affordwhere

What does your salary buy in Melbourne?

Enter your gross monthly salary to see your take-home pay, affordable neighborhoods, and savings potential

AUD/month

Free calculator with 2026 tax rates. No data stored.

or browse city data below

Cost of Living in Melbourne, Australia

Cultural capital. Arts, coffee culture, major tech scene. Often ranked most liveable.

Currency
AUD ($)
English Level
Excellent
Healthcare
Public (Medicare)

Rental Prices in Melbourne

1-Bedroom Apartment
$1,800 - $2,800
per month
2-Bedroom Apartment
$2,200 - $3,500
per month

* Prices shown are second-hand rental market rates, typical for expats.9 neighborhoods tracked. Source: Official government housing statistics.

Monthly Living Costs

Groceries
$630
Transport
$200
Utilities
$347
Dining Out
$340

Utility costs based on Eurostat Energy Statistics.

Popular Neighborhoods

CBD Melbourne
Melbourne's vibrant center. Hidden laneways, world-class coffee culture, and the arts precinct.
0 min walk•$2,400+/mo
Fitzroy
Melbourne's original hipster neighborhood. Street art, vintage stores, and the famous Brunswick Street bar scene.
10 min tram•$2,200+/mo
St Kilda
Beachside entertainment hub. Luna Park, Acland Street cakes, and sunset views from the pier.
20 min tram•$2,100+/mo
South Yarra
Upscale inner suburb. Chapel Street shopping, Royal Botanic Gardens, and trendy brunch spots.
10 min metro•$2,300+/mo
Brunswick
Multicultural inner north. Sydney Road diversity, live music venues, and affordable creative spaces.
15 min tram•$2,000+/mo
Richmond
Inner east hub with Bridge Road shopping and Vietnamese eateries on Victoria Street. MCG adjacent, great for sports fans.
10 min tram•$2,100+/mo

Work Visa

Skilled Worker visa (subclass 482). Points-tested visas (189, 190). Employer sponsorship required for most.

Processing: 3-12 months depending on visa type

Relocation Costs

Usually 4 weeks bond + 2 weeks rent upfront. No agent fees for tenants. Competitive markets in Sydney/Melbourne.

Typical deposit: 4 months rent

Enter your salary above to see a personalized breakdown of your finances in Melbourne

Our calculator shows net income after taxes, affordable neighborhoods, and savings potential

Data last updated: January 2026•View methodology

Compare Cities

This city
Melbourne
Add city

Add another city to compare costs

Guides for Melbourne

  • Sydney vs Melbourne 2026: Cost of Living, Jobs & Lifestyle ComparedSydney pays 15% more but Melbourne rent is 30% cheaper. Side-by-side comparison of salaries, rent, transport, and which city gives you more for your money.
    Comparison10 min read
  • Best Countries for Expats in 2026: Complete RankingWe scored 33 countries on taxes, cost of living, quality of life, and career growth. The top-ranked country isn't the one most people guess.
    Rankings15 min read
  • Moving Abroad Checklist: Everything You Need to DoThe complete checklist for relocating internationally - from 6 months before to your first week abroad. Documents, finances, housing, and more.
    Planning14 min read
View all guides →

Explore similar cities

More in Australia

SydneyAustralia's largest city
Avg. 1BR: $2,989/mo
BrisbaneSunshine State capital
Avg. 1BR: $2,144/mo
PerthWestern Australia capital
Avg. 1BR: $2,225/mo

Nearby alternatives

AucklandNZ's largest city
Avg. 1BR: $2,569/mo
WellingtonCapital city
Avg. 1BR: $2,321/mo
ChristchurchSouth Island's largest city
Avg. 1BR: $1,800/mo

Similar cost of living

LondonGlobal financial and tech hub
Avg. 1BR: £2,111/mo
AmsterdamInternational hub
Avg. 1BR: €1,979/mo

Comparison guides

Sydney vs Melbourne: Which City?

Frequently Asked Questions about Melbourne

Read More About Melbourne

Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
Comparison10 min read

Sydney vs Melbourne 2026: Cost of Living, Jobs & Lifestyle Compared

affordwhere

Know what your salary buys before you move. Take-home pay, neighborhoods, and savings across 120+ cities in 33 countries.

Updated Jan 2026

Explore

  • Calculator
  • Blog
  • Data sources
  • Benchmarks

Countries

AustraliaAustriaBelgiumCanadaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyHong KongIndiaIndonesiaIrelandItalyJapanMalaysiaMexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPolandPortugalSingaporeSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanThailandUAEU.K.U.S.A.Vietnam

Company

  • About
  • Testimonials
  • FAQ

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 AffordWhere. Estimates only, not financial advice.

2026 tax rules • Jan 2026 rent data