How Expensive is Living in Australia? 1 Month on $1000

In this video I talk about personal experience with cost of living here in Australia. I currently live in Cairns up in the tropical north of Australia and compare it with the cost of living in places like Sydney or Melbourne. In this video I go over exactly what I pay for transportation, accommodation and food. I also compare cheaper options that I have seen others use or have used myself.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
0:54 - Accomodation
3:56 - Food & Groceries
5:55 - Transportation
9:07 - Final Budget
I hope video helps you if you are looking to move to Aus or are intimidated by everyone saying that it is so expensive here. Cheers!

[@albosmum5210]

I'm glad you did this. Australia is so much more than just Sydney and Melbourne. I'm a bit concerned you are relying on fast prepared food even from a supermarket. That doesn't look particularly healthy. I would be doing much more cooking at home with fresh ingredients eg simple stir-fries ,simple easy meals. I know it's a stereotype , but I find many Americans can't cook and rely on ready prepared and even frozen meals. Big hint while still in Cairns: make use of fresh fruit and vegies at Rusty"s Markets in town. Cheaper than the big supermarkets, larger variety and fresh. Get there early on Saturday or Sunday.

[@gregjameson327]

Haha I eat mostly stuff I cook though I prepare almost the same thing everyday ^

[@Jeni10]

That’s an expensive lunch! Don’t buy fast food, make your own meals at home, it’s much cheaper. Just choose wisely. For example, buy fresh chicken drumsticks and freeze them in meal portions. (They cost about $1.40 each, in packs of seven to ten.). Pan fry or air fry as needed. You can cook rice in the microwave in 20 minutes. You can buy frozen vegies and steam some for each meal.

[@paulbui1410]

The roast chicken at woolies/coles is an amazing budget option when they are discounted.

[@The_Jupiter2_Mission]

Important to point out the wages here are higher. We don't have a tipping culture and that is reflected in the higher wage. You have to factor that in in working out a ingoings and outgoings. The pre-made foods even at Woolies are not that cheap. You'd be best to buy those big frozen sausage rolls in the supermarket and heat them up if you have that facility to do so. Fast food is also not exactly cheap. Again, it'll work out cheaper to but the ingredients and cook them yourself.

[@gregjameson327]

Haha yea I make most of my food at home the convenience lunch is a better example of what I ate while at a hostel

[@JB-lx8cw]

Good point. Often an important and forgotten part of working in Australia.

[@Jeni10]

You can live cheaply in Sydney and Melbourne too, it just depends on the area you choose and the location, eg close to the beach will be more expensive because beach locations are limited and highly prized.

[@robertmurray8763]

Living in a rural area can be cheaper for rent. Even to buy . I bought a nice two bed, one 🚻 and half unit refurbished. Unit size 70 square metres and 85 square metres of land including carport,for A$220,000

[@FillH2os]

Try doing it the other way. We were in Hawaii not long ago. 2 $23 cocktails, including tax and tip. When converted to the cost in Aussie dollars. Over $90. After I picked myself off the floor, I had to have another drink!

[@gregjameson327]

Hahaha fair enough. Hawaii is notoriously expensive tho, since everything is imported there

[@kevinpaine7893]

Quick FYI. You don't have an e-bike you have an unregistered electric motorbike. Qld laws require that the engine in an e-bike only operate when pedaling and to cut out once you reach 25kmh. Cairns has a high number of these electric bikes but the police rarely do anything about them unless involved in an accident.

[@gregjameson327]

Yup mine was compliant! Not sure if she even runs properly now tho

[@nathanholland4877]

Something I do when I am wanting to eat fast and cheap is get myself a 12 pack of Maggi 2 minute noodles and a carton of eggs. Usually $10 for the 12 pack noodles and $6 for the eggs. Eat 2 packs of noodles with one egg cooked through it and this ends up being roughly a $2.50 meal that is quick and easy.

[@jenniferharrison8915]

Add some brussel sprouts or broccoli or peas - filling meal!

