Cost of Living in Melbourne, Australia
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 183 sunny days a year.
Melbourne Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Melbourne
How Melbourne Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Melbourne ranks in the top 9% for air quality, but costs more than 68% of them.
| Metric | Melbourne | World rank | Rank in Oceania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,111 | #233 of 340 | #5 of 12 |
| Safety | 79/100 | #68 of 340 | #10 of 12 |
| Healthcare | 72/100 | #138 of 340 | #7 of 12 |
| Internet speed | 164 Mbps | #170 of 340 | #4 of 12 |
| Walkability | 70/100 | #100 of 340 | #2 of 12 |
| Public transit | 75/100 | #41 of 340 | #2 of 12 |
| Food scene | 80/100 | #103 of 340 | #3 of 12 |
| Air quality | 92/100 | #28 of 340 | #4 of 12 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Melbourne
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Melbourne.
- Split, Croatia — $1,620/mo, 23% cheaper, safety 82/100
- Zagreb, Croatia — $1,440/mo, 32% cheaper, safety 78/100
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 183 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 89 days.
Melbourne in our travel guides
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