Cost of living in Perth

Use this Perth article to identify the questions and locations worth comparing for your household. This article was published on February 5, 2024. Prices, population figures, service frequencies and market comparisons below belong to that publication context; check current information before making a housing or moving commitment. No neighbourhood description guarantees the conditions at a particular property.

The West Australian capital of Perth is a very pleasant place to live.

It promises a great lifestyle, pristine white-sand beaches, lovely parks and plenty to see and do in and around the city.

Perth also holds the title of Australia’s most sun-soaked capital city, with an average of 8.8 hours of sunshine per day.

Many people believe ‘the west is best’.

But how does Perth stack up for cost of living?

We’ve taken a look.

Housing

When it comes to housing costs, Perth is a bit of a mixed bag.

Rental prices are relatively high, but for those looking to buy there are bargains to be had.

As of December 2023, the average price of renting a house in Perth was $620 per week – higher than Melbourne ($550) and Brisbane ($600) and above the national capital city average of $600.

Renting a unit costs an average of $520 per week – the same as Melbourne.

However, buying property in Perth is a lot more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

As of December 2023, the average median house value in Perth was $708,335.

Comparatively, Sydney came in at $1,395,218, Melbourne was $942,750 and Brisbane was $888,628.

When it came to buying a unit, the median unit value in Perth was $475,011 – significantly less than Sydney’s $828,525.

Food and Groceries

Food and grocery prices in Perth are largely on par with other Australian capital cities.

One study in 2023 found that West Australian households spent an average of $185 per week on groceries – marginally less than those in Victoria ($193) and New South Wales ($190).

Like in other states, prices on some produce and groceries are higher, but on other products prices are lower.

Utilities

When it comes to utilities, West Australian’s enjoy the cheapest bills in the country.

A Canstar Blue study in December 2023 found that the average quarterly electricity bill in Western Australia was $296 – the lowest of any state.

Western Australia also recorded the cheapest gas bills, coming in at just $143 per quarter – far less than Queensland ($179), New South Wales ($192) and Victoria ($237).

However, average quarterly water bills in Western Australia were the second-most expensive in the country at $233 – above Victoria ($208) and New South Wales ($216) but marginally less than Queensland ($235).

Transport

Motorists in Perth enjoy the cheapest fuel prices in the country.

In 2023, the average price for a litre of unleaded petrol in Perth was just 183.9 cents – compared to 190.7 cents in Sydney, 191.9 cents in Melbourne and 193.4 cents in Brisbane.

For those who drive a lot, those savings could really add up.

Public transport prices in Perth are similar to other capital cities and are determined by which zones you travel in.

As of April 2024, there was a daily cap of $10.30 for adults.

Eating out and entertainment

A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Perth is likely to set you back around $20 to $25 – similar to other Australian capital cities.

As of December 2023, the cost of 0.5 litres of draught beer in Perth was $12 – the same as Sydney but lower than Melbourne ($13.25).

Tickets for AFL matches, movie screenings and shows are similar in price to other states.

Total cost of living in Perth

The total cost of living in Perth will depend on your individual situation, the number of people in your household and your lifestyle.

However, given the more affordable housing prices, cheaper petrol prices and lower utility bills, Perth is considered to be one of the cheapest cities to live in Australia.

Only Adelaide and Hobart rank as more affordable capital cities than Perth when it comes to cost of living.

Packing up for a move to Perth?

If you are preparing for a move to Perth, we can help get you there.

At Fragile Removals & Storage, we are experienced interstate movers who help dozens of Australians move home each week.

We offer interstate moves to Perth from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and promise top-quality service at highly competitive prices.

To discuss your moving plans, give us a call today on 1800 500 584.

Build your own Perth budget from the categories

Treat housing, groceries, utilities, transport and discretionary spending as separate lines. Replace an article's estimate with the amount that applies to your household rather than adding figures with different assumptions. Check whether a number is per person or per household and whether it is weekly, monthly or annual before comparing totals.

