Cost of Living in Perth: A Complete Guide In 2026

Perth is the capital of Western Australia and a lively city. It is well-known for its endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, and rapidly growing economy. Job opportunities combined with a relaxed lifestyle make Perth a very attractive place for students, professionals, families, and everyone in between who wants to live away from home. However, moving into an apartment or house in any major city requires some forethought, especially when developing a budget for daily expenses.

This comprehensive guide has all the information you need about the costs of living in Perth in 2026, including housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, entertainment, healthcare, and more. We also have realistic monthly budgets for a single person, a couple, and a family of four.

How Much Does Living in Perth Really Cost?

In most people’s perceptions, Perth is less expensive than Sydney and Melbourne; however, it is still slightly above the average cost of living in Australia.

Your monthly spending will depend on your lifestyle, location, and spending habits. Although housing will be your largest expense, your budget will also include high costs for groceries, transportation, and utilities.

Comparison with other major cities:

• Sydney and Melbourne: 15–25% pricier on average.
• Brisbane: Similar grocery costs, slightly cheaper housing options.
• Adelaide: Generally more affordable but fewer high-paying job opportunities.

For anyone considering a move to Perth or anywhere else in Western Australia, knowing what prices will be is vital. Planning your budget properly will allow you to enjoy a high quality of life both at work and in your leisure time.

1. Housing and Rent in Perth

You’ve likely heard that housing represents the most significant fixed monthly expenditure for most people living in Perth. However, the cost of renting real estate in Perth varies widely, depending on the property’s location (city centre versus suburbia) and property type. Understanding the prices of various rental types plays an important role in developing a budget and selecting the right suburb for your lifestyle/requirements.

Typical Monthly Rent (2026)

Type of Apartment	City Centre	Outside the City Centre
1-Bedroom	AUD 2,400	AUD 1,800
2-Bedroom	AUD 3,000	AUD 2,200
3-Bedroom	AUD 4,000	AUD 2,900

Key Points:

• City-centre rental properties are often more expensive than comparable properties outside city centres, due to their convenience.
• Affordable suburbs such as Joondalup, Fremantle, Rockingham, and Midland offer a variety of local amenities, including shopping, schools, parks, and civic amenities.
• Share an apartment/house with others (roommates); this can be a practical option for individuals or students looking to save on rental costs.

Tips for Affordable Housing

1. Select suburbs wisely: Rent costs can be 20%–30% lower outside the CBD.
2. Renting older apartments: They are cheaper and can be well-kept, while new buildings cost more.
3. Put utilities in your budget: Gas, electricity, and water bills are often separate.

2. Groceries and Food Costs

Grocery Costs in Perth are reasonable when compared to Sydney and Melbourne. Therefore, grocery shopping daily is still manageable. Grocery stores in Perth that provide you with fresh produce, meat, dairy, and international foods are from the same chains you are probably aware of in other parts of Australia (Woolworths, Coles), in addition to smaller local grocery markets. By developing a plan for your shopping and cooking meals at home, you can save significantly while still maintaining a nutritious diet.

Typical Grocery Prices (2026)

Item	Price (AUD)
Milk (1 L)	3.14
Bread (1 kg)	7.56
Eggs (dozen)	7.83
Chicken fillets (1 kg)	16.65
Apples (1 kg)	6.84
Rice (1 kg)	3.60
Cheese (1 kg)	15.50

Weekly Grocery Budget:

• Single adult: AUD 100–150
• Couple: AUD 200–300
• Family of 4: AUD 400–600

Eating Out

Restaurants and cafes in Perth are plentiful; however, eating out is generally more expensive than cooking at home. Nevertheless, while dining out is more expensive than cooking at home, the cost of occasional meals is within reason.

• Casual meal: AUD 15–25
• Mid-range restaurant for two: AUD 140
• Coffee: AUD 4–6

Tips:

• Lunch specials in cafes are generally less expensive than dinner specials.
• Farmers’ markets often offer fresh produce at lower prices than supermarkets.
• Cooking at home frequently saves money and allows healthier meal choices.

