Melbourne vs London Cost of Living

Melbourne (Australia) · Overall index 65.3London (United Kingdom) · Overall index 83.4

Summary

  • Overall, London is 28% more expensive than Melbourne.
  • Rent in London is 73% more expensive than in Melbourne.
  • Transport in London is 20% more expensive than in Melbourne.
ItemMelbourneLondonDiff
Rent+73%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,062$2,992+45%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,117$2,223+99%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$3,536$6,498+84%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$2,437$4,097+68%
Groceries+18%
Milk (1L)$0.97$1.21+25%
White bread (500g)$3.2$4.07+27%
Rice (1kg)$3.75$4.67+25%
Eggs (12)$3.69$4.37+18%
Local cheese (1kg)$10.3$14.3+39%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$10.3$11+7%
Beef round (1kg)$15.1$17.4+15%
Apples (1kg)$4.14$5.26+27%
Bananas (1kg)$1.56$1.98+27%
Oranges (1kg)$4.16$4.45+7%
Tomatoes (1kg)$5.03$5.8+15%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.75$2.72-1%
Onions (1kg)$2.45$2.83+16%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.98$2.51+27%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2.08$2.52+21%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$13.8$15.9+15%
Transport+20%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.9$2.53+33%
Public transport, monthly pass$93$113+22%
Taxi, base fare$2.96$3.64+23%
Taxi, per km$1.32$1.7+29%
Gasoline (1L)$0.76$0.78+3%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$19,348$22,721+17%
Dining out+17%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$17$21.7+28%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$92.3$106+15%
Fast food combo meal$9.69$9.63-1%
Cappuccino$4.01$4.39+9%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.91$2.43+27%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$5.35$7.39+38%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$6.13$7.95+30%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.8$1.76-2%
Telecom+7%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$47.6$51.7+9%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$60.5$63.5+5%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.3$0.33+10%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$13.5$14.4+7%
Utilities & household+12%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$155$1550%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.19$0.22+16%
Tap water (1m³)$4.24$4.47+5%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.3$1.5+15%
Waste collection (monthly)$19.4$20.8+7%
Fitness club (monthly)$74.6$85.7+15%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$13.5$16+19%
Men's haircut$24.3$27+11%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$18.5$24+30%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,717$1,856+8%

3,243 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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