Cost of Living: Darwin vs Melbourne (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of living costs between Darwin and Melbourne, Australia.
The Verdict
Darwin is $800/year cheaper than Melbourne. You need to earn approximately $1,000 less per year to maintain the same lifestyle in Darwin compared to Melbourne.
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison
| Category | Darwin | Melbourne | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1br/week) | $480 | $520 | Darwin |
| Rent (2br/week) | $620 | $680 | Darwin |
| Groceries/week | $145 | $125 | Melbourne |
| Utilities/month | $300 | $260 | Melbourne |
| Transport/month | $170 | $195 | Darwin |
| Internet & Phone/month | $115 | $110 | Melbourne |
| Petrol/litre | $2.10 | $1.98 | Melbourne |
| Median house price | $580,000 | $1,050,000 | Darwin |
| Median unit price | $350,000 | $620,000 | Darwin |
| Cost of living index | 87 | 89 | Darwin |
How Much More Do You Need to Earn?
Check exactly what you take home with our take-home pay calculator.
Which City is Cheaper — Category by Category
Net Difference in Annual Costs
Living in Darwin saves you $800 per year compared to Melbourne. That is $67/month or $15/week.
Explore Each City
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Darwin or Melbourne cheaper to live in?
Darwin is cheaper to live in than Melbourne by approximately $800 per year. Darwin has a cost of living index of 87 compared to 89 for Melbourne (Sydney = 100).
How much more do you need to earn in Melbourne compared to Darwin?
You need to earn approximately $1,000 more per year (pre-tax) to maintain the same standard of living in Melbourne compared to Darwin.
Is rent cheaper in Darwin or Melbourne?
A 1-bedroom apartment costs $480/week in Darwin and $520/week in Melbourne. Darwin is cheaper for rent by $40/week.
Are groceries more expensive in Darwin or Melbourne?
Weekly groceries for a single person cost $145 in Darwin and $125 in Melbourne. Melbourne is cheaper for groceries.
Which city has cheaper property — Darwin or Melbourne?
The median house price in Darwin is $580,000 compared to $1,050,000 in Melbourne. Darwin has cheaper property.
General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with a licensed adviser or the ATO.