Cost of Living in Australia
Inflation, rent, earnings and unemployment in Australia on one page, from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
- Inflation, annual
- +4.3%
- Year to Sep 2026
- Average weekly earnings
- $2,157
- H1 2026
- Median weekly rent
- $282
- Census 2021
- Unemployment rate
- 4.7%
- Sep 2026
Sources: ABS Consumer Price Index (Sep 2026), Average Weekly Earnings (full-time adults, 2026-S1), Labour Force (Sep 2026), Census 2021 (median of suburb median rents).
Data pages
Each page has charts, state breakdowns and historical data from official ABS sources.
- Inflation rateCPI by capital city and category.
- Unemployment rateLabour force figures by state, with the trend.
- Wage growthWage Price Index against CPI.
- Average salaryEarnings by industry and state.
- House pricesDwelling prices and trends by city.
- PopulationState breakdown and age profile.
- Suburb profilesCensus 2021 profiles for 14,663 suburbs and localities.
Cost of living by state
Average of suburb median incomes and rents in each state, from 14,663 suburb and locality profiles, Census 2021.
Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing
| State | Residents | Avg income | Avg rent | Rent to income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 8,072,118 | $783/wk | $341/wk | 44% |
| Victoria | 6,503,500 | $780/wk | $274/wk | 35% |
| Queensland | 5,156,239 | $761/wk | $290/wk | 38% |
| Western Australia | 2,660,111 | $914/wk | $270/wk | 30% |
| South Australia | 1,781,649 | $764/wk | $246/wk | 32% |
| Tasmania | 557,693 | $679/wk | $256/wk | 38% |
| Australian Capital Territory | 454,464 | $1,200/wk | $434/wk | 36% |
| Northern Territory | 232,575 | $766/wk | $206/wk | 27% |
| Other Territories | 4,796 | $917/wk | $160/wk | 17% |
Price change by category
Annual change in prices for each CPI category, year to Sep 2026.
- Automotive fuel +23.6%
- Electricity +12.8%
- Water and sewerage +10.2%
- Utilities +9.5%
- Private motoring +9.4%
- Transport +8.7%
- Beef and veal +5.8%
- Insurance +5.4%
- Milk +5.4%
- Housing +5.2%
- Medical and hospital services +4.8%
- Alcohol and tobacco +4.3%
- Restaurant meals +4.1%
- Meals out and take away foods +3.9%
- Take away and fast foods +3.6%
- Rents +3.5%
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages +3.2%
- Communication +2.3%
- Bread +2.3%
- Cheese +1.8%
- Motor vehicles +1.4%
- Gas and other household fuels +1.0%
- Poultry +0.4%
- Coffee, tea and cocoa −1.0%
- Pharmaceutical products −1.4%
- Eggs −2.3%
Data sources
ABS Consumer Price Index (6401.0)
Measures price changes. Used for the inflation rate and category breakdown.
ABS CPIABS Average Weekly Earnings (6302.0)
Biannual survey of employee earnings by state, industry and demographic.
ABS AWEABS Labour Force (6202.0)
Monthly unemployment and participation rates, national and by state.
ABS Labour ForceABS Census 2021
14,663 suburb and locality profiles with income, rent, age, mortgage and household data.