Cost of Living in Perth
Australia
Comfortable budget (single)
$3,897/month
Range $2,462–$3,897/month
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Perth?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Daily costs at a glance
Typical prices you'll pay in Perth for everyday essentials.
Coffee
$5
flat white at cafe
Beer
$7.5
pint at pub
Lunch
$21
meal at inexpensive restaurant
Groceries
$490
single-person monthly groceries
Transport
$108
monthly pass
Gym
$52
monthly membership
Full cost breakdown
Colors show how each category compares to the global average of our 100 tracked cities.
| Category | USD/month | vs global |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $1,846–$2,872 | ↑ +17% |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $974–$1,538 | ↑ +17% |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $77–$149 | ↑ +16% |
| Internet & Mobile | $31–$51 | ↑ +17% |
| Groceries (monthly) | $390–$585 | ↑ +17% |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $51–$92 | ↑ +15% |
| Coffee | $4–$6 | ↑ +25% |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $97–$118 | ↑ +17% |
| Gym membership | $36–$67 | ↑ +17% |
| Cinema ticket | $14–$18 | ↑ +14% |
Housing market
Rent vs buy snapshot for Perth — useful if you're comparing long-term relocation options.
Rent (1-bed center)
$1,846–$2,872/mo
Buy center (per m²)
$15,040
Buy outside (per m²)
$8,270
Price-to-rent ratio
24×
Avg mortgage rate
6.3%
💰 Mortgage estimate: a 60 m² apartment in Perth center at ~$15,040/m² with a 25y loan at 6.3% would cost roughly $5,981/month — compare that to the rent range above.
Local salaries (monthly net, USD)
Typical take-home in Perth. A green badge means the salary covers at least 2.5× the max rent for a 1-bed in the center.
| Role | Monthly net | Covers rent? |
|---|---|---|
| Average net salary | $3,950 | ❌ No |
| Software engineer (mid) | $4,600 | ❌ No |
| Marketing manager | $4,100 | ❌ No |
| Teacher (secondary) | $3,450 | ❌ No |
| Nurse (RN) | $3,650 | ❌ No |
Local insider tips
Practical ways to cut costs that actually work in Perth.
Utilise a SmartRider card for cost-effective travel on Transperth buses, trains, and ferries throughout the city.
Shop for fresh produce and artisan goods at the Fremantle Markets on weekends to find unique items and potentially save on groceries.
Discover affordable and diverse dining options along William Street in Northbridge, known for its Asian eateries and lively atmosphere.
Budget scenarios
Single
$2,462–$3,897/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,872/mo
- Groceries: ~$585/mo
- Transport: ~$118/mo
Couple
$3,897–$5,949/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,872/mo
- Groceries: ~$585/mo
- Transport: ~$118/mo
Family
$5,641–$8,718/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,872/mo
- Groceries: ~$585/mo
- Transport: ~$118/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Perth Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,308–$3,590/mo
Perth Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,031–$3,159/mo
Perth Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,477–$2,298/mo
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • Mining wealth
- • Beaches
- • Sun
❌ Cons
- • Isolation
- • Flies
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Similar cities
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.