Melbourne, Australia

Cost of Living in Melbourne, Australia

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Melbourne costs approximately $2,111 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,744. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Melbourne is a city in Australia, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,111 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,744 per month, or $1,295 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 164 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Melbourne scores 79/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 79°F and winter highs around 58°F, with roughly 321 sunny days a year.

Top for RunningTop for BikeabilityTop for VegetarianTop for Late NightTop for Sports EventsTop for ClubTop for Live MusicTop for Rooftop BarTop for Pub SceneTop for Green SpacesTop for Coffee CultureTop for ShoppingLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap waterMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$2,111≈ $70/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,744
Internet164 Mbps
Safety79/100
Avg Temp69°F

Melbourne Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$17.73
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$85.11
McDonald's Combo Meal$11.35
Cappuccino$1.90
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$8.51
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$2.47

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.90
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.77
Eggs (12)$6.04
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.32
Apples (1 lb)$1.74
Bananas (1 lb)$1.48
Tomatoes (1 lb)$2.15
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.40
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.74
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$14.18
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$35.46

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$3.90
Monthly Transit Pass$141.13
Taxi Start$3.62
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.27
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.31
VW Golf (New)$29,890.07

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$210.09
Mobile Phone Plan$28.30
Broadband Internet$54.75

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$51.28
Cinema Ticket$15.60
Preschool (Monthly)$2,293.01
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$31,149.26

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$77.96
Nike Running Shoes$127.66

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,743.94
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,295.11
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$3,370.77
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$2,411
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$696.08
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$603.07

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$4,319.95
Mortgage Interest Rate5.57%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Melbourne

Internet164 Mbps
Safety79/100
Healthcare72/100
Public Transit75/100
Walkability70/100
Nightlife70/100
Food Scene80/100
Fine Dining52/100
Coffee Culture95/100
Air Quality92/100
Green Spaces80/100
Culture78/100
Beaches85/100
Hiking85/100
Surfing60/100
Coworking Spaces80

Neighborhoods in Melbourne

Fitzroy · St Kilda · Carlton · South Yarra · Collingwood

Communities & Expat Groups

Melbourne Freelancers & Digital Nomads

Melbourne FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Melbourne?

A single person should budget around $2,111 per month in Melbourne, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Melbourne?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Melbourne averages $1,744 per month, dropping to about $1,295 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $3,371.

Is Melbourne safe?

Melbourne scores 79/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 85/100.

How fast is the internet in Melbourne?

Median download speeds in Melbourne are around 164 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 80 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Australia offer a digital nomad visa?

Australia does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.

What is the weather like in Melbourne?

Melbourne sees summer highs around 79°F and winter highs near 58°F, with about 321 sunny days and 121 rainy days per year.

Melbourne in our travel guides

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