[@stevegraham3817]

Add some frozen peas and corn mix, a couple of frozen goyas/dim sims/dumplings, a splash of oyster and/or soy, a couple of tablespoons of diced ham or bacon, and you have an almost substantial, almost balanced meal for $3. lol

[@JB-lx8cw]

Adding to the list above, you can add fresh spring onions or Asian condiments such as dried onions, chilli etc

[@jenniferharrison8915]

Great break down and advice, I didn't see any vegetables or fruit there, hope that's in your budget too! Definitely shop later in the day to get the specials on hot food! Excellent video as usual, I need an ebike! 🙋👍

[@FionaEm]

It's actually unusual for rent to include electricity, water etc. They're usually metered, so you deal with the utility companies directly. P.S. What's with everyone shaming your food choices? You're young enough to eat crap and get away with it 😅

[@gregjameson327]

Haha don’t tell me that! Then I’ll really start eating a bunch of junk food^^

[@GeeEee75]

Is it unusual for international share houses though, where there might not be anyone who is prepared to take responsibility for collecting the money and paying the bills?

[@rlb3339]

Go the E-bike! Sounds like the best and most cost-effective way to get around town. For food shopping, is there a local Aldi in Cairns? Usually, they are cheaper than Woolies or Coles. Any weekend farmers markets there? They are a good way to get some decent pricing on fruit and vegetables to add to your meal plans, to cut down food costs. Good on you for making some mates to chill with. Hope they don't try to hustle you out of your coins in a few games of poker. Also, what do you call a burnt down Woolworths? Coles (Coals)!

[@gregjameson327]

Hahah nahh I'd beat em at poker. Takumi can't bluff for his life. I do eat fruit and veg in the food I make at home, not so much when I'm on the go tbh haha

[@deano305]

Glad you’re enjoying it! Surprised by your room price in Cairns, I rent a 3 bedroom apartment 1 hour from Sydney for $420 per week. Just word of warning about the Elsctric Scooters, gotta check each states legislation as I know in NSW you can buy them but can’t use them 😅 (this will change but takes time…)

[@gregjameson327]

Haha just checked in QLD you don’t need one for the electric bike yet. 3 bed for 420 per week is crazy to me! You’ve gotta be getting such agood deal on that

[@wendylawrence378]

The rent prices up here (cairns) have gone mental. 3 years ago we were paying $410/wk for a 3bed HOUSE with big yard and super close access to shops. We were fortunate to buy it before prices went nuts. Current rental price guide for same house is $640/week.

[@robalexander7348]

A Interesting video Greg, Please use a cycle helmet, they are compulsory here, or its a fine ☹ nsw

[@Paddyb522]

A great informative vlog Greg. Hope you have a great week! 👍

[@gregjameson327]

Thanks Paddy!

[@libatalklieb5793]

informative? this is BS, don't believe this garbage.

[@michaelmayo9048]

At 30 degrees celcius we dont sweat riding a bike in Melbourne. Not even at 40 celcius 100f..no humidity.😊

[@gregjameson327]

Ah yea 30 still isn’t quite that hot I guess. Whoops

[@user-lm1re1sw2e]

@@gregjameson327 Depends on the humidity and Cairns is humid except in winter.

[@VivianChui-xs4eo]

Thanks for your sharing! This is a useful information as I’m going to Cairns this end of July. May I know what app you used to find a share house? Thanks!

[@gregjameson327]

Flatmates

[@gregjameson327]

Definitely better than going on Facebook here ^

[@michaelmayo9048]

E bikes are better than peddling mine does 40klmph but l had it up to 58klmph on a slope..my Kawasaki klx 450 dirt bike does 150klmph.l mostly ride dirt l have road registration and a motorcycle licence ..l also have a car to...l dont use public transport Well maybe 2 times a year if l go into the Melbourne city centre..parking is expensive in there.

[@scottbrazier]

Aldi Supermarket and Woolworths are the best and cheapest to buy groceries Greg. You have a lot of meal options for minced beef or ground beef as it is called in America. Finally, sausage roll, try it in a bread roll with tomato sauce. Regards Scott

[@gregjameson327]

Thanks Scott I actually use ground beef a lot here! I’ll have to give the bread sausage roll a go !

[@castilloerict]

Hi. May I know which area in Cairns is not prone to flooding. Thank you.

