Last reviewed: 28 July 2026
Editorial responsibility: Moving To Australia.
Moving to a different Australian destination can change the amount needed in the first month, especially when rent, bond and household setup arrive together. The profiles below use the same dated inputs and calculation method as the First Month in Australia Cost Estimator.
Quick Answer
For the typical couple renting a one-bedroom home, the modelled first month ranges from $7,836 in Alice Springs to $11,604 in Sydney. That does not make one destination universally cheaper or better. These are fixed planning profiles reviewed on 13 July 2026, not current quotes, market averages or minimum budgets.
Input provenance: Moving To Australia selected these editorial planning inputs for consistent scenario comparison and reviewed them on 13 July 2026. The rent and transport values below are fixed assumptions, not amounts copied from a current market average, listing sample or fare table. Use the linked destination guides to replace them with current rental evidence, official journey information and written quotes for the actual move.
What Every Typical Total Means
Each total adds the listed first-month inputs and a 20% buffer:
- bond equal to four weeks of the weekly rent input
- rent in advance equal to two weeks of that input
- a further two-week first-rent-payment allowance, which may overlap with the actual lease schedule
- groceries
- local transport
- phone and internet
- utilities where the profile includes them
- furniture and household basics
- child and school basics for the family profiles
Temporary accommodation, flights, visa fees, migration or legal advice, private health cover, buying or setting up a car, school fees, childcare and other known household costs are not included automatically.
Single Adult, Shared Accommodation
Common typical inputs are $500 groceries, $60 phone and internet and $350 furniture and household basics. Utilities are not included. Shared-room costs can change with room size, furnishing, included bills and the household arrangement.
| Destination | First month | Weekly rent | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $5,604 | $450 | $160 |
| Melbourne | $3,936 | $275 | $170 |
| Brisbane | $3,996 | $300 | $20 |
| Adelaide | $4,020 | $290 | $120 |
| Hobart | $3,444 | $230 | $120 |
| Canberra | $4,620 | $350 | $140 |
| Perth | $4,380 | $325 | $140 |
| Darwin | $5,316 | $425 | $120 |
| Alice Springs | $4,596 | $350 | $120 |
Couple, One-Bedroom Rental
Common typical inputs are $900 groceries, $150 phone and internet, $300 utilities and $2,000 furniture and household basics.
| Destination | First month | Weekly rent | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $11,604 | $750 | $320 |
| Melbourne | $8,748 | $450 | $340 |
| Brisbane | $10,308 | $650 | $40 |
| Adelaide | $9,396 | $530 | $240 |
| Hobart | $8,076 | $400 | $180 |
| Canberra | $9,924 | $580 | $280 |
| Perth | $9,156 | $500 | $280 |
| Darwin | $8,076 | $400 | $180 |
| Alice Springs | $7,836 | $375 | $180 |
Family: Two Adults And One Child, Two-Bedroom Rental
Common typical inputs are $1,200 groceries, $170 phone and internet, $400 utilities, $3,000 furniture and household basics and $800 child and school basics. Childcare and school fees are not included.
| Destination | First month | Weekly rent | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $15,864 | $900 | $450 |
| Melbourne | $12,612 | $575 | $340 |
| Brisbane | $13,452 | $700 | $40 |
| Adelaide | $12,732 | $600 | $240 |
| Hobart | $11,700 | $500 | $180 |
| Canberra | $13,740 | $700 | $280 |
| Perth | $12,876 | $610 | $280 |
| Darwin | $12,564 | $590 | $180 |
| Alice Springs | $11,364 | $465 | $180 |
Family: Two Adults And Two Children, Three-Bedroom Rental
Common typical inputs are $1,500 groceries, $190 phone and internet, $500 utilities, $4,500 furniture and household basics and $1,200 child and school basics. Childcare and school fees are not included.
| Destination | First month | Weekly rent | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $21,648 | $1,200 | $550 |
| Melbourne | $16,788 | $720 | $340 |
| Brisbane | $18,156 | $900 | $40 |
| Adelaide | $15,900 | $640 | $240 |
| Hobart | $15,444 | $600 | $180 |
| Canberra | $17,484 | $800 | $280 |
| Perth | $17,292 | $780 | $280 |
| Darwin | $15,924 | $650 | $180 |
| Alice Springs | $15,252 | $580 | $180 |
Use The Comparison Or Build Your Own Estimate?
Use this page to compare the same typical profiles. Use the First Month in Australia Cost Estimator to replace bond, rent, groceries, transport, utilities, setup and buffer inputs with current information for the actual move.
The estimator does not predict costs. It turns a reference profile into an editable working budget and shows which assumptions drive the result.
For the local trade-offs behind a profile, use the retained cost guide for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Perth or Darwin.
Do Not Treat This As A Cheapest-City Ranking
The lowest first-month profile may not produce the best overall move. A destination decision also depends on:
- work and income prospects
- obtainable housing
- commute time and transport options
- school, childcare and healthcare access
- climate and household preferences
- distance from support networks
- whether the household needs a car
Use Australian Cities Compared to build a destination shortlist and Cost of Living in Australia for the wider budgeting method. Then use the relevant retained destination guide to test housing, work and transport together.
Limitations
Actual costs vary by property, suburb, household, timing, provider, availability, season, lifestyle and personal circumstances. Shared accommodation is especially variable. Replace each planning input with a current listing, quote, agreement, official amount or personal document where available.
Moving To Australia selected and presented these planning profiles. No government agency, provider or property platform endorses them.
This page provides general planning information only. It is not financial, migration, legal, tenancy, tax, employment, healthcare or property advice. Read the Disclaimer and report a correction if a source or figure needs review.