Budget Direct Insurance Money Magazine - Insurer of the Year Canstar's Insurer of the Year 2026

Canstar & Money Magazine's
Insurer of the Year
prices shown in
Australia
Aus

The cost of living by Australian city

Rank
Cost of living index
#1
Canberra 84.4
#2
Sydney 83.6
#3
Melbourne 81.2
#4
Adelaide 79.8
#5
Gold Coast 79.4
#6
Perth 79.1
#7
Newcastle 78.2
#8
Hobart 77.8
#9
Darwin 75.1
#10
Brisbane 72.9

Housing

  • Rent apartment
  • Buy apartment

Rent 1 bedroom apartment

Cost per month

In city centre
Aus
Outside city centre
Aus

Rent 3 bedroom apartment

Cost per month

In city centre
Aus
Outside city centre
Aus

Buy apartment

Price per m2

In city centre
Aus
Outside city centre
Aus

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home insurance prices†
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Utilities

  • Basic Utilities
  • Internet & Phone

Basic utilities

Electricity, heating, water, Garbage for a 85m2 Apartment

Australian Avg.

Internet

60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, Cable/ADSL

Mobile phone data

Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data

Aus

Transport

  • Public Transport
  • Car

One-way ticket

Local transport

Aus

Monthly pass

Regular price

Aus

Buying a new car

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90KW Trendline (Or equivalent)

Aus
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Groceries

  • Staples
  • Meat
  • Produce
  • Cigarettes

Staples

Milk 1L
Aus
White bread 500g
Aus
Eggs 12
Aus
White rice 1kg
Aus

Pack of cigarettes

(Marlboro)

Australian Avg.
Australian Avg.

Meat & cheese

Chicken breasts 1kg
Aus
Beef round 1kg
Aus
Local cheese 1kg
Aus

Vegetables

Potatoes 1kg
Aus
Lettuce 1 head
Aus
Tomatoes 1kg
Aus

Fruit

Apples 1kg
Aus
Oranges 1 head
Aus
Bananas 1kg
Aus

Eating Out

  • Food
  • Drinks

Meal for two

Inexpensive restaurant 2 meals
Aus $4,070.74/mth
Mid-range restaurant Three-course meal for two people
Aus $4,070.74/mth

McDonalds McMeal

Or equivalent combo meal

Australian Avg.
4.5%
Australian Avg.
5.5%

Drinks

Coke/Pepsi 0.33L bottle
Aus $4,070.74/mth
Water 0.33L bottle
Aus $4,070.74/mth
Cappuccino regular
Aus $4,070.74/mth

Alcohol

  • Beer
  • Wine

Domestic beer

Restaurant 0.5L draught
Aus
Market 0.5L bottle
Aus

Imported beer

Restaurant 0.33L bottle
Aus
Market 0.33L bottle
Aus

Bottle of wine

Mid-range, from supermarket

Australian Avg.
5

Clothing

  • Clothing
  • Shoes

Pair of jeans

Levis 501 or similar

Aus

Summer dress

From a chain store (e.g. Zara, H&M)

Aus

Shoes

Nike shoes 1 pair
Aus
Men's leather shoes 1 pair
Aus

Leisure

  • Cinema
  • Sports

Cinema

One ticket for an international release

Australian Avg.
$15.33

Tennis court rental

One hour on weekend

Aus $4,070.74/mth

Fitness club

Monthly fee for one adult

Aus $4,070.74/mth