SavingsMate

Cost of Living: Hobart vs Gold Coast (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of living costs between Hobart and Gold Coast, Australia.

The Verdict

Hobart is $5,484/year cheaper than Gold Coast. You need to earn approximately $9,000 less per year to maintain the same lifestyle in Hobart compared to Gold Coast.

Side-by-Side Cost Comparison

CategoryHobartGold CoastWinner
Rent (1br/week)$420$520Hobart
Rent (2br/week)$530$670Hobart
Groceries/week$120$125Hobart
Utilities/month$260$235Gold Coast
Transport/month$155$185Hobart
Internet & Phone/month$108$105Gold Coast
Petrol/litre$2.00$1.96Gold Coast
Median house price$700,000$900,000Hobart
Median unit price$480,000$620,000Hobart
Cost of living index8085Hobart

How Much More Do You Need to Earn?

Salary needed in Hobart$59,000/year
Salary needed in Gold Coast$68,000/year
Difference-$9,000/year
After-tax income difference$7,000/year

Check exactly what you take home with our take-home pay calculator.

Which City is Cheaper — Category by Category

Rent (1br/week)Hobart ($100 cheaper)
Rent (2br/week)Hobart ($140 cheaper)
Groceries/weekHobart ($5 cheaper)
Utilities/monthGold Coast ($25 cheaper)
Transport/monthHobart ($30 cheaper)
Internet & Phone/monthGold Coast ($3 cheaper)

Net Difference in Annual Costs

Annual cost in Hobart$34,356
Annual cost in Gold Coast$39,840
Net difference$5,484/year

Living in Hobart saves you $5,484 per year compared to Gold Coast. That is $457/month or $105/week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hobart or Gold Coast cheaper to live in?

Hobart is cheaper to live in than Gold Coast by approximately $5,484 per year. Hobart has a cost of living index of 80 compared to 85 for Gold Coast (Sydney = 100).

How much more do you need to earn in Gold Coast compared to Hobart?

You need to earn approximately $9,000 more per year (pre-tax) to maintain the same standard of living in Gold Coast compared to Hobart.

Is rent cheaper in Hobart or Gold Coast?

A 1-bedroom apartment costs $420/week in Hobart and $520/week in Gold Coast. Hobart is cheaper for rent by $100/week.

Are groceries more expensive in Hobart or Gold Coast?

Weekly groceries for a single person cost $120 in Hobart and $125 in Gold Coast. Hobart is cheaper for groceries.

Which city has cheaper property — Hobart or Gold Coast?

The median house price in Hobart is $700,000 compared to $900,000 in Gold Coast. Hobart has cheaper property.

General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with a licensed adviser or the ATO.