7 Cheapest City in Australia to Live, Won’t Make You Go Broke

The living cost in Australia varies significantly between lively metropolitan areas and sleepy small towns, offering different rent, food, and real estate prices. Knowing those differences might give information on where to go for the best balance between spending and lifestyle. Below is the cheapest city in Australia to live along with six others.

Related: Cheap Australian House? These 7 Places are Where to Live

Hobart, Tasmania

Hobart provides a combination of natural beauty and affordability. Rental costs are still significantly lower than in other major Australian cities. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre will likely cost you between $400 and $500 a week, while prices outside the centre will likely cost you between $300 and $400 per week. 

A weekly grocery for one person usually costs between $70 and $100, and a meal at a cheap restaurant costs an average of $15 to $20. With a median home price of about $600,000, purchasing real estate is more affordable compared in larger cities. With that, the entire cost of living in Hobart is between $470 to $600 per week.

Adelaide, South Australia

Adelaide is well-known for its relaxed culture and reasonable prices. One-bedroom apartments in the city centre rent for about $350-$450 per week, while apartments outside the centre rent for about $250-$350 per week. These rental prices are cheaper than those in Sydney and Melbourne.

Food costs are reasonable as well with a weekly grocery spending for one person often runs between $70-$90, and eating out at a budget restaurant costs between $15 and $25 per meal, making the total cost of living comes at roughly $420 to $540.

Moreover, Adelaide is a more cost-effective choice for property buyers looking for a capital city because its median house price is about $550,000.

Darwin, Northern Territory

Darwin provides a unique lifestyle at a premium price for renters, even with its distant location. For a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre, it costs between $450 to $550 a week, while outside of the city centre, the cost are between $350 and $450. 

A budget lunch out costs $20–30, and a weekly grocery spend per person averages at around $80-$110. The increased expense of living in this tropical metropolis is reflected in the median house price, which is roughly $600,000. As a result, the cost of living in Darwin is between $530 to $660 per week.

Armadale, Western Australia

Compared to the city centre, Armadale, a suburb of Perth, offers more reasonably priced housing options. One-bedroom apartments can be rented for $250–$350 per week, while houses can be rented at roughly $350–$450 per week. The cost of living in Armadale is between $320 to $440 per week.

Perth’s suburban areas have typical food spending. Eating out costs $15–$25 each meal, while weekly groceries cost $70-$90 per person. With a median home price of about $300,000, Armadale is a desirable choice for anyone searching for more reasonably priced housing in the Perth metropolitan area.

Wyndham Vale, Victoria

Compared to central Melbourne, Wyndham Vale offers a suburban lifestyle with reasonably priced houses. Houses usually lease for $400-$500 per week, while one-bedroom apartments typically cost between $300 to $400 per week, making the weekly living expenses in this city ranges from $370 to $490.

Food costs are comparable to those in other Melbourne suburbs. Weekly shopping average $70-$90 per person, while eating out costs roughly $15–$25 per meal. With a median home price of roughly $500,000, Wyndham Vale offers a more affordable choice for those wishing to live close to Melbourne for their commute.

Maitland, New South Wales

Located in the Hunter Region, Maitland offers reasonably priced housing with a touch of the local style. One-bedroom apartments normally lease for $200 to $300 per week, while houses typically rent for $300 to $400 per week. 

The cost of living in Maitland is between $270 to $390 per week as eating out costs $15 to $25 each meal, and a weekly grocery spend per person averages $70-$90. With a median home price of approximately $500,000, Maitland presents an appealing choice for individuals seeking to purchase a regional residence near Sydney and Newcastle.

Charleville, Queensland

Among the cheapest city in Australia to live, Charleville offers a small-town living in Queensland’s outback. Houses typically lease for $200–$300 per week, and one-bedroom apartments typically cost $150 to $250 per week. Rental prices are relatively reasonable. 

Food is fairly inexpensive, yet some foods and certain items might be limited. Weekly shopping cost an average of $60-$80 per person, and dining out at an affordable restaurant cost between $10–$20 every meal, making the total cost of living each week between $210 and $330.

The cost of living varies across Australian towns and cities due to variations in food costs, rental rates, and general affordability. To make an informed selection when relocating or settling in any of these places, it is critical to take into account personal preferences, employment prospects, and total cost of living in the cheapest city in Australia to live.