Cost of Living in Melbourne
*All prices in this section are listed in the Australian Dollar ($)*
Cost of accommodation in Melbourne
Your biggest outlay in Melbourne will be your accommodation. Rental prices near the city centre can be high, with a one-bedroom CBD apartment averaging about $430 a week. As with most cities, the further out of the CBD you are, the more you’ll save – but there are nonetheless some ‘hotspots’ with high prices even an hour or more outside of this main epicenter of activity.
For convenient and well-connected areas 15-30 minutes travel time to the CBD, look to the western suburbs. This part of town is lively, well served by public transport, and about $100 a week cheaper than CBD rental prices.
Cost of getting around in Melbourne
To get around, most people in Melbourne find public transport to be the cheapest and most convenient option. To avoid traffic jams, high parking fees (over $10 a day) and fluctuating fuel prices, it’s not uncommon for city-dwelling Melbournites to avoid owning a car altogether. A daily public transport ticket will cost around $7; although the city is divided into ‘zones’, so you may find yourself paying more if you live a few suburbs out of the CBD.
Cost of utilities in Melbourne
Many expats may be surprised to learn that Melbourne is prone to bitterly cold winters and scorching heat waves. As a result, you’ll need to factor the cost of heating and cooling your house into your utilities budget. The average Melbourne household spends around $1800 a year on gas and electricity costs, and about $500 annually on water bills.
Cost of keeping in touch in Melbourne
Telecommunications in Melbourne can seem expensive compared with many cities outside Australia. An average-use ADSL broadband plan of 50GB/month will cost around $100 a month with a major carrier, and many plans of less than 24 months duration will charge a setup fee of $100 and above. Shop around for bundled plans and special “no set-up fee” offers before choosing your network, as it can be very expensive to switch. Home phone lines start at around $20 a month, and mobile phones plans come with a range of capped, prepaid and postpaid options at every usage level. Most non-business mobile phone users spend around $50-$70 a month on their phone plan.
Cost of restaurants and food shopping in Melbourne
While its home to several fine dining restaurants, Melbourne also has an assortment of great places to eat without breaking the bank. In the CBD and the suburbs, you’ll find restaurants where you can eat fantastic food for little more than the cost of a fast food meal. It’s not uncommon to find an impressive meal for the bargain price of $15. Melbournians are very proud of the local ‘cheap eats’, and will probably be very happy to give you recommendations!
If you’d like a glass of wine with your meal, you’ll probably pay around $5 - $7. Beer served from the tap in a pub usually costs around $3.50 - $5.50 a “pot” (285ml), depending on your favourite brew. If buying from a liquor store, you’ll pay around $40 for a “slab” of beer (24 cans or bottles), and you can get a decent bottle of wine for $10 and upwards.
Grocery prices in Melbourne are largely in line with Australia’s average pricing, but if you want great fresh produce, a lively atmosphere and lower prices, you’re better off visiting the markets. Fresh food markets can be found in the CDB (the infamous Queen Victoria markets) and suburbs all around Melbourne, and it’s well worth your time exploring these bustling food centres. It’s probably a safe bet to allow around $100 per adult for weekly groceries including food, laundry and bathroom items and personal care.
Shopping and lifestyle costs in Melbourne
Popular or mainstream entertainment costs can be relatively high in Melbourne. A novel will normally retail at $24 or above, and a popular music CD costs around $25-$30. Cinema tickets are usually about $15, and DVDs are around $7 per night to hire or $25-$30 to buy. That being said, Melbourne also has a lot of free events and entertainment options, such as art galleries, concerts of all types, festivals and public movie screenings.
The cost of clothing in Melbourne runs the full scale: from incredible bargains to one-off boutique pieces sure wear your wallet thin. In the main shopping areas, a pair of Levis jeans will cost about $130, while an off-the-rack (but well-made) suit will be around the $700 mark. Melbourne is known countrywide for its great shopping, and one of the biggest draw cards is the discount and outlet shopping strips around the city.
One of Melbourne’s endearing qualities is that it embraces the spirit of finding a bargain; it’s seen as a treasure hunt rather than as being ‘stingy’!