3. Utilities and Bills

Monthly utility costs (electricity, water, gas, and internet) are essential components when calculating the overall budget of living in Perth. Prices for utilities vary based on the size of the property, the number of people living there, and the amount of utility use. Knowing these utility costs helps individuals plan and manage their monthly budget effectively.

Average Monthly Costs (2026)

• Electricity, gas, and water: AUD 150–270
• Internet: AUD 80–95
• Mobile phone plan: AUD 45

Tips to Reduce Bills:

• Use appliances with high energy-efficiency ratings.
• Bundle your mobile and internet plans together for savings.
• Monitor water usage, especially in the summer, when air conditioning usage spikes.

Read More: Top Benefits of Hiring a Man With A Van Service in Australia

4. Transportation

The transportation system in Perth is favourable for all, with both public transport (buses and trains) and personal vehicles (cars and taxis). The method of commuting can significantly alter a user’s monthly transportation budget. Taking time to plan your bus route, using public transportation, or riding a bike for short trips will help you save money on your daily commuting costs.

Transportation Expenses in Perth (2026)

• Single public transport trip: AUD 2–5
• Monthly public transport pass: AUD 100–185
• Petrol: AUD 1.70–2.00 per litre
• Taxi start fare: AUD 4.50; per km AUD 2

Transportation Tips

• Riding a bike or walking can help save money while improving health, especially for short trips.
• If you commute occasionally, using Uber or another carpooling app is often far more economical than owning and maintaining a car.
• Suburbs with good train access, like Rockingham or Joondalup, lessen dependence upon automobiles.

5. Healthcare and Insurance

Australia has an excellent public health system, with Medicare accessible to all Australian citizens and permanent residents. Expats and visitors generally need private health insurance to access health services. To be able to budget for health services and to have confidence that you will have access to middle and quality-level health care when you require it. It would be best for you to become familiar with health costs and private health coverage options in Australia.

• Private health insurance: AUD 100–250/month
• Dental or specialist visits (without insurance): AUD 100–250 per appointment

Advice for Expats

• Look at the health and insurance requirements for your visa.
• Some private health insurance plans offer discounts for gyms or wellness programs.
• Regular checkups help you avoid paying more for unexpected illnesses.

6. Lifestyle and Fun

Perth offers a wide variety of entertainment options, from relaxing at the beautiful beaches to nightlife to cultural events and activities. The cost of entertainment depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. Plan your entertainment and leisure spending to enjoy your time in Perth while staying within your budget.

• Cinema ticket: AUD 16–18
• Gym membership: AUD 40–60/month
• Beer pint in a pub: AUD 14
• Beach and outdoor activities: Mostly free

Tips:

• Attend free festivals, community events, and cultural special events to save money.
• Join your local sports and community groups for cheaper access to activities and events.
• Cafés in Perth’s CBD are high-end and cost significantly more than those outside the CBD.

Read More: How Much Does It Cost to Live in Darwin? Full Cost of Living Breakdown

Living in Perth vs Other Australian Cities

Perth has a fairly reasonable cost of living in comparison to other major Australian cities. With more affordable rent, groceries, and transportation than both Melbourne and Sydney, you will observe that comparing Perth to other towns allows you to create a budget and find a location that suits your needs in terms of work and lifestyle, and provides for your family’s needs.

Perth offers a balanced cost of living when compared to other major cities.

• Sydney: The costs of rent, groceries, and transportation are comparatively higher.
• Melbourne: Comparable food prices but higher housing costs.
• Brisbane: Same prices for groceries, but lower rent in suburban areas.
• Adelaide: Lower cost overall with fewer high-paying jobs available.

Moving to Perth can provide excellent employment opportunities, beautiful natural attractions, and low living expenses, making it an ideal choice for recent arrivals and expats.