[@michaelmayo9048]

A Waiters wage entry level is $1,000 per week...

[@gregjameson327]

If you can get full time hours ^^

[@cr8114]

greg my workmate friend

[@michaelmayo9048]

Eat at home buy from coles or aldi supermarkets...4 meat pies $5.00 large bottle drink /soda $1.25 c . 4 Doughnuts or family size cake about $ 3.50. dollars total $9.75.. then you still got pies n cake for 3 more lunches.

[@user-sm2pk8xf1l]

Plus ambulance cover for the inevitable heart attack that will come from living on pies, doughnuts and soft drinks.

[@leedoulman6027]

Why would you live on doughnuts and pies for lunch and sugar drinks and rot your teeth and have trouble shitting with that crap cheaper to buy sty fry and cook it

[@michaelmayo9048]

@@leedoulman6027 l was just putting similar to his lunch...for way less $... but nothing wrong with meat pies...

[@leedoulman6027]

@@michaelmayo9048 yes mate love meat pie here and there

[@leedoulman6027]

That food is not good for you at all but frozen stir fry and two chicken filets from woollies cheaper for two lunches think better greg

[@gregjameson327]

Fair enough I figured nobody would be interested in the stuff I cooked at home tbh. Maybe I’ll have to make a video on eating healthy here^

[@leedoulman6027]

@@gregjameson327 yes should try mate don’t be scared do it

[@rrocketman]

Everything goin down the dunny in australia

[@gregjameson327]

Haha that’s the first I’ve heard that one. Dunny slang for toilet?

[@GeeEee75]

Compared to a lot of other countries, we have it good here.

[@Coolwow437]

Hey James just came Across your channel I’m originally from Townsville moved to Sydney I’m a pilot, Sydney is expensive I brought my apartment I share with my best mate it helps maybe try discount loyalty Woolworths rewards card save money and 10 dollars off your shop

[@gregjameson327]

The bar I works closely with Woolworth's group so I get the "Team Member" rewards card. It's so hype, always shaves a dollar or two anytime I go in!

[@libatalklieb5793]

You would live a miserable life on 250 bucks a week in Australia.

[@gregjameson327]

Yea the $1000 is quite a brutal budget. What I have been paying is actually more realistic. If I had a roommate like Takumi I’d be pretty close to the 1000 though

[@richardwilliamson9763]

You look pretty healthy, considering you eat crap like that.

[@gregjameson327]

Lol thats only on occasion, Thats not what I eat everyday! Typically I'll make chicken, beef or fish at home with veggies lol

[@leedoulman6027]

Well don’t bull shit tell the truth you eat better food

[@leedoulman6027]

@@gregjameson327well you should show back packers how healthy you eat then and how much it cost you, don’t promote shit food that cost more then cooking healthy food from supermarkets your making out you eat this bad shit every day we don’t all eat like that at all nor do you do show us you eat better then

[@aliciashepherd1805]

hahaha just right when the big abandonment from Australia starts, anyone staying here will be starving to death within 8 years.

[@libatalklieb5793]

Mate you are full of it. Click bait.

[@indica8510]

Prior to the migrant invasion before lunch was only 20 min people use to go to the pub and get counter meals. Lunch is $60 if you actually want to eat it and do any meaningful exercise.

[@budawang77]

Inflation is mostly due to over stimulus of the economy during the pandemic, supply chain issues and more recently wage increases.

[@GeeEee75]

Invasion? Paranoid, much?

[@coopsnz1]

studio apartment sold in bondi $600000 in mantthan new york $130000AUD

[@coopsnz1]

more than 125 taxes you get tax to hell here

[@budawang77]

Australia is actually one of the lowest taxed countries amongst developed countries.

[@coopsnz1]

@@budawang77 no it not a ferrari tax $250000 more than usa get bent lefty

[@budawang77]

@@coopsnz1 You’re referring to one particular tax: the luxury car tax. Overall taxation however is similar and Australia is running budget surpluses, unlike the US, so it is more sustainable in the long run.

[@coopsnz1]

@@budawang77 used ferrai tax to hell here too in nz $130000 07 f430