Perth vs New York
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Perth is ~32% 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
New York
United States
COL+Rent
82.5
Rent Index
70
Groceries
98.7
Restaurant
105.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Perth | New York | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,758 | $3,182 | $1,424 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,311 | $2,494 | $1,183 |
| Groceries | $412 | $566 | $154 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $30 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $97 | $99 | $2 |
| Utilities | $146 | $229 | $83 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Perth | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,930/mo | $3,338/mo |
| Typical | $2,743/mo | $4,526/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,419/mo | $5,567/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Perth | ≈ in New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,222/mo | +$722 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,962/mo | +$962 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,443/mo | +$1,443 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Perth vs New York for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Perth is approximately 32% more affordable than New York when combining rent and daily living costs. Perth's COL+Rent Index of 55.7 vs New York's 82.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Perth costs $1,758/month versus $3,182/month in New York — giving Perth a $1,424/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $17,088 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Perth ($412/mo) vs New York ($566/mo) reflect Perth's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $30 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.