Sample Monthly Budgets (2026)

Single Person – A single adult living comfortably would expect to spend approximately:

Expense	Cost (AUD)
Rent (1-bedroom outside city)	1,800
Utilities & Internet	230
Groceries	120
Transport	150
Entertainment & Eating Out	200
Total	2,500

Couple – A couple will likely spend significantly more on housing, groceries, and entertainment:

Expense	Cost (AUD)
Rent (2-bedroom outside city)	2,400
Utilities & Internet	270
Groceries	250
Transport	300
Entertainment & Eating Out	350
Total	3,570

Family of 4 – Families require a greater budget, especially for housing and childcare:

Expense	Cost (AUD)
Rent (3-bedroom outside city)	2,900
Utilities & Internet	350
Groceries	550
Transport	500
Entertainment & Eating Out	450
Childcare/School Fees	1,000
Total	5,750

Tips to Reduce Living Costs in Perth

Perth is an affordable place to live and can be better utilised with proper budgeting. Basic habits that can help reduce your living costs in Perth include, but are not limited to, finding low-cost Suburbs, using public transport, cooking at home, and shopping wisely. These lifestyle changes will allow you to enjoy the wonderful benefits of living in Perth without spending more money.

1. Find affordable suburbs: The further you live from the CBD, the more you save on rent, by 20–30%.
2. Public transport or cycling: Remarkably lowers your car expenses.
3. Shop smart: Always check prices at different supermarkets, markets, and online.
4. Cook at home as much as possible: Eating out will soon add up to high costs.
5. Free entertainment: Beaches, parks, and attending free cultural events are cost-free.
6. Bundle all bills: Bundle your internet, phone, and electricity bills to save money!

Conclusion

Perth is one of Australia’s most attractive cities; it has a very high quality of life, beautiful scenery, and many jobs. While housing costs make up a large portion of your monthly expenses, there are plenty of other expenses that can be managed with good planning. If you want to be able to budget for the cost of living in Perth (including rent, food, bills, and other leisure activities) as a single, couple, or family, you need to understand the costs involved so that you can enjoy all that Perth has to offer without too much financial strain.

Suburban areas around Perth offer residents a range of housing options, from affordable neighbourhoods outside the Central Business District (CBD) to newer apartment buildings in the city’s central area. In addition, residents will find a reliable public transportation system that provides access to fresh, local food and various free and paid entertainment options, enabling a balanced lifestyle tailored to each resident’s needs. Therefore, when relocating to Perth, hiring professional removalists, such as Moving Champs, will ensure a smooth, efficient relocation and help new residents settle into their new homes.

In short, Perth is a lively, affordable city that combines the best of both worlds: the conveniences of a city with the natural beauty of many rural areas in Australia. It’s a wonderful place for newcomers, expats, and families. You can enjoy everything this exciting city has to offer its residents if you take the time to plan and budget properly and use the professional moving services offered by Moving Champs.

Read More: Sydney Cost of Living Breakdown: Rent, Bills, Transport & More

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the average cost of living in Perth?

The average cost of living in Perth changes based on where and how you live. For singles, rent, groceries, utilities, transport, and entertainment cost about AUD 2,500 per month; for couples, AUD 3,500; and for a family of four, AUD 5,750.

2. What is the cost of rent in Perth?

Depending on where you live and what kind of property you have, the rent can be different. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs about AUD 2,400 a month. Outside the CBD, the same flat costs about AUD 1,800. The prices of bigger apartments and houses depend on their size and the area they are in.

3. How much do groceries cost in Perth?

Compared to both Sydney and Melbourne, grocery prices are moderate in Perth. Supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, and farmers’ markets, among others, sell everything you would expect in an average supermarket, including fresh produce, meats, dairy, and international foods, all at affordable prices.

4. How much should I budget for utilities and internet in Perth?

Typically, your monthly utility bill (electricity, gas & water) will be in the range of AUD 150-270. You will pay between AUD 80 and AUD 95 per month for your basic internet plan. The average pay for a mobile plan will be approximately AUD 45/month.

5. Is public transport convenient in Perth?

Yes, there are numerous ways to travel around Perth using its extensive bus, train, and ferry system. Public transportation is fairly reasonable in terms of cost – monthly passes cost between AUD 100 and AUD 185, while single trips cost between AUD 2 and AUD 5 each.

6. How can I reduce my living costs in Perth?

There are numerous ways to cut your living expenses in Perth. One of those would be to live in a more affordable suburb. Other options include cooking your meals at home, using public transportation whenever possible, purchasing groceries with your shopping habits in mind, and planning your entertainment expenses carefully.