Australia : Cost of Living by City
Cost of Living in Australia
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Newcastle?
As numerous people are interested in living in Australia, they need to get familiar with the minimum amount of money that they will need to have so as to be able to pay for basic living costs there.
Also, they should get some information about variations in the prices among the major cities in Australia and if they find themselves able to cove the basic monthly living costs, only then should they start their settling.
If you decide that Newcastle is a perfect place for you, your lifestyle and needs will determine the cost of living.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Newcastle
RESTAURANTS
Unlike some less popular cities in Australia, Newcastle is pretty attractive to both tourists and future settlers.
That is why, the prices in restaurants and cafes are quite higher and less affordable.
If you earn the minimum amount of money, then you will not be able to afford visiting restaurants more than once or twice a month.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $17.80 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $5.70 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.78 |
MARKETS
It is worth noting that Newcastle is among the cities which boast the least expensive milk and the bread is also quite affordable.
The prices at local markets are far more reasonable than in the stores, so Australians often decide to buy groceries and fresh fruit and vegetables there.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.93 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.14 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.77 |
TRANSPORTATION
As in whole Australia transportation is expensive in Newcastle.
If you can afford your own car, then you can buy gasoline at a reasonable price, but it would be difficult driving through the traffic jams in the city.
If you use public transport, then you will need more than $100 for a monthly ticket.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $2.49 |
| Monthly Pass | $116.12 |
| Gasoline | $1.02 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Newcastle has everything you need in a city and that is why many people decide to settle exactly there.
But, once the rent is paid, there are other expenses to be covered, such as utilities, and they are slightly more expensive here than in some other Australian cities.
The Internet access price is 3 times higher than in some European countries.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $146.79 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.10 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $54.17 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
For movie lovers it is a great thing to hear that Newcastle has the lowest cinema ticket prices in major cities in Australia.
While other cities offer movies at the price of $12 or even more, you can watch the latest release in Newcastle for only $8.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $40.36 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $11.16 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $8.55 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
Australia is known as a country with high prices of clothes and shoes.
And the very same situation is in Newcastle, where you need to pay more than $100 for a pair of running shoes.
That might be the reason why the least money is spent on clothing.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $72.73 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $47.63 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $106.83 |
RENT PER MONTH
Good to note is that rent here is pretty less expensive than in Sydney, which is not far away from there.
The rent is still quite high, but more reasonable than in other major cities.
If you are not obliged to live in the city center, then you can find a decent place for living at the affordable price out of the city.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1046.45 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $897.99 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1917.19 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Newcastle?
When it comes to monthly expenses and how the money is separated and spent in Newcastle, again the rent is the thing that takes the most of the budget.
Buying food and groceries is also among the most important things which require significant amount of money.
Newcastle has to offer various types of restaurants for everyone’s budget, so quite an amount is spent there.
What remains, when all the necessities are covered, is usually given for leisure, sports and clothes.
Average Costs Breakdown
Newcastle: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
If you get acquainted with some of the approximate costs related to living in Newcastle you will be able and ready to prepare your budget for settling there.
All the prices can vary depending on your own needs, lifestyle and personal choices, but the average salary would be enough to cover all the expenses.
Unfortunately, the minimum salary is relatively lower than the national average and those who earn it have to decide among the necessities and luxury so as to be able to live normally in Newcastle.
Newcastle upon Tyne Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Newcastle upon Tyne Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | MEDIUM |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | LOW |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | MEDIUM |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | LOW |
| MUGGING RISK | LOW |
| TERRORISM RISK | MEDIUM |
| SCAMS RISK | MEDIUM |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | LOW |
Cost of Living by City in Australia
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Adelaide |
72.92 |
| Brisbane |
70.46 |
| Canberra |
69.88 |
| Darwin |
72.47 |
| Gold Coast |
64.53 |
| Hobart |
69.1 |
| Melbourne |
74.53 |
| Perth |
75.09 |
| Sydney |
79.93 |
What is this person smoking? Not a single 1 bedroom apartment (not room) is anywhere near that cheap. It’s almost double.
What do you think are the biggest surprises people face when budgeting for life in Newcastle?
It’s interesting to hear about Newcastle as a good option for settling in Australia, but I can’t help but wonder how realistic those living costs are. It seems like a lovely place, but can anyone really move there without a solid financial cushion? The variations in costs across different cities can really catch newcomers off guard. It feels like there’s a lot to consider before making that leap.