Calling all ambitious international students! Australia beckons with its world-class education, vibrant cities, and diverse landscapes. But before you lock in your dream university, a crucial decision awaits: Melbourne or Perth?
Both cities boast exceptional academic institutions, thriving cultural scenes, and unique experiences. Melbourne, the cultural heart of Victoria, pulsates with street art, music, and theatre, while Perth, bathed in sunshine, entices with its stunning beaches, historical charm, and delectable cuisine. The question is what is the Cost of Living Perth vs Melbourne?
However, beyond the allure lies a practical consideration: the cost of living. Understanding the financial landscape of each city is key to making an informed decision for your study abroad journey.
The Numbers Speak:
- Melbourne: The average annual cost of living in Melbourne is approximately AU$22,152.
- Perth: Perth offers a slightly more budget-friendly option, with an average annual cost of living around AU$17,820.
These figures encompass various essential expenses, including:
- Accommodation: From trendy apartments to student-friendly co-living options, we’ll compare the housing landscapes in both cities.
- Transportation: Discover the costs and convenience of each city’s public transport infrastructure and potential alternatives.
- Food and Groceries: Explore the affordability of groceries and dining out options in both locations.
- Utilities: We’ll break down the average costs for essential utilities like electricity, water, and internet.
- Recreation: Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or an art aficionado, we’ll compare the costs of entertainment and leisure activities in both cities.
By delving deeper into this blog, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the cost of living in Melbourne and Perth. This knowledge will empower you to make the best decision for your financial well-being and academic aspirations in Australia.
So, buckle up and get ready to embark on a cost-of-living exploration! We’ll guide you through every step of the way, ensuring you choose the city that perfectly aligns with your budget and lifestyle.
Breakdown Of Cost Of Living Perth Vs Melbourne
The following table includes an all-inclusive comparison of Perth vs Melbourne cost of living.
| Particulars | Monthly Living Expenses in Perth (AU$) | Monthly Living Expenses in Melbourne (AU$) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | AU$352 | AU$596 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | AU$640 | AU$1,460 |
| Transportation | AU$168 | AU$159 |
| Food Cost | AU$696 | AU$754 |
| Utility Cost | AU$147 | AU$160 |
| Entertainment | AU$66 | AU$66 |
| Groceries | AU$147 | AU$160 |
| Clothes | AU$77 | AU$110 |
| Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation | AU$1,485 | AU$1,846 |
| Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation | AU$1,773 | AU$2,710 |
| Annual Cost of Living | AU$17,820 | AU$22,152 |
Cost Of Living Perth Vs Melbourne
The average annual cost of living in Perth is AU$ 17,820, whereas that in Melbourne is AU$ 22,152. Melbourne is more expensive to live in since it is highly populated and one of the biggest cities in Australia. To properly comprehend Melbourne vs Perth cost of living, let us analyse each factor.
Accommodation
Although the cost of on-campus accommodation is significantly higher in both Perth and Melbourne, the latter has a considerable margin in the overall prices of housing. One primary attribute of this could be the increased demand. First-year students can opt for on-campus housing since it offers more security. However, once you gain some experience, you can shift to private housing. Check out the following table for average prices.
| Particulars | Location | Cost in Perth (AU$) | Cost in Melbourne (AU$) |
| Rent of 1BHK | In city centre | AU$1,626/month | AU$1,609/month |
| Outside city centre | AU$1,277/month | AU$1,369/month | |
| Rent of 3BHK | In city centre | AU$2,638/month | AU$3,168/month |
| Outside city centre | AU$1,816/month | AU$2,048/month | |
| Total cost of an apartment | In city centre | AU$6,900/sq. m. | AU$9,346/sq. m. |
| Outside city centre | AU$4,274/sq. m. | AU$7,875/sq. m. | |
| Mortgage rates | – | 3.08% | AU$2.98% |
Transportation (Cost of Living Perth vs Melbourne)
Perth has an extensive network of trains, buses, and ferries for transportation. Not only are these cheap but they’re also well-connected, reducing the need for booking taxis. Melbourne has rail, tram and buses, which are also widespread. Melbourne’s tram network is the largest in the world. Thus, students can rely entirely on public transport since it is considerably cheaper than private transport. Look at the table given below for a better insight.
| Particulars | Cost in Perth (AU$) | Cost in Melbourne (AU$) |
| A one-way ticket for local transport | AU$4 | AU$4.5 |
| Monthly Pass | AU$139 | AU$156 |
| Fuel/litre | AU$1.63 | AU$1.73 |
| Taxi (Starting) | AU$6.54 | AU$5 |
| Taxi/km | AU$1.86 | AU$2.7 |
Food And Groceries (Cost of Living Perth vs Melbourne)
The prices of food and groceries aren’t too different in both cities. When comparing the cost of living Perth vs Melbourne, we can infer that groceries in Melbourne are only 1.44% more expensive than in Perth. However, dining out and takeaway prices are more varied, with Melbourne priced at 6.04% more. You can try to avail of student discounts in restaurants since some establishments have concessions on entry fees for students. Besides, groceries and food prices are subjective to the standard of living and personal preferences. Check out the following table to get a better estimate.
