Money
UK vs Australia: True Cost of Living in 2026
By MovetoOZ Team · 24 April 2026
Australia is often described as expensive, but wages are also significantly higher. Here's the honest breakdown.
Rent (1-bed inner-city): Sydney $650/wk, Melbourne $480/wk, Brisbane $520/wk, Perth $500/wk vs London £400/wk, Manchester £200/wk.
Coffee: AUD $5 (about £2.60) vs UK £3.50 — coffee is actually cheaper.
Pint of beer: AUD $10–12 (£5–6) vs UK £5–7. Comparable.
Petrol: AUD $1.95/L vs UK £1.45/L. Australia is cheaper.
Healthcare: Medicare covers most things; private insurance ~AUD $150/mo for a couple.
Salaries: A £35k UK marketing role is ~AUD $90–100k in Sydney. The maths usually works out in your favour.