Melbourne Cost of Living 2026
Australia · Big city — about the US average. Updated September 2026 Not just the exchange rate: how cheap it feels on your own income, and where a price turns into a rip-off.
Melbourne price table & rip-off thresholds
| Item | Base price | Normal range | Rip-off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | A$22$14.7 | A$15.4 – A$35.2 | A$42.24+ |
| Street food1 item | A$9.9$6.6 | A$5.94 – A$17.82 | A$21.38+ |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | A$60$40 | A$42 – A$96 | A$115.2+ |
| Bakery & dessert1 item | A$5.4$3.6 | A$3.24 – A$9.72 | A$11.66+ |
| Coffeeone cup | A$6$4 | A$3.6 – A$9.6 | A$11.52+ |
| Fruit juiceone cup | A$9$6 | A$5.4 – A$16.2 | A$19.44+ |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | A$6.3$4.2 | A$3.78 – A$11.97 | A$14.36+ |
| Bottled water | A$2.5$1.67 | A$1.75 – A$5 | A$6+ |
| Beerone bottle | A$10$6.67 | A$6 – A$17 | A$20.4+ |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | A$26$17.3 | A$15.6 – A$44.2 | A$53.04+ |
| Taxi5 km in town | A$22$14.7 | A$17.6 – A$35.2 | A$42.24+ |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | A$18$12 | A$12.6 – A$32.4 | A$38.88+ |
| Transitone ride | A$4.5$3 | A$4.05 – A$5.85 | A$7.02+ |
| Scooter rentalper day | A$75$50 | A$52.5 – A$120 | A$144+ |
| Hotel night3-star | A$280$187 | A$168 – A$448 | A$537.6+ |
| Laundry | A$7.5$5 | A$5.25 – A$12 | A$14.4+ |
| SIM card1 week data | A$30$20 | A$21 – A$51 | A$61.2+ |
| Haircutcut | A$42$28 | A$25.2 – A$75.6 | A$90.72+ |
| Massage1 hour | A$120$80 | A$84 – A$192 | A$230.4+ |
| Half-day tourper person | A$140$93.3 | A$98 – A$224 | A$268.8+ |
| Entry ticketTourist town | A$38$25.3 | A$30.4 – A$53.2 | A$63.84+ |
Base prices start from public cost-of-living data; once 3+ traveler reports come in, the app blends in what travelers actually paid. Rate A$1.5 per USD, for reference.
Live prices reported in Melbourne
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FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Melbourne for a month?
A short-term studio rental (about $4,230) plus food, coffee, transport and a SIM (about $1,983) comes to roughly $6,213 a month. A local long-term lease (studio A$2,800) brings it down a lot.
What is a realistic daily budget for Melbourne?
A mid-range room (about $192 a night) plus three meals, a coffee and two taxi rides is about $324 a day. Hostels and local eateries bring it well under that.
How do I know if a taxi in Melbourne is overcharging?
For 5 km in the city, expect A$17.6 – A$35.2. Anything above A$42.24 is suspicious. The app's Price Check lets you pick the distance and gives a verdict in seconds.
How much is a coffee or a local meal in Melbourne?
Coffee about A$6 ($4), a local meal about A$22 ($14.7), dinner at a mid-range restaurant about A$60.