Canberra travel budget

Canberra: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Canberra

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

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 82 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 18 per person
  • $ 13 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1980* (3038 $)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 113 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 66 per person
  • $ 21 per person
  • $ 16 per person

Total budget:

$ 4382* (6720 $)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 141 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 127 per person
  • $ 35 per person
  • $ 31 per person

Total budget:

$ 7302* (11186 $)

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



Cost of living in Canberra compared to United States in 2024

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Canberra in 2024 is 21% 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 Canberra in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):




Local prices in Canberra by expense type

Restaurant budget in Canberra

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Canberra is 33% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 34/person
($ 14 to $ 44)

64% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 69/person
($ 37 to $ 83)

79% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 10/person
($ 10 to $ 11)

6% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 8.8 for 500ml
($ 4.5 to $ 10)

47% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 6 for 330ml
($ 3.9 to $ 7.8)

68% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 3.8/cup
($ 2.9 to $ 4.9)

25% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 2.8/can
($ 1.9 to $ 3.5)

16% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.4/bottle
($ 1.9 to $ 2.9)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Canberra

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Canberra is 29% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 82/night
($ 82 to $ 936)

43% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 144
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 103/night
($ 65 to $ 285)

28% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 144
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 122/night
($ 71 to $ 327)

41% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 207
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 160/night
($ 98 to $ 576)

45% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 295
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 219/night
($ 148 to $ 443)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 508
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 112/month
($ 76 to $ 451)

21% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 143
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 178/month
($ 83 to $ 428)

14% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 207
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 164/month
($ 86 to $ 580)

13% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 190
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 120/month
($ 70 to $ 628)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226
Family room
Family room
$ 237/month
($ 95 to $ 873)

22% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 194

Supermarket food budget in Canberra

On average, the price of supermarket food in Canberra is 6% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.7/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 2.6)

65% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 2.5/500g
($ 1.4 to $ 3.2)

31% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Rice
Rice
$ 2.2/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 3.2)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6
Eggs
Eggs
$ 4.4/12 eggs
($ 2.3 to $ 6.7)

20% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7
Chicken
Chicken
$ 9/kg
($ 5.5 to $ 12)

26% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Apples
Apples
$ 3.4/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 4.2)

36% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 5.7/kg
($ 2.1 to $ 8.4)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.6/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 3.2)

13% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.3
($ 0.8 to $ 3)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Canberra

On average, the price of transport in Canberra is 18% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 3.1/ticket
($ 2.3 to $ 3.2)

24% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.7/km
($ 1.6 to $ 1.9)

2% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.1 to $ 1.6)

43% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 3.9
($ 3.9 to $ 4.2)

5% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Leisure activity budget in Canberra

On average, budget for leisure activities in Canberra is essentially the same as in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 16/ticket
($ 14 to $ 19)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15
Tennis
Tennis
$ 22/hr
($ 19 to $ 26)

6% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Canberra

On average, shopping budget in Canberra is 112% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 28/pack
($ 24 to $ 54)

162% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 95
($ 59 to $ 115)

77% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 54
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 88
($ 47 to $ 99)

96% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 45

Plane ticket budget

Melbourne → Canberra
Melbourne → Canberra
Melbourne → Canberra
$ 161
(fair price: $ 142)
Sydney → Canberra
Sydney → Canberra
Sydney → Canberra
$ 261
(fair price: $ 227)
London → Canberra
London → Canberra
London → Canberra
$ 1924
(fair price: $ 1514)
Auckland → Canberra
Auckland → Canberra
Auckland → Canberra
$ 652
(fair price: $ 543)
Los Angeles → Canberra
Los Angeles  → Canberra
Los Angeles  → Canberra
$ 1616
(fair price: $ 1329)
New York City → Canberra
New York City → Canberra
New York City → Canberra
$ 2042
(fair price: $ 1682)

Book a flight Flight prices to Canberra




About this information on the cost of living in Canberra

The information about the cost of living in Canberra shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Canberra was updated on 23-03-2024.

Change currency