Steve2009

Except that would ignore it's main competitors i.e. the other big cities.

ABCDiamond

That report only takes account of housing rental costs, and not buying properties, as it is created for temporary expatriate assignments.

Also this bit should be noted from that report: "The Australian Dollar and the New Zealand Dollar have strongly strengthened against the US Dollar, which has moved the cities up in the ranking."
This means that the report is saying: The cost of living in Australia, when earning a US$ salary, is now higher than it was.

Does this report mean anything to anyone other than a US$ salary earner working in Australia or anywhere else in the world ?

spartacus

It would be best to think of them as national capitals also.

Steve2009

The 'basket of goods' is also a little unusual. Not typical for a resident I would think, more for a visiting worker.

Steve2009

The major pros for QLD are the weather and the more laid back lifestyle with less congestion etc and the cheaper housing. This is offset though against the lower incomes and less opportunities.

spartacus

Compared to where?

ABCDiamond

Average Annual Full Time Male wages 2009

$66,586 QLD
$70,356 NSW
$64,724 SA

spartacus

Do you have stats for average wages for cities in the same state (i.e Cairns / Mt Isa / Warwick / Brisbane - to name a few)?

geordie mandy

Interesting there is no data for Vic and NT
Mandy

Amazulu

Depands what you do. An electrical engineer will earn more in Brisbane that he would in Melbourne, Sydney or Adelaide - and have more opportunities.

Steve2009

That's true. It depends on what sector you're in. In many cases those imbalances though, aren't sustainable for various reasons, unless you're part of a highly unionised or protected workforce.

ABCDiamond

Or Tas and WA and ACT.

It is all available if people want it.

odyssey

I would be interested to hear from anyone here who earns less than 90k a year gross, who has a mortgage and who is not struggling (not including spending savings from the uk).

Everyone I know seems to have to supplement their income with "other money"

To me it seems like 100k is the magic figure where you are not completely skint. IF you dont have a house in the uk and want to buy one here, the cheapest is approx 400k - so thats repayments of around $32000 per year.

ABCDiamond

Those figures have only been released today, I haven't had time yet to transfer them to a readable format.

To be done...

fish.01

Only as a comparison of living costs between cities (when renting) I guess.