Moving to Melbourne? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Melbourne is frequently voted as one of the most desirable cities to live in. Situated in the southeastern state of Victoria, Melbourne is a popular spot for tourists and residents alike for its vibrant culture.

If you are considering moving to Melbourne, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved if you decide to join the Melburnians enjoying their coffee at a leisurely pace.

Quick Melbourne Facts:

Population: 2,875 million (2023 estimate).
Official Language: English (de facto) with 251 languages being spoken around the city, including Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Greek, Italian, Filipino, Hindi, Korean and many others.
GDP Per Capita: $68,800 USD (2018)
Other names: Melbourne was known by a variety of other names before gaining it’s current name. Previous names include Batmania, Barebrass, Bearport, Dutergalla, Bareheep, and The Settlement. The city also has an Indigenous name, Naarm, which means ‘place’ in Woiwurrung.
Currency: Australian Dollar ($, AUD). As of 2024, £1 = $1.94 AUD, $1 USD = $1.46 AUD, €1 EUR = $1.62 AUD, $1 CAD = $1.08 AUD.

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Melbourne

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from a selection of the largest cities around the world, and shipping it to the city that locals fondly call ‘Melbs’:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Beijing	$3,250 - $3,350	$6,000 - $6,200
Berlin	$2,750 - $2,850	$5,000 - $5,200
Chicago	$2,500 - $2,600	$4,400 - $4,600
Chongqing	$3,050 - $3,150	$5,600 - $5,800
Delhi	$3,000 - $3,100	$5,500 - $5,700
Dubai	$3,300 - $3,400	$6,100 - $6,300
Houston	$2,650 - $2,750	$4,800 - $5,000
Los Angeles	$2,450 - $2,550	$4,300 - $4,500
Madrid	$2,800 - $2,900	$5,100 - $5,300
New York City	$2,400 - $2,500	$4,200 - $4,400
Paris	$2,850 - $2,950	$5,200 - $5,400
Phoenix	$2,550 - $2,650	$4,500 - $4,700
Rome	$2,800 - $2,900	$5,100 - $5,300
Shanghai	$3,100 - $3,200	$5,700 - $5,900
Sydney	$3,350 - $3,450	$6,200 - $6,400
Toronto	$2,600 - $2,700	$4,700 - $4,900
Vancouver	$2,650 - $2,750	$4,800 - $5,000
Vienna	$2,900 - $3,000	$5,300 - $5,500

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (September 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, Flexport, or Maersk;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. Melbourne Housing Costs

Renting or buying a house in Melbourne isn’t cheap, but it is far more affordable than renting or buying in Sydney. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.

Monthly Rental Prices in Melbourne:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: A$2,150+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: A$1,720+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: A$3,925+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: A$2,675+

Melbourne Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: A$10,700+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: A$9,900+

Melbourne Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Melbourne compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 41.8% more expensive
New York is 60.1% more expensive
Los Angeles is 45.6% more expensive
Sydney is 29.1% more expensive
Toronto is 18.1% cheaper
Paris is 9.3% more expensive
Dubai is 16.6% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Many people comment that finding rentals in Melbourne is hard. The minute they go on the market, they are snapped up. Being first in the queue at the Saturday showings is the way to bag a flat, whether you are the sole tenant or sharing. With a house share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. The bathroom/s will be shared with other people in the house. Most people find that Domain is the best place to find rentals but there are also Flatmates, Gumtree and Flatshare.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Like all cities, Melbourne has its expensive and cheaper areas. If you enjoy living in upmarket, stunning apartments then choose Docklands. It’s a new suburb which is attracting young professionals who want to live close to the CBD. Port Melbourne is another upmarket area which is for apartment living. Most of the apartments have views over the bay. Sandringham is 10 miles from the CBD and is one of the most expensive areas with large Victorian houses sitting on big plots. The most expensive suburb is Brighton which sits on the beach and is home to many sporting celebrities. Altona and Williamstown are much cheaper seaside suburbs. Brunswick, Richmond and Yarraville are considered the hip and trendy areas of Melbourne and all three are known for their restaurants and café culture.

3. Melbourne Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Some of the best restaurants in the world are to be found in Melbourne.

