Cost of Living in Melbourne (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Melbourne? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, inner suburbsAUD 2,200–3,100 / month

myki daily fare cap (metropolitan)AUD 11.40 full fare — halved to AUD 5.70 statewide until 1 Jan 2027

Groceries, one personAUD 450–700 / month

Ambulance Victoria membership≈AUD 56 / year single, ≈AUD 113 family

Overseas visitors health cover (single)AUD 85–180 / month

Good to know

Population

≈5.3 million (Greater Melbourne)

Languages

English; Mandarin, Greek, Italian, Vietnamese and Arabic widely spoken

Currency

Australian dollar (AUD)

Time zone

AEST (GMT+10); AEDT (GMT+11) from early October to early April

Power plug

Type I, 230 V / 50 Hz

Climate

Temperate oceanic — warm dry summers, cool wet winters, sharp same-day swings

Driving side

Left, with hook turns in the CBD

Work week

Mon–Fri, 38 ordinary hours; 4 weeks annual leave plus a Grand Final Friday holiday

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Melbourne checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.