Cost of living in Melbourne — is your salary enough?
Melbourne median rent is A$2,000/month, significantly below Sydney but rising rapidly post-pandemic. Melbourne earners at mid-income levels are typically close to the national savings benchmark despite rising costs.
Rent in Melbourne
Other monthly costs
How different incomes stack up
At typical Melbourne costs (A$2,000 rent)
See your personal verdict for Melbourne
Cost figures are estimates based on reported median rents and typical spending patterns. Savings benchmarks from ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2022/23. Figures in AUD.
Frequently asked questions — Living in Melbourne
How much does it cost to live in Melbourne?+
Core monthly costs in Melbourne run about A$4,000 — roughly A$2,000 for rent and A$2,000 for other living expenses (food, transport, utilities, basics). Melbourne median rent is A$2,000/month, significantly below Sydney but rising rapidly post-pandemic.
What is the median rent in Melbourne?+
The median rent in Melbourne is around A$2,000 per month. Melbourne is classified as a high cost cost-of-living city in Australia.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Melbourne?+
Using the 70%-rule (core costs ≤ 70% of gross), you need roughly A$68,571 per year before tax to live comfortably in Melbourne. That leaves room to hit the 8% savings benchmark for Australia.
Is Melbourne expensive compared to the rest of Australia?+
Melbourne sits in the high cost tier within Australia. Melbourne earners at mid-income levels are typically close to the national savings benchmark despite rising costs.
How much of your income should rent take in Melbourne?+
The standard rule is no more than 30% of gross income on rent. At A$2,000/month in Melbourne, that means a gross income of at least A$80,000 per year to stay under the 30% threshold.
Can you still save money living in Melbourne?+
Yes — the Australia benchmark for mid-income earners is 8% of gross income. In a high cost city like Melbourne, hitting that rate is tighter but achievable with disciplined budgeting.
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