Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory in Australia, is known for its tropical climate and vibrant multicultural community. Understanding the cost of living in Darwin is crucial for both potential residents and those planning to relocate.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of various expenses in Darwin, including housing, transportation, groceries, and more, to help you make informed financial decisions.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $22.14 on average, with a range between $13.03 and $32.57.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $97.7, with prices ranging from $65.13 to $130.26.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $11.72.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $5.54 to $7.82, imported beer $6.51 to $14.33, cappuccino $2.93 to $3.91, and Coke/Pepsi $1.63 to $6.51.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.97 and $2.08 per liter, averaging $1.17.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $1.56 and $2.93, with an average price of $2.75.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $3.26 to $4.69, averaging $4.06.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $2.54 to $4.56 per kg, while oranges range from $1.92 to $5.54 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.63 and $5.21 per kg, and lettuce costs $1.3 to $3.26 per head.

Transportation

  • Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between $1.95 and $2.61, with a monthly pass priced between $26.05 and $45.39.
  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.11 and $1.24 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3.52, with a cost of $1.22 per km.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $1302.6 to $1953.91, averaging $1628.26.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $532.74 to $2084.17, averaging $1306.5.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $2344.69 to $3126.25, averaging $2735.47.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $1953.91 to $2605.21, averaging $2279.56.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $179.92 and $260.52, averaging $233.65.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $55.36 to $65.13, with an average cost of $59.16.
Worldwide
Australia

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Australia are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Australia, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 37 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$22.14
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$97.70
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$11.72
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.51
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.47
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93
Cappuccino (regular)
$3.58
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.17
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$2.75
Eggs (regular) (12)
$4.06
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.77
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.41
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$11.72
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$9.37
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.16
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$25.08
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.14
Apples (1kg)
$3.66
Oranges (1kg)
$3.63
Potato (1kg)
$3.09
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.15
Rice (white), (1kg)
$2.09
Tomato (1kg)
$4.48
Banana (1kg)
$2.86
Onion (1kg)
$2.21
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$8.47
Transportation
Avg / Range
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)
$2.28
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$45.39
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$28,932.81
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.52
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.22
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$45.59
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$32,565.12
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$1,628.26
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$1,306.50
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$2,735.47
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$2,279.56
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$233.65
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$59.16
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$35.01
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$79.24
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$15.63
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$78.97
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$45.59
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$102.58
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$130.26
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,229.37
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.4%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$1,563.13
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$7,815.63
Darwin Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Darwin offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly based on the type of restaurant.

Grocery prices in Darwin are relatively moderate, with essentials like milk and bread being affordable.

Transportation costs are reasonable, with public transport and fuel prices being competitive.

Housing in Darwin can be expensive, especially in the city centre, but there are more affordable options outside the centre.

Utilities and internet costs are in line with national averages, making them manageable for most residents.

Conclusion

Overall, the cost of living in Darwin, Australia, reflects its status as a vibrant and growing city. While some expenses, such as housing, can be high, there are opportunities to save on groceries and transportation.

Prospective residents should consider their lifestyle and budget preferences when planning a move to Darwin, as the city offers a range of options to suit different needs.

Darwin

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of Darwin
All cities in Australia