Inexpensive Restaurant: A$20.00 – A$25.00
Takeout Coffee: A$5.00 – A$5.50
Bottle of Coke: A$3.90 – A$4.00
1L of Milk: A$2.30 – A$2.50
Loaf of Bread: A$3.50 – A$4.00
12 Eggs: A$5.50 – A$6.50
1kg Chicken: A$13.00 – A$15.00
1kg Beef: A$25.00 – A$26.00
1kg Apples: A$4.80 – A$5.00
1kg White Rice: A$3.50 – A$4.00

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

New York restaurants are 25.3% more expensive and groceries are 21% more expensive than Melbourne.
Los Angeles restaurants are 17.4% more expensive and groceries are 2.8% cheaper than Melbourne.
London restaurants are 7.8% more expensive and groceries are 39.4% cheaper than Melbourne.
Sydney restaurants are 1.5% more expensive and groceries are 1.5% cheaper than Melbourne.
Toronto restaurants are 0.3% cheaper and groceries are 15.6% cheaper than Melbourne.
Paris restaurants are 3.2% cheaper and groceries are 3.4% cheaper than Melbourne.
Dubai restaurants are 4.8% cheaper and groceries are 61.3% cheaper than Melbourne.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Melbourne has excellent restaurants serving award-winning food, sadly the majority of their major supermarkets don’t reflect this. If you are moving to Melbourne, be prepared to be disappointed at the quality and selection of food in the supermarkets. Coles, Woolworths and Harris Farm Market are the major supermarket chains in Melbourne. On a positive note, there are some good food shops around the city, selling good quality food, including organic and whole foods. Passion Foods, Spring Street Grocer and Aunt Maggie’s Organics. There are also some good independent old-fashioned grocers that sell excellent, if expensive, produce. Enjoy Carlton Farmers Market, Gasworks Farmers Market and Colinwood Farmers Market.
Find Cheap Eats: Timeout, Good Food, Chug and Broadsheet all have their own guides to cheap eats in Melbourne, which include everything from fine dining to raw food.

4. Melbourne Alcohol Costs

Melbourne has bars and clubs to suit everyone’s taste and pocket.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: A$12.00– A$15.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: A$10.00 – A$12.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: A$6.80 – A$9.00
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: A$7.10 – A$8.00
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: A$20.00 – A$25.00

How To Drink For Less in Melbourne:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials.
There are many pubs, bars and clubs that offer specials every day. Have a look at the following sites to find one which takes your fancy – Four Square, The Happiest Hour, Eat Drink Cheap and Timeout.
Scour the areas around the universities to find the best alcohol deals.

5. Melbourne Transportation Fares

Melbourne’s train, trams and bus network is run by Public Transport Victoria. Most people use the trams for getting around the city. The free Circle Tram Line goes around the CBD and Docklands.

Here are some example ticket costs.

Adult single – A$4.60
Weekly season ticket for bus, rail and tram – A$41
Monthly season ticket for bus, tram and train – A$162
Annual season ticket – A$1,559

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a myki Explorer for A$15 which gives you one day’s travel and discounts on various attractions around the city.
Buy a myki card and enjoy various discounts depending on the route and the number of journeys you make.
Buy a bike. Melbourne considers itself a bike-friendly city and there are lots of cycle lanes. There is even a bike share system.
Walk. If you live close to your place of work, then walk to work and enjoy a coffee on the way.

6. Cost of Internet in Melbourne

Internet in Australia is expensive. Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023, based on a 24-month contract:

Dodo: A$55.00 a month for 15Mbps
Telstra: A$80.00 a month for 25Mbps
Optus: A$80.00 a month for unlimited data

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Melbourne has great summers but its winters are rather cold and wet. January is the hottest month with an average high of 21°C. The coldest month is July with an average high of 10°C. The wettest month is May with an average of 68mm of rain falling. Note the coldest temperature ever recorded in Melbourne was in 1869 when the mercury fell to -2.8°C. At the other end of the spectrum, the highest temperature recorded was 46.4°C in 2009.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: A$120 – A$130
Summer Dress: A$80 – A$120
Running Shoes (Trainers): A$170 – A$180
Business Shoes: A$190 – $200
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): A$75
Deodorant: A$6
Shampoo: A$6.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): A$4
Gym Membership: A$70 – A$120 per month
Movie (cinema) Ticket: A$23.00

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Melbourne

Everyone in Australia drives on the left. Traffic in Melbourne doesn’t get as congested as in other major cities in the world. However, parking is limited and expensive.

If you’re moving to Melbourne from Australia or from New Zealand, you’ll be able to use your existing license for 90 days and then you will need to get a Victoria license.

If you are relocating to Melbourne from another country and you are on a temporary visa you can drive on your overseas license for the duration of your stay. If you are on a permanent visa, then you can drive on your overseas license for 6 months, then you need to get a Victoria license. You may need to take a written test and a driving test before you can be issued a license. This depends on a number of factors such as how long you have been driving and the nationality of your license.

