 12 months = AUD 3,782 a year.
See the prices behind each category · How living costs and salaries are calculated
Tax estimate assumptions
Tax year 2025/26. One resident employee and one employment income are assumed. Resident rates for 2025/26 financial year (1 Jul 2025 – 30 Jun 2026). Stage 3 tax cuts apply from 1 Jul 2024. Excludes Low Income Tax Offset (LITO, max AUD 700) and Medicare Levy Surcharge (1–1.5% for high earners without private health cover).
Important
This calculator gives an estimate of the income needed to cover living costs. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. It uses Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026, Australia's tax rules for 2025/26 and Wise exchange rates of 21 October 2026, and models one employment income. Check your figures with the salary tax calculator or the official rules in PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries / ATO.
Figures for 1 adult, outside the centre, no savings target.
Cost of living in Melbourne: common questions
Is Melbourne expensive to live in?
Melbourne is among the more expensive cities in both Australia and Oceania.
A single person spends about AUD 1,821 a month excluding rent, against AUD 1,696 in the typical city in Australia (the median of 21 cities, Numbeo, as of 1 June 2026).
Worldwide, Melbourne costs the same as or more than 89% of the 1,942 cities with a Numbeo household estimate, which makes it a relatively expensive city.
What salary do you need to live in Melbourne?
A single person may need a gross salary of at least AUD 52,000 a year to cover estimated living costs in Melbourne, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.
This is an estimate from Numbeo prices as of 1 June 2026 and Australia's tax rules for 2025/26. Use the salary calculator to add your household, housing and a savings target.
How much is rent in Melbourne?
A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs AUD 2,501 a month, and AUD 1,889 outside the centre, according to Numbeo averages as of 1 June 2026.
A three-bedroom apartment costs about AUD 4,847 a month in the centre and AUD 3,461 outside it.
Melbourne is the 8th most expensive city in Australia for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.
How much does a family spend in Melbourne?
A family of four spends about AUD 6,378 a month on living costs excluding rent, or AUD 11,226 including rent, according to Numbeo's household estimate as of 1 June 2026.
With two adults earning and a three-bedroom home outside the centre, the household may need a gross income of AUD 147,000 a year, excluding childcare costs.
Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs AUD 3,341 a month per child.
How does Melbourne compare with Australia's other cities?
Melbourne ranks 9th of 21 cities in Australia for one person's monthly costs including rent, where 1st is the most expensive.
Excluding rent, one person's costs are 7.4% more than in the typical city in Australia.
Where this data comes from
- Living costs and prices
- Numbeo, snapshot of 1 June 2026
- Exchange rates
- Wise mid-market rates, 21 October 2026
- Tax rules
- Expatica salary tax calculator, Australia 2025/26
- Locations and population
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 1 October 2026
- Regions for continent ranks
- UN M49 regions
Important
All amounts are indicative estimates, not quotes or financial advice. Numbeo's prices are reported by users, so coverage and recency vary by city: check rents and prices locally before you commit to a move.
Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click and make a purchase.
How living costs and salaries are calculated
- Your household size (adults and children, one to six people) picks Numbeo's household estimate for groceries, eating out, transport, utilities, leisure and rent.
- Rent is replaced by the price of a one-bedroom apartment (one or two people) or a three-bedroom apartment (three or more), in or outside the centre. A flatshare, for one adult without children, is a third of a three-bedroom home.
- "Other estimated costs" is Numbeo's household total less the named categories, not a separately reported price. Where a total is below its own categories, we use the categories, and a larger household's costs other than rent are never lower than a smaller household's.
- Child care and school are optional: preschool uses the city's monthly price for each child, international primary school its annual fee spread over 12 months. Children's ages, eligibility and public provision are not modelled.
- The salary is the gross income that leaves these costs, plus your savings target, after tax under Expatica's rules for Australia (2025/26). One adult has one employment income; two adults are two earners splitting it evenly, with no joint filing or household allowances. What the tax model covers is listed with the result.
- Numbeo's figures are in US dollars, converted with one set of Wise mid-market rates. Without them, amounts stay in US dollars and no salary is estimated.
How cities are compared and matched
- A typical city is the median of one person's monthly costs across the 21 cities in Australia in this guide and across the 1,942 cities worldwide with a Numbeo household estimate. Each row is its own median, so the rows do not add up.
- Ranks put the most expensive city first, and equal estimates share a rank. The worldwide percentile is the share of those 1,942 cities whose one-person monthly total, rent included, is the same or lower than Melbourne's.
- Nearby cities are places in this guide, possibly across a border, by straight-line distance between GeoNames location points.
- Comparable cities are in the same GeoNames population band (under 100,000, 100,000–499,999, 500,000–999,999, or 1 million and above; a neighbouring band, labelled, when a band has too few countries), one per country, outside Australia and not already listed as nearby. Population years and boundaries vary, so the bands are rough size guides.
- The match score compares a single person's costs excluding rent and the rent of a central one-bedroom apartment. For each, we divide the lower city's price by the higher; the score is the square root of the two ratios multiplied together, × 100. If both prices are 80% of the other city's, the match is 80%; if both are twice as high, 50%. It measures how close the costs are, not which city is cheaper or how alike they are to live in.