Cost of living in Wagga Wagga

Rent, everyday prices and the gross salary you may need to cover living costs in Wagga Wagga.

Numbeo data as of 1 June 2026
About this data
Living costs
Numbeo household estimates and average prices from a snapshot taken on 1 June 2026. Prices are reported by users, so coverage and recency vary by city.
Salary
Grossed up through Expatica's tax rules for Australia (2025/26), one employment income per adult, no savings.
Currency
Shown in AUD, converted from the US dollar figures at Wise mid-market rates of 21 October 2026.

Source: Numbeo. All sources and method

One person, a month

AUD 1,578

Living costs excluding rent

Family of four, a month

AUD 5,636

Living costs excluding rent

One-bedroom rent, centre

AUD 1,329

A month

Gross salary, one person

AUD 34,000

to cover living costs in Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga's cost of living at a glance

Wagga Wagga is one of the least expensive cities in both Australia and Oceania. The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Wagga Wagga are AUD 1,578, excluding rent. Living costs for a family of four are AUD 5,636 a month, excluding rent.

A single person in Wagga Wagga may need a gross salary of at least AUD 34,000 a year to cover estimated living costs, renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre and saving nothing.

See how Wagga Wagga compares

One person's monthly costs

Numbeo household estimate in AUD, with the rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre

  • RentAUD 1,329
  • GroceriesAUD 523
  • Eating outAUD 317
  • TransportAUD 114
  • UtilitiesAUD 255
  • LeisureAUD 66.44
  • Other estimated costsAUD 303

Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.

How Wagga Wagga compares

One person's monthly costs in Wagga Wagga, excluding rent, are 7.0% lower than in the typical city in Australia and 23.0% higher than in the typical city worldwide.

Where Wagga Wagga ranks

In Australia

19th of 21

One person's monthly costs including rent, most expensive first.

In Oceania

25th of 32

Cities in Oceania with a Numbeo estimate, most expensive first.

Worldwide

63rd percentile

Costs the same as or more than 63% of 1,942 cities: around the middle of the cost range.

One-bedroom rent, centre

20th of 21

Cities in Australia, most expensive first.

Monthly costs against the typical city

  • Wagga Wagga
  • Typical national city
  • Typical city worldwide

Tap a line or a table row to read its three amounts.

Monthly costWagga WaggaTypical national cityTypical city worldwide
RentAUD 1,329AUD 2,198 −39.5%AUD 1,056 +25.8%
GroceriesAUD 523AUD 506 +3.4%AUD 400 +30.8%
Eating outAUD 317AUD 315 +0.7%AUD 225 +40.9%
TransportAUD 114AUD 114 +0.2%AUD 56.91 +101.2%
UtilitiesAUD 255AUD 318 −19.9%AUD 248 +2.4%
LeisureAUD 66.44AUD 106 −37.4%AUD 88.17 −24.6%
Total excluding rentAUD 1,578AUD 1,696 −7.0%AUD 1,283 +23.0%
Total including rentAUD 2,907AUD 4,093 −29.0%AUD 2,380 +22.1%

Typical = the median of 21 cities in Australia and 1,942 cities worldwide.

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Explore prices in Wagga Wagga

The average price for each item, and the range from the lowest to the highest price people have reported.

Renting in Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga is the 2nd cheapest city in Australia for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre. The closest-priced city in Australia is Ballarat.

A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs AUD 1,329 a month.

Outside the centre, a one-bedroom apartment typically costs AUD 1,022 a month.

A one-bedroom apartment in the centre is around 30% more expensive to rent than one outside the centre.

ItemAverage pricePrice range
1-bed apartment in the city centre
Monthly rent
AUD 1,329Not available
1-bed apartment outside the centre
Monthly rent
AUD 1,022Not available
3-bed apartment in the city centre
Monthly rent
AUD 2,188AUD 2,126–AUD 2,249
3-bed apartment outside the centre
Monthly rent
AUD 1,636AUD 1,636–AUD 1,636
Price per m² in the city centreAUD 5,111Not available
Price per m² outside the centreAUD 3,578Not available

Cost of everyday items in Wagga Wagga

Groceries in Wagga Wagga are around 3% more expensive than the average for Australia, while eating out is around 3% cheaper than the country average.

