Perth vs Melbourne
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Perth is ~10% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Perth
Australia
COL+Rent
55.7
Rent Index
39.5
Groceries
74
Restaurant
63.3
Melbourne
Australia
COL+Rent
61.9
Rent Index
46.6
Groceries
79.3
Restaurant
69.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Perth | Melbourne | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,758 | $2,072 | $314 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,311 | $1,546 | $235 |
| Groceries | $412 | $441 | $29 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $23 | $1 |
| Transit Pass | $97 | $104 | $7 |
| Utilities | $146 | $156 | $10 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Perth | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,930/mo | $2,207/mo |
| Typical | $2,743/mo | $3,118/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,419/mo | $3,862/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Perth | ≈ in Melbourne | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,667/mo | +$167 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,223/mo | +$223 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,334/mo | +$334 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Perth vs Melbourne for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Perth is approximately 10% more affordable than Melbourne when combining rent and daily living costs. Perth's COL+Rent Index of 55.7 vs Melbourne's 61.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Perth costs $1,758/month versus $2,072/month in Melbourne — giving Perth a $314/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,768 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Perth ($412/mo) vs Melbourne ($441/mo) reflect Perth's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $23 show Perth 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, Perth offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,743 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.