Moving to Perth? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Perth sits on the West Coast of Australia and is listed as the 12th best city to live in as of the 2023’s Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index. With beautiful beaches, pleasant weather and a friendly population, Perth is widely seen as a lovely place to live.

If you are considering moving to Perth, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved if you decide to move to the City of Light.

Quick Perth Facts:

Population: 2.1 million (2020 estimate)
Official Language: English (de facto) with many more languages being spoken, including Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Greek, Italian, Filipino, Hindi, Spanish, Korean and many others.
GDP Per Capita: $72,800 USD (2020)
Isolated: Perth is known as the City of Light after the residents turned on their lights to illuminate the land while astronaut John Glenn orbited earth in 1962.
Currency: Australian Dollar ($, 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 Perth

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from various cities around the world, and shipping it to sunny Perth:

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

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. Perth Housing Costs

Housing in Perth is much more affordable than housing in Sydney and Melbourne. The majority of property available is detached housing, however, like most cities, the closer you get to the CBD, the main type of property changes to apartments. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.

Monthly Rental Prices in Perth:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: A$2,300+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: A$1,770+
3 bedroom flat in City Centre: A$3,700+
3 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: A$2,600+

Perth Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: A$9,400+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: A$7,700+

Perth Housing Cost Comparison:

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

London is 41.4% more expensive
New York is 59.9% more expensive
Los Angeles is 45.3% more expensive
Sydney is 28.6% more expensive
Melbourne is 0.6% cheaper
Toronto is 17.7% more expensive
Paris is 8.7% more expensive
Dubai is 16.1% more expensive

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Perth’s mining booms means that many people are flocking to this rapidly expanding city. Although there’s a lot of building happening, it’s not keeping up with the influx of immigrants, so housing is in short supply. 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. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect roommate – Flatmatefinders, Flat Mates, Gumtree, Spare Room and Share Houses.
Different Areas – Different Prices: The road system in Perth works well which means that even if you live a distance from the CBD, you won’t spend hours sitting in traffic. This fact obviously widens your choice of areas in which to live. Areas recommended for professionals include Cottesloe, Nedlands, Peppermint Grove (very upmarket), Swanbourne and Mount Claremont (upmarket). If you like to live at the beach consider the following suburbs, Scarborough, Ocean Reef, Port Kennedy, Secret Harbour and North Beach. Trendy areas, either in the CBD or close to it, include Northbridge, Mount Lawley and Leederville. Yanchep is an area which is being revitalised and is close to the beach and affordable. Lathlain is another affordable area which has undergone a recent upgrade.

3. Perth Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Perth has a good array of restaurants and food shops.

Inexpensive Restaurant: A$25.00 – A$30.00
Takeout Coffee: A$5.30 – A$5.40
Bottle of Coke: A$4.00 – A$4.20
1L of Milk: A$2.50 – A$2.80
Loaf of Bread: A$3.20 – A$4.00
12 Eggs: A$6.40 – A$6.50
1kg Chicken: A$13.00 – A$15.00
1kg Beef: A$22.00 – A$25.00
1kg Apples: A$5.20 – A$6.00
1kg White Rice: A$3.20 – A$5.00

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

New York restaurants are 24.2% more expensive and groceries are 25.9% more expensive than Perth.
Los Angeles restaurants are 16.2% more expensive and groceries are 3.6% more expensive than Perth.
London restaurants are 6.4% more expensive and groceries are 30.8% cheaper than Perth.
Sydney restaurants are 0.1% more expensive and groceries are 4.8% more expensive than Perth.
Melbourne restaurants are 1.5% cheaper and groceries are 6.2% cheaper than Perth.
Toronto restaurants are 1.2% cheaper and groceries are 8.5% cheaper than Perth.
Paris restaurants are 4.7% cheaper and groceries are 3% more expensive than Perth.
Dubai restaurants are 6.4% cheaper and groceries are 51.4% cheaper than Perth.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Coles, Woolworths and Harris Farm Markets are the major supermarket chains in Sydney. There are some good health shops around the city, selling organic and whole foods for the ever increasing vegetarian and vegan population. There are also some good independent old-fashioned grocers that sell excellent, if expensive, produce. Perth is a city which is full of markets. Every suburb seems to host one at least one day a week. Have a look at Weekend Notes for some of the best.
Find Cheap Eats: The Urban List, Trip Advisor, Facebook – Eat Cheap Perth and Dimmi all have their own guides to cheap eats in Perth, which include everything from Chinese takeaways to fine dining.

4. Perth Alcohol Costs

There are bars, pubs and clubs to suit everyone’s taste and pocket.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: A$11.00 – A$12.00
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: A$12.00 – A$13.00
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: A$6.80 – A$9.00
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: A$7.70 – A$9.00
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: A$18.00 – A$20.00

How To Drink For Less in Perth:

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 – The Happiest Hour, The Urban List, Perth Now, Yelp and True Local.
Scour the areas around the universities to find the best alcohol deals.

