One of the significant aspects that moving to a new country entails is your budget. A cost of living analysis is the surest way of getting the numbers right. If you’re wondering what this entails, you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog, we have broken down every aspect of living costs to provide you with a realistic comparison of the cost of living in Australia vs the UK.
General Cost Overview
There are several aspects to consider when comparing the cost of living between two countries. This general overview will give you an idea of the factors involved.
| Item | Australia (AUD) | UK (GBP) |
| International Tuition Fees (Bachelors) | 20,000 to 45,000 per month | £ 11,400 to 38,000 per year |
| International Tuition Fees (Masters) | 22,000 to 50,000 $ per year | £ 9,000 to 30,000 per year |
| Student Halls | 440 to 1,100 $ per month | £ 400 to 600 per month |
| Private Lets (One-bedroom apartment) | 1,800 to 2,300 $ per month | £ 610 to 740 per month |
| Utilities (Gas, Water, Electricity, Internet) | 270 to 320 $ per month | £ 80 to 140 per month (includes TV licence) |
| Groceries | 500 to 1,000 $ per month | £ 460 to 620 per month |
| Public Transport | 30 to 70 $ per month | £ 50 to 100 per month |
Housing in Australia vs UK
Whether you’re seeking accommodation for yourself or your family, housing is a top to consider in your cost of living analysis. Housing prices in the UK and Australia are almost at par, both renowned worldwide for their soaring price tags. But, the latter’s seafront properties, especially along the Gold Coast, are highly sought after!
Renting in Australia vs UK
The decision between renting and buying when moving between countries is a difficult one. Renting is a popular choice, allowing for short-term and spontaneous accommodation options upon arrival.
| Item | Australia (AUD) | UK (GBP) |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | £ 1,200 (2,300 $) | £ 1,100 (2,100 $) |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment outside City Centre | £ 1,000 (1,900 $) | £ 880 (1,700 $) |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | £ 2,000 (3,900 $) | £ 1,800 (3,400 $) |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment outside City Centre | £ 1,500 (2,800 $) | £ 1,300 (2,600 $) |
Buying a House
If you’re eager to set down roots wherever you end up, it’s important to consider costs before getting your hopes up. Your specific location within each country will affect house prices dramatically, so you’ll need to check out local estate agents for more accurate information.
| Item (Price per square metre) | Australia (AUD) | UK (GBP) |
| Apartment in City-Centre | £ 7,000 (13,400 $) | £ 5,200 (10,000 $) |
| Apartment outside City-Centre | £5,400 (10,400 $) | £ 4,000 (7,500 $) |
Utility Bills
| Item | Australia (AUD) | UK (GBP) |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | £ 180 (340 $) | £ 250 (490$) |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | £ 20 (40 $) | £ 10 (20$) |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | £ 40 (90$) | £ 30 (60$) |
Food Prices in Australia vs UK
Australia is around 26% cheaper than the UK in terms of food. The UK’s proximity to Europe cuts down a chunk of shipping costs that are reflected in Australia’s relatively higher food prices.
Consumer prices in Australia have increased by 5.1% since March 2022 following the introduction of GST in 2000.
Grocery Prices
Groceries may not seem important, but it can be valuable to consider your daily costs as well as your larger monthly outgoings when you’re planning a move across the globe. The costs of daily groceries tend to be around the same for both countries, so this shouldn’t deter you from moving to Australia.
| Item | Australia (AUD) | UK (GBP) |
| Milk (regular), (1 litre) | £ 1 (2 $) | £ 1 (2 $) |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | £ 2 (4 $) | £1 (2 $) |
| White Rice, (1kg) | £ 2 (3 $) | £2 (3 $) |
| 12 Eggs | £ 3 (6 $) | £ 3 (6 $) |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | £ 8 (16 $) | £ 7 (13 $) |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | £ 7 (13 $) | £ 7 (12 $) |
| Ground Beef (1kg) | £ 11 (22 $) | £ 10 (20 $) |
| Apples (1kg) | £ 3 (5 $) | £ 2 (4 $) |
| Banana (1kg) | £ 2 (4 $) | £ 1 (2 $) |
| Potato (1kg) | £ 2 (4 $) | £ 1 (2 $) |
| Onion (1kg) | £ 2 (3 $) | £ 1 (2 $) |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | £ 10 (20 $) | £ 7 (14 $) |
Restaurants
Living in a new place shouldn’t mean you never leave the house! We’ve included rough prices for going out to eat in Australia and the UK – note that these can vary incredibly depending on where you are in the country. For example, London will be considerably pricier to eat out than in Manchester.
