Top 5 Most Expensive Cities
| Rank | City | Hourly Wage Needed to Live Comfortably | Yearly Wage Needed to Live Comfortably |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney | $31.73 | $59,976 |
| 2 | Canberra | $26.98 | $51,000 |
| 3 | Brisbane | $26.50 | $50,088 |
| 4 | Melbourne | $25.46 | $48,120 |
| 4 | Perth | $25.46 | $48,120 |
As you move down the list, cities like Hobart, Cairns, and Warrnambool show that while still expensive, their cost of living is more manageable. Hobart, requiring $41,928 annually, while Cairns and Warrnambool are similarly priced, at $40,436 and $40,416 respectively, make it easier to enjoy the finer things without the hefty price tag of the major capitals.
Middle of the List: Median Cost Cities
| Rank | City | Hourly Wage Needed to Live Comfortably | Yearly Wage Needed to Live Comfortably |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Hobart | $22.18 | $41,928 |
| 14 | Cairns | $21.39 | $40,436 |
| 15 | Warrnambool | $21.38 | $40,416 |
| 16 | Townsville | $20.62 | $38,976 |
| 17 | Launceston | $20.20 | $38,184 |
For those looking to live comfortably on a budget, cities like Bendigo, Bundaberg, and Ballarat offer affordable living options. Bendigo is the most affordable city, with a required annual salary of just $30,276, a far cry from the major cities at the top of the list. Bundaberg follows closely with $33,176, while Ballarat requires $34,296 a year.
The 5 Most Affordable Cities
| Rank | City | Hourly Wage Needed to Live Comfortably | Yearly Wage Needed to Live Comfortably |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Bendigo | $16.02 | $30,276 |
| 29 | Bundaberg | $17.55 | $33,176 |
| 28 | Ballarat | $18.15 | $34,296 |
| 27 | Dubbo | $18.46 | $34,896 |
| 26 | Mackay | $18.66 | $35,276 |
Methodology
The study analysed public data (StudyAustralia and Numbeo) to determine the minimum income needed for a comfortable lifestyle for single individuals across Australia. The study considered housing, food, transportation, taxes, healthcare, utilities, and other essential expenses. The states were then ranked from most to least expensive places for a single person to live comfortably.
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Full Ranking List of Top 30 Cities
| Rank | City | Hourly Wage Needed to Live Comfortably | Yearly Wage Needed to Live Comfortably |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney | $31.73 | $59,976 |
| 2 | Canberra | $26.98 | $51,000 |
| 3 | Brisbane | $26.50 | $50,088 |
| 4 | Melbourne | $25.46 | $48,120 |
| 4 | Perth | $25.46 | $48,120 |
| 6 | Darwin | $25.31 | $47,832 |
| 7 | Adelaide | $24.77 | $46,824 |
| 8 | Geelong | $24.30 | $45,922 |
| 9 | Newcastle | $24.05 | $45,456 |
| 10 | Caloundra | $23.92 | $45,216 |
| 11 | Gold Coast | $22.74 | $42,972 |
| 12 | Coffs Harbour | $22.46 | $42,456 |
| 13 | Hobart | $22.18 | $41,928 |
| 14 | Cairns | $21.39 | $40,436 |
| 15 | Warrnambool | $21.38 | $40,416 |
| 16 | Townsville | $20.62 | $38,976 |
| 17 | Launceston | $20.20 | $38,184 |
| 18 | Hervey Bay | $19.99 | $37,776 |
| 19 | Wollongong | $19.81 | $37,436 |
| 20 | Queanbeyan | $19.73 | $37,296 |
| 21 | Shepparton | $19.51 | $36,876 |
| 22 | Port Macquarie | $19.48 | $36,816 |
| 23 | Toowoomba | $19.35 | $36,576 |
| 24 | Ipswich | $19.16 | $36,216 |
| 25 | Bunbury | $18.72 | $35,376 |
| 26 | Mackay | $18.66 | $35,276 |
| 27 | Dubbo | $18.46 | $34,896 |
| 28 | Ballarat | $18.15 | $34,296 |
| 29 | Bundaberg | $17.55 | $33,176 |
| 30 | Bendigo | $16.02 | $30,276 |