| Particulars | Cost in Perth (AU$) | Cost in Melbourne (AU$) |
| Milk – 1 litre | AU$1.69 | AU$1.68 |
| White Bread – 500gm | AU$2.51 | AU$3.05 |
| Eggs – one dozen | AU$4.82 | AU$5.23 |
| White rice – 1kg | AU$2.66 | AU$2.55 |
| Potatoes – 1kg | AU$2.89 | AU$3.21 |
| Lettuce – 1 head | AU$2.18 | AU$2.61 |
| Tomatoes – 1kg | AU$4.82 | AU$4.61 |
| Chicken – 1kg | AU$10.78 | AU$11.13 |
| Beef – 1kg | AU$18.57 | AU$18.23 |
| Cheese – 1kg | AU$11.67 | AU$12.49 |
| Apples – 1kg | AU$4.82 | AU$4.16 |
| Bananas – 1kg | AU$3.71 | AU$3.19 |
Here are the average prices for dining out and alcohol.
| Items | Cost in Perth (AU$) | Cost in Melbourne (AU$) |
| Inexpensive meal – 2 people | AU$40 | AU$40 |
| Mid-range meal – 2 people | AU$85 | AU$100 |
| Mcdonalds meal | AU$12.75 | AU$13 |
| Coffee – regular cappuccino | AU$4.74 | AU$4.56 |
| Water – 0.33 litre bottle | AU$3.13 | AU$2.76 |
| Cold drinks | AU$3.27 | AU$3.31 |
| Domestic beer – 0.5 litre draught from market | AU$5.06 | AU$5.66 |
| Bottle of wine from the supermarket | AU$15 | AU$16.5 |
Entertainment & Miscellaneous
As the following table indicates, consumer prices in Perth and Melbourne are quite similar. Although it states the average prices of everyday goods and services, the practical costs can vary to a large extent since they depend on the popularity of the area, stores, and trends as well. Students can get much cheaper goods, too, by exploring other options.
| Particulars | Cost in Perth (AU$) | Cost in Melbourne (AU$) |
| Pair of Jeans | AU$91.32 | AU$101 |
| Dress (from chain stores) | AU$73.38 | AU$56.04 |
| Nike shoes | AU$131.59 | AU$137.28 |
| Business shoes | AU$139.29 | AU$153.86 |
| Movies – 1 ticket | AU$19 | AU$20 |
| Gym/fitness club – monthly | AU$69.20 | AU$69 |
ROI – Returns on Investment (Cost of Living Perth vs Melbourne)
We can compare the returns on investment by looking at the average cost of tuition in the top universities in both cities and the average salaries for popular job profiles. Thus, ROI indicates the returns you receive in monetary terms or benefits against your investment. Check out the following sections for more data.
Tuition & Salary In Perth
Check out the popular universities in Perth and their average annual cost of tuition.
| University Name | Cost of Studying in Perth (AU$) |
| Edith Cowan University | AU$32,000 |
| Murdoch University | AU$30,000 |
| Curtin University | AU$25,000 |
| University of Notre Dame | AU$37,000 |
| The University of Western Australia | AU$30,000 |
To understand the returns, let’s look at the average annual salaries in Perth for some of the most popular job profiles. The average annual salary in Perth is AU$ 94,985.
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary (AU$) |
| Operations Manager | AU$93,000 |
| Accountant | AU$62,000 |
| Project Engineer | AU$87,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | AU$80,000 |
| General Manager | AU$117,000 |
Tuition & Salary In Melbourne
After Perth, let’s consider the cost of tuition in Melbourne. The following table consists of the popular universities and their average annual fees.
| University | Annual Cost of Tuition (AU$) |
| The University of Melbourne | AU$40,000 |
| Federation University Melbourne | AU$22,400 |
| Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University | AU$31,000 |
| Victoria University | AU$20,000 |
| La Trobe University | AU$8,600 |
| Monash University | AU$37,500 |
Lastly, for an accurate comparison of the cost of living Perth vs Melbourne, let us look at the average annual salaries for popular jobs. The average annual salary in Melbourne is AU$ 87,256.
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary (AU$) |
| Operations Manager | AU$89,220 |
| Software Engineer | AU$83,544 |
| Project Manager | AU$1,02,073 |
| Marketing Manager | AU$84,891 |
| Project Engineer | AU$86,803 |
Conclusion
As the data indicates, Perth has a higher ROI when compared to Melbourne. Also, its cost of living is considerably less. If living expenses are a significant factor for you when deciding on a location, Perth might be more suitable. It also has more aesthetic sceneries and is well-suited for people who prefer isolated areas. However, if you’re looking to live in a metropolitan city with more accessibility and corporate culture, Melbourne will be apt.
The final decision also depends on several other factors, like universities, housing options, educational credentials, etc. But the cost of living Perth vs Melbourne can help you form an accurate judgement.
FAQs
1. Is it cheaper to live in Melbourne or Perth?
The annual cost of living in Melbourne is around AU$ 22,152, which is considerably more than the cost of living in Perth, AU$ 17,820.
2. Why choose Perth over Melbourne?
Most importantly, Perth has a cheaper cost of living than Melbourne, which suits a student’s budget. It also has low unemployment rates, safer neighbourhoods, and multicultural diversity, which might help international students feel more welcome.
3. Is Perth colder than Melbourne?
Perth typically has warmer weather than Melbourne and less rain. Despite that, residents claim that Perth’s weather is much lovelier and conducive to outdoor activities, picnics, etc.
Thank you for reading our guide to the cost of living Perth vs Melbourne! Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
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