5. Perth Transportation Fares

Perth’s transportation system consists of a network of buses, trains and ferries run by Transperth. Transperth operates free bus services around the CBD, mostly during daylight hours but, on Fridays and Saturdays, they run until midnight.

Here are some example ticket costs.

Adult single – A$4
One day ticket for all transport (travel after 9.00 a.m.) – A$12.40
Monthly season ticket for bus, light rail, ferry and train – A$150

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a family 24-hour ticket (up to 7 passengers) – A$12.50
Buy a Smartrider for discounted tickets
Buy a bike. Perth is a cycle-friendly city with dedicated cycle lanes.
Walk. If you live close to where you work, then walking is certainly an option.

6. Cost of Internet in Perth

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

The average summer high in Perth is 25°C. Relief from the heat usually comes in the afternoon, when ‘the Freemantle Doctor’ blows through. July is the coldest month with an average temperature of 13°C. Perth’s wettest month is June, when an average of 140mm of rain falls.

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

Pair of Jeans: A$120 – A$150
Summer Dress: A$90 – A$120
Running Shoes (Trainers): A$180 – A$200
Business Shoes: A$220 – $240
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): A$70
Deodorant: A$5.50
Shampoo: A$6.00
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): A$3.00
Gym Membership: A$70 – A$100 per month
Movie (cinema) Ticket: A$22.25

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

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

Everyone in Australia drives on the left. Traffic in Perth is very congested during peak periods which is why most people choose to travel by public transport. Expensive and limited parking is also another reason not to drive to work in Perth.

If you’re moving to Perth from within Australia, you’ll be able to use your existing license for three months and then you will need to get a Western Australian license.

If you are relocating to Perth from another country, you can drive on your existing license for three months and then you will need to replace it with a Western Australian 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 Perth:

Volkswagen Golf: A$35,000
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): A$1.93
Motor Vehicle Duty: The cost is calculated on the value of the vehicle.
Other Fees (if any): a Vehicle License Fee is payable and is calculated on the weight of the vehicle.

Source: Expatistan, WA.Gov

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Perth:

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

9. Taxes in Perth

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 Perth at the City of Perth.

If you decide to buy a flat or house in Perth you’ll have to pay stamp duty.

10. Flight Costs from Perth

If you do make the move to Perth, 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$1,297
Los Angeles: A$870
Toronto: A$2,000
Vancouver: A$1,398
Dubai: A$840
London: A$1,300
Sydney: A$327
Melbourne: A$295
Cape Town: A$997
Hong Kong: A$300

Other Tips on Moving to Perth:

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

11. Moving to Perth 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 in Perth.

Meetups: Perth has lots of free Meetup groups you can join. Find groups such as Bars, Pubs and Clubs, Morning Startup, Perth Hikers, Perth Food Loves and many more.
Attend Local Events: There’s always a lot going on in Perth. Find out what’s going on from Weekend Notes, Timeout and Experience Perth.

12. Moving to Perth with a Family

Perth has a lot to offer families. It has good schools and universities, a wide selection of neighbourhoods which are family-friendly, plus the beach, parks, countryside, good food and restaurants, museums and the arts.

New Parents (or parents to be): Check out Glengarry Private.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Perth is frequently described as the friendliest city and the best place to bring up children in Australia. It has many suburbs to choose from and many excellent schools dotted around the city. Cottesloe is a pretty beachside suburb with good schools, parks and all amenities close by. A more affordable area is Daniella which is ideal for young families and has a strong community spirit. A more expensive option is Floreat, with its beach, schools, parks, shops and restaurants. Victoria Park, Applecross and Rivervale are all worth looking at for happy family living.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: Buggy Buddies, Kids Around Perth, Experience Perth and Family Days Out all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.

13. Moving to Perth for Work

People move to Perth for work or to join family. If you want to work in Australia, you need to ensure you have the right visa. Visa conditions have recently changed, making it more difficult for people to live and work in Australia.

Many people in Perth are drawn by the oil and gas industry, and mining in general. There are jobs available in most sectors, including education, health, hospitality and tourism, retail, finance and IT.

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

Salary: Salaries in Perth are relatively 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 Perth, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Indeed and Seek. 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 Perth from the United Kingdom

Perth 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 Perth with a city in the UK, you would be looking at a city almost twice the size of Birmingham.
Expat Groups: Meetup, Internations and Perth Poms offer ways of meeting up with other Brits in Perth.

15. Moving to Perth from Canada

There’s a large group of Canadians living in Perth. 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 Perth with a city in Canada, then you would be looking at Vancouver.
Expat Groups: If you want to find fellow Canadians in Perth, have a look at Internations and Expat.com.

16. Moving to Perth from the United States

There’s a large group of Americans living in Perth. If you’re considering making the move from the States to Perth, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of Perth with a city in the States, you would be looking at a city which is 15% smaller than Chicago.
Expat Groups: Meeting up with fellow Americans who have been living in Perth for a while can greatly assist the integration process. Sites such as Internations 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 Perth you can start by comparing moving quotes here.