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Canberra vs Perth cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ฆ๐บ Canberra
๐ฆ๐บ Perth
At a glance
- Where Perth is clearly cheaper: Laundry (50%โ), SIM card (43%โ), Scooter rental (22%โ)
- Where Canberra is clearly cheaper: Entry ticket (38%โ), Half-day tour (33%โ), Studio rent (month) (20%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Biggest gap: getting around โ Canberra 3 vs Perth 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Canberra | Perth | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | A$ 22$14.7 | A$ 24$16 | Canberra โ8% |
| Street food1 item | A$ 16$10.7 | A$ 15$10 | Perth โ6% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | A$ 48$32 | A$ 58$38.7 | Canberra โ17% |
| Coffeeone cup | A$ 5.2$3.47 | A$ 6$4 | Canberra โ13% |
| Beerone bottle | A$ 12$8 | A$ 13$8.67 | Canberra โ8% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | A$ 18$12 | A$ 22$14.7 | Canberra โ18% |
| Bottled water | A$ 3.5$2.33 | A$ 3$2 | Perth โ14% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | A$ 4.5$3 | A$ 4$2.67 | Perth โ11% |
| Taxi5 km in town | A$ 19$12.7 | A$ 17$11.3 | Perth โ11% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | A$ 11$7.33 | A$ 11$7.33 | similar |
| Transitone ride | A$ 3.41$2.27 | A$ 3.5$2.33 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | A$ 45$30 | A$ 35$23.3 | Perth โ22% |
| Hotel night3-star | A$ 190$127 | A$ 190$127 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | A$ 2,000$1,333 | A$ 2,500$1,667 | Canberra โ20% |
| Laundry | A$ 11$7.33 | A$ 5.5$3.67 | Perth โ50% |
| SIM card1 week data | A$ 30$20 | A$ 17$11.3 | Perth โ43% |
| Haircutcut | A$ 35$23.3 | A$ 40$26.7 | Canberra โ13% |
| Massage1 hour | A$ 90$60 | A$ 90$60 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | A$ 80$53.3 | A$ 120$80 | Canberra โ33% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | A$ 23$15.3 | A$ 37$24.7 | Canberra โ38% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Canberra or Perth?
Canberra is 10% cheaper than Perth. Daily budget $247 vs $256; a month $4,867 vs $5,718.
Which is easier to travel, Canberra or Perth?
About the same: Canberra 1.4/5, Perth 1.4/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Canberra and Perth?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Canberra is about $4,867 and Perth about $5,718 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.