Australia🇦🇺
At a Glance
How Australia compares across key indices
Cost of Living
70 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
53/100
Healthcare
72/100
Quality of Life
191/200
Climate
92/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Australia
Cost of Living
70
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
32
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
79
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
67
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Ballarat
Cheapest$1,947/mo
Toowoomba
$2,069/mo
Cairns
$2,431/mo
Townsville
$2,506/mo
Newcastle
$2,744/mo
Adelaide
$2,799/mo
Perth
$2,861/mo
Brisbane
$2,863/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in Australia — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
53/100
Crime Index
47/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
67/100
Crime perceived as increasing
Walking Safety
28 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 9,060 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in Australia
Australia has 16 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,947 in Ballarat to $3,800 in Sydney. Canberra leads on safety, scoring 72/100. Gold Coast ranks highest for quality of life at 199/200.
Ballarat
$1,947/mo
Canberra
72/100
Gold Coast
199/200
Gold Coast
78/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballarat | $1,947 | 45/100 | — | — | — |
| Toowoomba | $2,069 | 42/100 | — | — | — |
| Cairns | $2,431 | 38/100 | — | — | — |
| Townsville | $2,506 | 39/100 | — | — | — |
| Newcastle | $2,744 | 52/100 | — | — | — |
| Adelaide | $2,799 | 67/100 | 196/200 | 72/100 | 25 |
| Perth | $2,861 | 58/100 | 196/200 | 72/100 | 28 |
| Brisbane | $2,863 | 62/100 | 196/200 | 71/100 | 33 |
| Canberra | $2,914 | 72/100 | 194/200 | 70/100 | 25 |
| Hobart | $2,920 | 66/100 | 198/200 | 64/100 | 28 |
| Darwin | $2,929 | 37/100 | — | — | 23 |
| Melbourne | $2,930 | 56/100 | 191/200 | 72/100 | 28 |
| Gold Coast | $3,299 | 53/100 | 199/200 | 78/100 | 24 |
| Sydney | $3,800 | 66/100 | 184/200 | 75/100 | 28 |
| Alice Springs | — | 34/100 | — | — | — |
| Rockhampton | — | 33/100 | — | — | — |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for Australia
Healthcare Index
72/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 1,345 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
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Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Australia
Pollution Index
28/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 2,538 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in Australia
Average One-Way Commute
39minutes
Average
Traffic Index
171
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
261
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
6.5kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 1,162 survey responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in Australia, answered with data
What is the cost of living in Australia?
Australia has a cost of living index of 70 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,947 in Ballarat and reach $3,800 in Sydney.
What is the cheapest city in Australia for expats?
Ballarat is the most affordable city in Australia with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $1,947 for a single person including rent. Toowoomba is the next most affordable at $2,069/mo.
Is Australia safe for expats?
Australia has a safety index of 53/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Canberra scores highest on safety at 72/100.
What is the best city in Australia for expats and digital nomads?
Gold Coast ranks highest for quality of life in Australia, scoring 199/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $3,299/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Ballarat offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,947/mo.
How good is healthcare in Australia?
Australia scores 72/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is Australia cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Australia's cost of living is roughly 30% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 68% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Australia?
Australia has a pollution index of 28/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for Australia
Plan Your Move
Escape Plan Quiz
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Salary Calculator
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Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
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Set Up International Banking
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