The two largest cities in Australia, Melbourne and Perth, each have their own characteristics and attract students and residents from all over the world. Although both cities offer a high quality of life, there are significant differences in terms of daily expenses. This article will compare the daily costs of Melbourne and Perth in detail from many aspects, to provide a clear reference for you planning to live or study.
Accommodation
Accommodation Costs in Melbourne
Student accommodation Melbourne Australia costs are relatively high. On-campus accommodation typically costs $250 to $600 per week. If students plan to rent the off-campus apartments, they need to averagely spend around AUD $150 to AUD $700 per week on their accommodation rentals. In the Melbourne city centre and popular areas where the rents reaching AUD $400 – AUD $800 per week. While, in the more distant suburbs, such as Brunswick or Carlton, rents will be lower, around AUD $250 – AUD $400 a week.
Accommodation Costs in Melbourne
Perth also offers students a choice of on-campus accommodation and off-campus apartments. The cost of student accommodation Perth is relatively low. On-campus dormitories cost AUD $180 to AUD $500 per week, while shared apartments cost only $130 to $600 per week. Moreover, one-bedroom apartments costing around $350 to $500 per week in the Perth city centre and typically $200 to $350 in the suburbs such as Victoria Park or South Perth.
With platforms such as uhomes.com, students can easily find safe and secure accommodation on a budget, especially near some of Melbourne and Perth’s leading universities, such as Monash University, the University of Melbourne or the University of Western Australia. Detailed listings are available on the platform, including rent, location and amenities. uhomes.com also offers 24/7 online counseling and booking services to ensure students find their ideal accommodation before they arrive.
Transportation
Transport Costs in Melbourne
Melbourne’s public transport system is complete, including metro, bus and tram, with Myki card can be used. A monthly pass costs AUD $150 to AUD $200 and a one-way ticket costs AUD $4.60. For people with frequent daily commutes, buying a monthly pass is a more economical option. Melbourne’s bike-sharing and e-scooter systems are also very convenient, but using these services costs extra.
Transport Costs in Perth
Public transport system in Perth is dominated by Transperth, which includes trains, buses and ferries, with a monthly pass costing around AUD $100 to AUD $160 and a one-way fare of AUD $3 to AUD $4. Due to Perth’s smaller city size, commuting times and transport costs are generally lower than in Melbourne. In addition, the road traffic in Perth is smooth, and self-drive travel is an economical and convenient option.
Eating
Eating Costs in Melbourne
As a cultural and gastronomic capital, Melbourne is known for its wide range of dining options. The average cost of eating out in Melbourne is AUD $15 to AUD $30 per meal, while some high-end restaurants can reach AUD $50 to AUD $200. If you choose to cook your own food, you will spend about AUD $80 to AUD $120 per week on food.
Eating Costs in Perth
In Perth, a meal in a normal restaurant costs about AUD $12 to AUD $25, and a meal in a high-end restaurant usually costs AUD $40 to AUD $80. If you cook your own food, you will spend about AUD $60 to AUD $90 per week on food.
Entertainment
Entertainment Costs in Melbourne
Melbourne offers a wide variety of entertainment, including theatre performances, concerts and museum visits. Theater tickets typically cost AUD $50 to AUD $150, and movie tickets cost about AUD $20. In addition, Melbourne’s coffee culture is strong, and a cup of coffee in a boutique cafe costs about AUD $4 to AUD $5.
Entertainment Costs in Perth
Perth is rich in natural attractions and many recreational activities such as beach visits and park trekking are free, which makes living costs even lower. Cinema ticket prices are similar to Melbourne, at around AUD $18 to AUD $20 each, but other cultural events typically cost less.
Conclusion
Melbourne and Perth each have their own characteristics for daily spending. Melbourne is attractive for its rich cultural activities and cosmopolitan environment, but the relatively high cost of living requires a larger budget. If you are looking for a rich cultural life, top educational resources and convenient transport network, Melbourne is the ideal choice. Perth stands out for its affordable cost of living and natural beauty. If there is a greater focus on affordable living costs, a comfortable natural environment and lower living stress, then Perth may be a better fit. No matter which city you choose, you can experience the charm of each city. But the cost of living Melbourne vs Perth is more practical and can help you form an accurate judgement more than just feelings.
Also Read: South Africans Grapple with Escalating Cost of Living Crisis
