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Darwin 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 Darwin
๐ฆ๐บ Perth
At a glance
- Where Perth is clearly cheaper: Laundry (45%โ), SIM card (43%โ), Entry ticket (23%โ)
- Where Darwin is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (28%โ), Haircut (25%โ), Beer (23%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Perth is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: getting around โ Darwin 3 vs Perth 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Darwin | Perth | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | A$ 20$13.3 | A$ 24$16 | Darwin โ17% |
| Street food1 item | A$ 16$10.7 | A$ 15$10 | Perth โ6% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | A$ 45$30 | A$ 58$38.7 | Darwin โ22% |
| Coffeeone cup | A$ 5.5$3.67 | A$ 6$4 | Darwin โ8% |
| Beerone bottle | A$ 10$6.67 | A$ 13$8.67 | Darwin โ23% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | A$ 17$11.3 | A$ 22$14.7 | Darwin โ23% |
| Bottled water | A$ 3.5$2.33 | A$ 3$2 | Perth โ14% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | A$ 4.5$3 | A$ 4$2.67 | Perth โ11% |
| Taxi5 km in town | A$ 16$10.7 | A$ 17$11.3 | Darwin โ6% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | A$ 10$6.67 | A$ 11$7.33 | Darwin โ9% |
| Scooter rentalper day | A$ 30$20 | A$ 35$23.3 | Darwin โ14% |
| Hotel night3-star | A$ 160$107 | A$ 190$127 | Darwin โ16% |
| Studio rent (month) | A$ 1,800$1,200 | A$ 2,500$1,667 | Darwin โ28% |
| Laundry | A$ 10$6.67 | A$ 5.5$3.67 | Perth โ45% |
| SIM card1 week data | A$ 30$20 | A$ 17$11.3 | Perth โ43% |
| Haircutcut | A$ 30$20 | A$ 40$26.7 | Darwin โ25% |
| Massage1 hour | A$ 85$56.7 | A$ 90$60 | Darwin โ6% |
| Half-day tourper person | A$ 120$80 | A$ 120$80 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | A$ 48$32 | A$ 37$24.7 | Perth โ23% |
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, Darwin or Perth?
Darwin is 15% cheaper than Perth. Daily budget $215 vs $256; a month $4,900 vs $5,718.
Which is easier to travel, Darwin or Perth?
Perth is easier: Perth 1.4/5 vs Darwin 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Darwin and Perth?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Darwin is about $4,900 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.