Travel budget and cost of living in Cairns (Australia) how much does a trip cost?

Cairns travel budget

Cairns: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Cairns

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Cairns for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Cairns compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Cairns in 2024 is 10% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Cairns in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Cairns by expense type

Restaurant budget in Cairns

Lunch

$ 18/person
($ 5.2 to $ 30)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 56/person
($ 46 to $ 66)

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44% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 39

McDonald's meal

$ 10/person
($ 10 to $ 11)

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9% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 6.2 for 500ml
($ 3.9 to $ 8.4)

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3% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 3.6 for 330ml
($ 1.9 to $ 4.6)

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1% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 3.9/cup
($ 3.2 to $ 4.6)

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23% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 2.9/can
($ 2.6 to $ 3.2)

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18% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 2.5/bottle
($ 2.2 to $ 2.6)

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19% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Cairns

1-star hotel

$ 138/night
($ 43 to $ 702)

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3% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 142

2-star hotel

$ 115/night
($ 42 to $ 420)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 142

3-star hotel

$ 119/night
($ 51 to $ 398)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 204

4-star hotel

$ 189/night
($ 62 to $ 648)

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34% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 291

5-star hotel

$ 282/night
($ 134 to $ 1177)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 501

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 107/month
($ 42 to $ 384)

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24% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 141

Room with kitchen

$ 186/month
($ 44 to $ 1007)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 204

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 171/month
($ 46 to $ 1015)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 187

Cottage or guest house

$ 152/month
($ 139 to $ 168)

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31% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222

Family room

$ 240/month
($ 74 to $ 1071)

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26% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 191

Supermarket food budget in Cairns

Milk

$ 1.7/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.9)

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59% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 2.5/500g
($ 1.9 to $ 3.9)

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31% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 2/kg
($ 1 to $ 2.9)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 3.9/12 eggs
($ 2.8 to $ 5.4)

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7% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Chicken

$ 9.3/kg
($ 6.5 to $ 13)

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23% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 3/kg
($ 2.6 to $ 3.9)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 7.1/kg
($ 3.9 to $ 11)

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47% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 2.2/kg
($ 1.6 to $ 2.6)

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25% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3

Water bottle

$ 2.9
($ 0.6 to $ 4.6)

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34% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Cairns

Bus ticket

$ 1.3/ticket
($ 0.7 to $ 3.2)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 3.2/km
( $ 3.2)

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87% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.2/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 1.2)

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16% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3.8
( $ 3.8)

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3% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Car hire

$ 46/24hrs
($ 26 to $ 194)

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49% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 31

Leisure activity budget in Cairns

Cinema

$ 14/ticket
($ 14 to $ 14)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 10/hr
( $ 10)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 24

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Cairns

Cigarettes

$ 30/pack
($ 30 to $ 30)

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192% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 68
($ 21 to $ 99)

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26% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54

Summer dress

$ 62
($ 59 to $ 66)

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42% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Melbourne → Cairns

$ 256
(fair price: $ 208)

Sydney → Cairns

$ 231
(fair price: $ 197)

London → Cairns

$ 1686
(fair price: $ 1413)

Auckland → Cairns

$ 651
(fair price: $ 525)

Manchester → Cairns

$ 1883
(fair price: $ 1563)

Los Angeles → Cairns

$ 1605
(fair price: $ 1297)

Book a flight Flight prices to Cairns