Cost of living snapshot by state (2026)
Australia has one of the most geographically varied cost-of-living profiles of any developed country. The gap between Sydney inner-city and South Australian regional is enormous — yet salaries don't always adjust proportionally. Here's a quick state-by-state summary.
| State | Median salary | Inner-city 2br rent | Overall vs Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌉 New South Wales | $92,560/yr | $3,900/mo | Baseline |
| 🏙️ Victoria | $88,400/yr | $3,100/mo | -21% |
| ☀️ Queensland | $85,280/yr | $2,900/mo | -26% |
| 🌅 Western Australia | $94,640/yr | $2,800/mo | -28% |
| 🍷 South Australia | $80,080/yr | $2,400/mo | -38% |
| 🏛️ Australian Capital Territory | $101,400/yr | $3,000/mo | -23% |
| 🌲 Tasmania | $74,880/yr | $2,200/mo | -44% |
| 🦘 Northern Territory | $87,360/yr | $2,500/mo | -36% |
Inner city vs outer suburbs: how much do you save?
The suburb tier you choose within a city matters almost as much as which city you choose. In Sydney, the difference between inner-city and outer suburbs for a 2-bedroom rental is typically $1,000–$1,500 per month. Melbourne's gap is $700–$1,000. Over a year, that's $8,400–$18,000 in rent alone — real money that either goes into your pocket or into the landlord's.
The trade-off is commute cost and time. Add up the cost of a second car, parking, and commuting time before assuming outer suburbs are cheaper overall. In many cases, the numbers are closer than they appear once transport is factored in.
What the comparison tool doesn't include
These estimates cover the most significant recurring household expenses. They don't include one-off costs (stamp duty, bond, moving costs), entertainment and personal spending variations, private health insurance, childcare for families with multiple children, private school fees, or the premium for specific highly sought-after streets or buildings. They also don't capture quality differences — services that cost the same in Darwin and Sydney may differ significantly in availability and quality.