You can also get an International Driving Permit before you leave your home country and this will allow you to drive in Australia for 12 months.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Melbourne:

Volkswagen Golf: A$35,000+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): A$2.12
Vehicle Registration Tax: A$787.40 annual payment in the city.
Other Fees (if any): See VicRoads

Source: Expatistan, Victoria Roads

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Melbourne:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Carpoolworld, Go Get and Shareurride.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber.

9. Taxes in Melbourne

No matter where you live in Australia, you will pay the same rate of tax. To learn more about the different taxes in Australia, go to this site – the Australian Taxation Office.

Sales Tax in Australia is 10% and is added to most goods and services throughout the country. Unlike in some countries, it is always included in the marked price.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to the payment of rates based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Learn more about rates in Melbourne at the City of Melbourne.

If you decide to buy a flat or house in Melbourne you’ll have to pay stamp duty. Note that first-time buyers are exempt from stamp duty for properties under A$600,000.

10. Flight Costs from Melbourne

If you do make the move to Melbourne, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:

New York: A$800
Los Angeles: A$900
Toronto: A$900
Vancouver: A$960
Dubai: A$600
London: A$950
Sydney: A$70
Cape Town: A$1,500
Hong Kong: A$320

Other Tips on Moving to Melbourne:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Melbourne but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Melbourne Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Melbourne.

Meetups: Melbourne has lots of free meetup groups you can find on Meetup. Find groups such as Melbourne Board Games, Startups, Melbourne Cycling, Newbies International and more.
Attend Local Events: There’s always a lot going on in Melbourne. Find out what’s going on from Timeout, Trip Advisor and Experience OZ.

12. Moving to Melbourne with a Family

Melbourne has so much to offer families. It has an excellent education system, and a wide selection of neighbourhoods which are family-friendly, plus a beach, parks, countryside, museums and the arts.

New Parents (or parents to be): Check out Babes on Board, Birth Well, Birth Right and Parent Prep.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Hawthorn is a leafy suburb just 4 miles from the CBD. It has a variety of housing, from Victoria homes to modern flats. Sandringham is another leafy suburb which sits on the bay. It’s very upmarket with lots of Victorian houses on large plots. The area has excellent schools, restaurants and shops. Coburg is an affordable up-and-coming area with Edwardian and Victorian homes and apartments. It’s a multicultural suburb with a host of European and Middle Eastern shops and restaurants. Williamstown is an affordable seaside suburb with a holiday atmosphere. Brighton is an expensive, upmarket seaside suburb with excellent schools and home to many sporting celebrities.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: Timeout, Family Days Out, Melbourne Playgrounds and Family Travel Scoop all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.

13. Moving to Melbourne for Work

People move to Melbourne for work or to join family. If you want to work in Australia, you need to ensure you have the right visa. Visa conditions are changing in March 2018, making it more difficult for people to live and work in Australia.

Melbourne is growing very quickly and many multinationals are making the city their home. Melbourne is the tech capital of Australia. Employment opportunities abound, especially in education, hospitality and tourism, healthcare and the arts and culture sphere.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries in Melbourne are high which offsets the high cost of living. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
How to Find Work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to Melbourne, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Indeed, Seek, Career One, Adzuna and APS Jobs. Live in Victoria is a useful site, giving you information on looking for work before and after you arrive in Melbourne. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Melbourne from the United Kingdom

Melbourne is full of Brits. Many have been there for generations and many arrive every year in the hope of finding a new life Downunder. If you are thinking of joining them, here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Melbourne with a city in the UK, you would be looking at a city 4 times the size of Birmingham or a city half the size of London.
Join Expat Groups: Meetup, Internations and Anglo Info offer ways of meeting up with other Brits in Melbourne.

15. Moving to Melbourne from Canada

There are lots of Canadians living in Melbourne. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: If you compare the size of the population of Melbourne with a city in Canada, then you would be looking at Toronto.
Expat Groups: If you want to find fellow Canadians in Melbourne, have a look at Internations, Expatsblog and Meetup.

16. Moving to Melbourne from the United States

There are a fair number of Americans living in Melbourne. If you’re considering making the move from the States to Melbourne, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Melbourne with a city in the States, you would be looking at a city which is a larger version of Los Angeles.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Americans who have been living in Melbourne for a while can greatly assist the integration process. Sites such as Meetup, Internations and Expats Blog will help you connect with people from back home.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Melbourne you can start by comparing moving quotes here.