Australian Cost of Living Estimator

Choose a capital city, your household type, and whether you rent or own, and get an itemised weekly and monthly estimate across the six biggest spending categories — plus a comparison against the 8-city average.

Indicative estimates only. The figures below are representative 2026 ranges drawn from our published price guides and public sources such as the ABS. They are general information, not financial advice, and your actual costs will vary with suburb, lifestyle, and provider. Always do your own budgeting before making financial decisions.

Your details

Estimated living costs

Category Weekly Monthly
Estimated total

How it compares to the 8-city average

Your city
8-city average

How these estimates are built

Each category uses a representative weekly range for early 2026, based on the research behind our price guides: median advertised rents for a one-bedroom apartment (single), two-bedroom apartment (couple), or three-bedroom house (family of 4); supermarket grocery baskets; commuting and car running costs; electricity, gas, water, internet, and mobile; typical health insurance and out-of-pocket medical costs; and a moderate entertainment budget. The monthly column multiplies weekly figures by 52 and divides by 12. Figures are rounded and indicative — treat them as a starting point for your own budget, not a quote.

Want the detail behind the numbers? See our guides to the cost of living in Australia in 2026, average rents, grocery costs, and public transport costs.