| Item | Australia (AUD) | UK (GBP) |
| 3-course Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant | £ 78 (150 $) | £ 60 (115 $) |
| McDonald’s McMeal (or Equivalent) | £ 8 (15 $) | £ 7 (13 $) |
| Beer (0.33 litre bottle) | £ 6 (12 $) | £ 4 (8 $) |
| Cappuccino (regular) | £ 3 (5 $) | £ 3 (6 $) |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 litre bottle) | £ 2 (4 $) | £ 2 (3 $) |
| Water (0.33 litre bottle) | £ 2 (3 $) | £ 1 (2 $) |
Transportation Costs in Australia vs UK
Comparative analysis of the cost of living in Australia vs the UK reveals Australia to be relatively cheaper. On average, Aussies pay around £ 0.50 per litre less on petrol than Brits. Car prices are also about 35% cheaper in Australia than in the UK, although this varies by model.
| Item | Australia (AUD) | UK (GBP) |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | £ 3 (5 $) | £ 3 ($ 5) |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | £ 90 (170 $) | £ 70 ( 130 $) |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | £ 3 (6 $) | £ 3 (6 $) |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | £1 (3 $) | £ 1 (2 $) |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | £ 1 (2 $) | £ 1 (3 $) |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | £ 19, 800 (38,000 $) | £ 23,700 (45,500 $) |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | £ 16,700 (32,100 $) | £ 24,300 (46,600 $) |
Childcare Costs
Childcare is an important factor in a cost of living analysis. International schools tend to be slightly more expensive in the UK than in Australia.
| Item | Australia (AUD) | UK (GBP) |
| Full Day at Private Preschool (Monthly) | £ 1,300 (2,400 $) | £ 1,200 (2,400 $) |
| International Primary School (Yearly) | £ 10,300 (19,800 $) | £ 14,300 (27,400 $) |
Recreation Costs
Whether you’re moving to a new country for work or leisure, recreation should be a priority. Both the UK and Australia offer fantastic recreation opportunities, be it sports or culture, although Australia tends to be slightly more expensive.
| Item | Australia (AUD) | UK (GBP) |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | £ 45 (80 $) | £ 30 (60 $) |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | £ 15 (25 $) | £ 10 (20 $) |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | £ 10 (20 $) | £ 10 (20 $) |
Cost of Living in Sydney vs London
There’s no better way to estimate the cost of living in Australia vs the UK than by looking at their most expensive cities. Note that these living costs will vary based on your spending habits and lifestyle choices.
| Item (Price per month) | Sydney, Australia (AUD) | London, UK (GBP) |
| Student Halls | £ 400 (770 $) | £ 850 (1,600 $) |
| Private Lets (One-bedroom apartment) | £ 1400 (2800) | £ 1800 (3,400 $) |
| Utilities (Gas, Water, Electricity, Internet) | £ 180 (350 $) | £ 340 (650 $) |
| Grocery Prices | £ 270 (530 $) | £ 360 (700 $) |
| Public Transport (Monthly Pass) | £ 110 (220 $) | £ 170 (325 $) |
Australian Cities Comparison
To get a realistic estimate of the cost of living in Australia vs the UK, it is imperative to look at the living standards in different Australian cities. This will also help you decide which Australian city might fit your budget.
- Moving to Melbourne requires a minimum of £ 800 (1,500 $) per month.
- Moving to Sydney requires a minimum of £ 1000 (1,900 $) per month.
- Moving to Canberra requires a minimum of £ 730 (1,400 $) per month.
- Moving to Brisbane requires a minimum of £ 730 (1,400 $) per month.
- Moving to Adelaide requires a minimum of £ 700 (1,300 $) per month.
Cost of living is a significant factor to consider when choosing to relocate abroad. Australia tends to have higher living costs compared to the UK. However, it also offers higher salaries giving you greater purchasing power. The cost of living in Australia vs the UK has been broken down in this blog to give an estimate of your relocation costs.
Our specialised services in moving to Australia will make your transition smooth and seamless. Whether you’d like more information on customs clearance or would like to secure insurance, our professional team is ready to assist you with your international move.
(*All prices are approx. as of January 2024)
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