A litre of milk typically costs AUD 2.19.

A 500g loaf of fresh white bread typically costs AUD 4.38.

A pack of 20 cigarettes typically costs AUD 51.11.

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Milk, 1 litreAUD 2.19AUD 1.54–AUD 3.27
Fresh white bread, 500gAUD 4.38AUD 2.25–AUD 7.16
Eggs, 12 largeAUD 7.13AUD 5.11–AUD 10.80
Local cheese, 1kgAUD 16.86AUD 10.22–AUD 29.65
Chicken fillets, 1kgAUD 10.22AUD 10.22–AUD 25.55
Beef round, 1kgAUD 25.31AUD 15.34–AUD 35.78
Apples, 1kgAUD 5.62AUD 4.60–AUD 7.16
Oranges, 1kgAUD 5.01AUD 3.06–AUD 10.22
Potatoes, 1kgAUD 3.80AUD 2.05–AUD 6.13
Lettuce, 1 headAUD 3.91AUD 2.96–AUD 5.11
White rice, 1kgAUD 3.20AUD 1.84–AUD 5.11
Tomatoes, 1kgAUD 6.79AUD 4.91–AUD 11.24
Bananas, 1kgAUD 4.68AUD 4.08–AUD 10.22
Onions, 1kgAUD 4.03AUD 2.05–AUD 5.62
Water, 1.5 litre bottleAUD 2.13AUD 0.92–AUD 3.07
Mid-range bottle of wineAUD 21.26AUD 20.45–AUD 26.58
Domestic beer, 0.5 litre bottleAUD 6.54AUD 5.11–AUD 7.30
Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottleAUD 7.98AUD 7.88–AUD 8.18
Cigarettes, 20 packAUD 51.11AUD 46.00–AUD 53.15

Eating out in Wagga Wagga

A 0.5-litre draught beer typically costs AUD 13.29, making Wagga Wagga one of the most expensive places in Australia to buy a beer.

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Meal at an inexpensive restaurantAUD 19.93AUD 14.31–AUD 40.89
Three-course meal for twoAUD 132AUD 89.96–AUD 184
Fast food combo mealAUD 15.34AUD 15.34–AUD 15.34
Domestic beer, 0.5 litre draughtAUD 13.29AUD 9.21–AUD 15.34
Imported beer, 0.33 litre bottleAUD 14.31AUD 10.22–AUD 18.40
Soft drink, 0.33 litre bottleAUD 4.48AUD 3.98–AUD 6.13
Water, 0.33 litre bottleAUD 3.77AUD 3.07–AUD 5.11
CappuccinoAUD 5.63AUD 4.71–AUD 7.16

Transport in Wagga Wagga

ItemAverage pricePrice range
One-way public transport ticketAUD 4.60Not available
Monthly public transport passAUD 114AUD 90.99–AUD 138
Gasoline, 1 litreAUD 1.75AUD 1.66–AUD 2.15
Taxi startAUD 5.93AUD 5.93–AUD 7.67
Taxi, per kmAUD 2.35AUD 2.35–AUD 4.60
Taxi waiting, 1 hourAUD 25.14AUD 25.14–AUD 63.17
Volkswagen Golf, newAUD 39,551AUD 39,551–AUD 40,890
Toyota Corolla sedan, newAUD 43,922AUD 37,236–AUD 60,601

Utilities in Wagga Wagga

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment
Monthly
AUD 191AUD 184–AUD 409
Broadband internet
Monthly
AUD 81.44AUD 71.55–AUD 87.22
Mobile phone plan
Monthly
AUD 44.32AUD 20.45–AUD 71.55

How is Wagga Wagga for families?

A family of four with two adults and two children may need a gross household income of AUD 101,000 a year in Wagga Wagga, excluding childcare costs.

Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs AUD 3,182 a month.

A three-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs AUD 2,188 a month.

Wagga Wagga scores 42/100 on Numbeo's safety index.

