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Melbourne vs London

Melbourne runs about 30% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 931 USD a month.

melbourne from shrine of rememberance
Melbourne
$3,119/month · Australia
Melbpal · CC BY-SA 4.0
Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Melbourne monthly
$3,119
Index 49 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+30%
London relative to Melbourne
Rent gap
$900
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

MelbourneLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Melbourne $1,700, London $2,600. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Food
    Food: Melbourne $804, London $617. Cheaper in London.
  • Transport
    Transport: Melbourne $180, London $282. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Melbourne $153, London $267. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Melbourne $26, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Melbourne $152, London $169. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Other
    Other: Melbourne $105, London $107. Cheaper in Melbourne.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricMelbourneLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost3,119 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)49✓63
Housing1,700 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities153 USD✓267 USD
Food804 USD617 USD✓
Transport180 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare26 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle152 USD✓169 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,176 USD✓5,953 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.9%✓28.6%
Left over each month3,057 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary3,700 USD✓3,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,200 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre8,500 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety74/100✓66/100
Healthcare88/100✓84/100
Air quality86/100✓60/100
Public transport84/10092/100✓
Walkability82/10090/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife92/10094/100✓
Family friendliness84/100✓72/100
Median broadband90 Mbps90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature15°C12°C✓
Summer high26°C23°C✓
Winter low6°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,200 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall650 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min✓90 min
CurrencyAUDGBP
Time zoneAustralia/MelbourneEurope/London

Melbourne runs about 30% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 931 USD a month.

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Cost of living in MelbourneCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Melbourne vs BrisbaneMelbourne vs AucklandMelbourne vs Sydney
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Melbourne or London cheaper?

Melbourne runs about 30% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 931 USD a month.

What salary do you need in London compared with Melbourne?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,176 a month in Melbourne and $5,953 in London, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Melbourne or London?

Melbourne scores 74/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Melbourne averages 15°C against 12°C in London.