Melbourne vs London
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Melbourne is ~15% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Melbourne
Australia
COL+Rent
61.9
Rent Index
46.6
Groceries
79.3
Restaurant
69.8
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Melbourne | London | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,072 | $2,503 | $431 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,546 | $1,960 | $414 |
| Groceries | $441 | $422 | +$19 |
| Restaurant Meal | $23 | $28 | $5 |
| Transit Pass | $104 | $113 | $9 |
| Utilities | $156 | $258 | $102 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Melbourne | London |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,207/mo | $2,738/mo |
| Typical | $3,118/mo | $3,716/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,862/mo | $4,596/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Melbourne | ≈ in London | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,767/mo | +$267 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,355/mo | +$355 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,533/mo | +$533 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Melbourne vs London for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Melbourne is approximately 15% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. Melbourne's COL+Rent Index of 61.9 vs London's 72.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Melbourne costs $2,072/month versus $2,503/month in London — giving Melbourne a $431/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,172 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Melbourne ($441/mo) vs London ($422/mo) reflect London's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $23 vs $28 show Melbourne is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Melbourne offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $3,118 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.