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Family of four, excluding rent
Monthly, Numbeo household estimate
AUD 5,636Not applicable
Family of four, including rent
Monthly, Numbeo household estimate
AUD 7,824Not applicable
Private preschool or kindergarten
Monthly
AUD 3,182AUD 3,169–AUD 3,885
International primary school
Annual
AUD 28,777AUD 16,561–AUD 43,241

Leisure and clothing in Wagga Wagga

ItemAverage pricePrice range
Gym membership
Monthly
AUD 40.89Not available
Tennis court rental, 1 hourAUD 25.55Not available
Cinema ticketAUD 22.49AUD 20.45–AUD 25.55
JeansAUD 115AUD 81.78–AUD 153
Summer dress from a chain storeAUD 85.67AUD 51.11–AUD 122
Nike running shoesAUD 172AUD 123–AUD 245
Men's leather business shoesAUD 199AUD 132–AUD 286

Source: Numbeo, 1 June 2026.

What salary do I need to live in Wagga Wagga?

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 Wagga Wagga. Use the calculator below to see how much you would need to live in Wagga Wagga, and where your money goes.

Your household

Housing location
Housing location

Select the number of children before choosing child care or school.

AUD

Money left over after tax and living costs. Leave blank for none.

Savings target period
Savings target period
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Show annual or monthly amounts

Recommended gross salary

AUD 34,498

Needed to support 1 adult and no children in Wagga Wagga, living in a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre.

Take-home pay
AUD 31,201
Living costs
AUD 31,201
Tax and contributions
AUD 3,298

Where your salary goes

AUD 34,498gross a year
  • Living costsAUD 31,20190.4%
  • Income tax and contributionsAUD 3,2989.6%
How the recommended income was worked out
OperatorItemA year
Gross salaryAUD 34,498
−Income tax and contributionsAUD 3,298
=Take-home payAUD 31,201
−RentAUD 12,267
−GroceriesAUD 6,272
−Eating outAUD 3,805
−TransportAUD 1,374
−UtilitiesAUD 3,054
−LeisureAUD 797
−Other estimated costsAUD 3,631
=Left over: savings targetAUD 0

AUD 34,498 gross salary modelled as one employment income gives a 9.6% effective tax rate and AUD 3,298 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 Wagga Wagga costs an estimated AUD 1,022 per month. AUD 1,022 per month × 12 months = AUD 12,267 a year.

Groceries. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Wagga Wagga spends an estimated AUD 523 on groceries per month. AUD 523 per month × 12 months = AUD 6,272 a year.

Eating out. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Wagga Wagga spends an estimated AUD 317 on eating out per month. AUD 317 per month × 12 months = AUD 3,805 a year.

Transport. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Wagga Wagga spends an estimated AUD 114 on transport per month. AUD 114 per month × 12 months = AUD 1,374 a year.

Utilities. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Wagga Wagga spends an estimated AUD 255 on utilities per month. AUD 255 per month × 12 months = AUD 3,054 a year.

Leisure. Numbeo estimates a household of one person in Wagga Wagga spends an estimated AUD 66.44 on leisure per month. AUD 66.44 per month × 12 months = AUD 797 a year.

Other estimated costs. Numbeo's household estimate for miscellaneous costs: this may include things like clothing, shoes and entertainment costs. AUD 303 per month × 12 months = AUD 3,631 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).

Try Expatica's tax calculator for Australia

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 Wagga Wagga: common questions

Is Wagga Wagga expensive to live in?

Wagga Wagga is one of the least expensive cities in both Australia and Oceania.

A single person spends about AUD 1,578 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, Wagga Wagga costs the same as or more than 63% of the 1,942 cities with a Numbeo household estimate, which makes it around the middle of the cost range.

What salary do you need to live in Wagga Wagga?

A single person may need a gross salary of at least AUD 34,000 a year to cover estimated living costs in Wagga Wagga, 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 Wagga Wagga?

A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre typically costs AUD 1,329 a month, and AUD 1,022 outside the centre, according to Numbeo averages as of 1 June 2026.

A three-bedroom apartment costs about AUD 2,188 a month in the centre and AUD 1,636 outside it.

Wagga Wagga is the 2nd cheapest city in Australia for a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.

How much does a family spend in Wagga Wagga?

A family of four spends about AUD 5,636 a month on living costs excluding rent, or AUD 7,824 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 101,000 a year, excluding childcare costs.

Private preschool or kindergarten typically costs AUD 3,182 a month per child.

How does Wagga Wagga compare with Australia's other cities?

Wagga Wagga ranks 19th 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 7.0% less 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 Wagga Wagga'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.