Housing is a property-specific decision. Compare the rent or purchase arrangement for the actual address and identify other costs you are responsible for. A city-wide average does not establish the cost of a particular dwelling, and a historical comparison between capitals does not establish which option is cheaper today.

For utilities, check the provider and plan available at the address and the household usage behind any estimate. Ask about connection timing and any account changes when moving. For travel, compare the route and frequency you expect to use rather than assuming every resident has the same commute or vehicle costs.

For groceries, eating out and entertainment, use your own recent spending as a starting point and adjust for the household and location. Keep optional spending separate from the essentials so the budget remains useful if circumstances change. This article does not predict future prices or guarantee a particular total.

Separate the moving budget from ongoing living costs

Request a removal quote for the inventory, addresses, dates and access. Identify packing, dismantling, storage and other services separately. A lower ongoing housing cost does not establish the cost of getting your belongings to the new property.

Use measuring furniture volume to understand the load and the detailed quote form to organise the information. If the dates do not align, include storage in the comparison rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Resolve differences before relying on a total

If the examples in this article differ from current quotations or your own spending, check their date, household size, billing period and included items. Keep the assumptions beside each number so another person can see what the budget represents. Do not select only the lowest examples from incompatible scenarios.

Revisit the budget when the address, household needs or moving date changes. Use the actual provider or property documents to settle a disputed amount. Keep the change-of-address checklist alongside the plan so bills and notices reach the right place during the transition.

For the transport stage, review Perth moving services and request a detailed quote. Use the moving advice index for the next preparation decision.

Are the Perth prices and comparisons current quotes?

No. The figures are historical examples from the dates and sources stated in the Perth article. They are not current provider quotations or a prediction of your household’s total. The article discusses housing, fuel and utility costs as separate contributors. Recheck each one for your circumstances; an older comparison with other capitals is not a current quote for living in Perth. Update each line with the relevant property, service or current spending information. Check whether the amount is per person or household, which billing period it covers and what it excludes before adding it to the budget.

What should I check for a particular address?

For the Perth address you are considering, check the housing payment and other charges you will be responsible for, the utility arrangements available at the address, and the trips your household makes regularly. Confirm any essential school or service access directly. A city-wide average cannot capture the cost of a particular dwelling or commute. Keep the supporting quote or agreement beside each budget line and mark anything still estimated so the total remains understandable.

What should I give the removalist after choosing a property?

Give the removalist your origin and Perth addresses, the inventory, dates and property access details, including lifts, stairs, parking and loading times. Request packing, dismantling, reassembly and storage explicitly where needed. If the dates do not align, obtain the storage and redelivery costs before treating the move budget as complete. Keep the removal quote separate from ongoing living expenses and update it when the address, goods or service scope changes.

How do I build a household budget for Perth?

Start with housing, groceries, utilities, regular transport and discretionary spending as separate categories. Use your own household size and routines, then update the article’s examples with information relevant to the chosen Perth address. Convert all figures to one period before adding them: for example, an annualised weekly amount uses 52 weeks, while a monthly amount uses 12 months. Keep assumptions and exclusions beside each line and review estimates after the move when actual bills become available.

What should I include in the one-off moving budget?

Include the removal quote, packing materials or packing help, any agreed furniture work, cleaning, travel and temporary accommodation. Add storage and redelivery if the old and new property dates do not align. Check connection or account-change charges directly with providers where relevant. These costs are separate from the regular Perth living budget, so a lower ongoing housing payment does not establish how much cash the move itself requires. Keep confirmed amounts and estimates clearly distinguished.

Why might my total differ from the article’s examples?

Your planned Perth household size, property type, consumption, travel habits and the date of the information can all differ. Compare one category at a time and resolve billing-period differences before deciding that a quote is inconsistent with the article. Avoid combining the lowest examples from different households as though they describe one achievable scenario. Use current documents for the actual address to settle a disputed amount, and revise the budget when your plans change.