Cost of Living in Cairns
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Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 16.82 $ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 90.58 $ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 11.65 $ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 6.47 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 7.76 $ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 4.11 $ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 2.98 $ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 2.39 $ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 1.59 $ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 2.22 $ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 1.24 $ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 4.85 $ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 3.45 $ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 5.11 $ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 5.18 $ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 1.61 $ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 1.25 $ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 1.27 $ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 2.52 $ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 1.03 $ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 1.03 $ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 2.46 $ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 2.18 $ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 11.00 $ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 3.32 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 4.85 $ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 29.12 $ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 3.24 $ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 64.70 $ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 6.47 $ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 5.21 $ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | ? | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 1.11 $ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 22,646.22 $ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 19,411.04 $ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 150.97 $ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 33.16 $ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 47.56 $ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 37.96 $ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | ? | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 12.94 $ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | ? | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | ? | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 83.90 $ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 66.86 $ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 114.31 $ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 121.32 $ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 1,237.45 $ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,093.49 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 2,005.81 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,827.87 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 560.54 $ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 430.80 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 2,736.58 $ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.96 |
Prices in Cairns
This city had 179 entries in the past 12 months by 23 different contributors.
Last update: 23 November 2025
Last update: 23 November 2025
Sources and References
Moving to Cairns? Explore:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Port Douglas | 42.11 miles |
| Cost of Living in Cape Tribulation | 87.53 miles |
| Cost of Living in Townsville | 216.15 miles |
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 ItalianoCosto della vita a Cairns
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 EspañolCoste de vida en Cairns
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Leave a comment:2 Comments so far
J C
on Nov 13, 2023:
No King Nick, this isn't a communist country. Landlords shouldn't have to take a lower rate because someone is unemployed, if this was forced they would all sell up and there would be a shortage of rentals. Pensioners aren't going to be alive long enough to pay off a 30 year mortgage and maybe first home buyers boomer parents, should be helping them with housing not the government. All these things need taxes to pay for which means less take home pay for you, which makes the cost of living higher. Your lack of understanding on these basic economic principles show that you chose not to become an educated person, which is why you're behind in life.
King Nick
on Mar 07, 2023:
Rent prices too high for unemployed. Government not doing enough for first home buyers. Some lending agencies don't accept pensioners? Shortage of houses in Cairns. It is unfair that some people on second and third house before they help me get started off. We are not all equal?