Perth vs Melbourne: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in Perth vs Melbourne: Perth runs about $2,640/mo all-in vs $2,710/mo in Melbourne — Perth is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and climate…
Perth and Melbourne cost about the same to live in, both feel similarly safe, and Melbourne has the better-rated internet. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: Perth is about $70/mo cheaper — $2,640/mo all-in vs $2,710/mo in Melbourne (one person).
- Rent: lower in Perth ($1,600/mo vs $1,700/mo for a typical place).
- Safety: closely matched (84/100 vs 82/100).
- Internet: Melbourne scores better for remote work (78/100 vs 86/100).
- Climate: Perth edges ahead (90/100 vs 72/100).
- Visa: easier to move to Perth — Perth's process is rated Moderate, Melbourne's Hard.
- Retirement/long-stay: Perth offers the Australia Retirement (410) Visa; Melbourne has no comparable retirement visa.
- Families: closely matched on family safety (86/100 vs 85/100).
- Local salaries: higher in Perth (~$5,200/mo vs ~$4,000/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Sunshine: Perth logs about 278 sunny days a year vs 200 in Melbourne.
Frequently asked questions
Is Perth or Melbourne cheaper to live in?
Perth costs about $2,640/month all-in for one person; Melbourne costs about $2,710/month. That makes Perth roughly $70/mo cheaper, though rent, food, and lifestyle choices shift the total.
How much cheaper is Perth than Melbourne?
About $70/month for a single person — $2,640/mo in Perth vs $2,710/mo in Melbourne, covering rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities, and everyday extras.
Which is safer, Perth or Melbourne?
They're closely matched — 84/100 for Perth and 82/100 for Melbourne. Neighbourhood choice matters more than the city here.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, Perth or Melbourne?
For connectivity, Melbourne rates higher (78/100 vs 86/100). On climate, Perth edges ahead (90/100 vs 72/100). Jonzy scores both against your income, passport, and priorities so you see which fits your setup.
Which is easier to get a visa for, Perth or Melbourne?
Perth's visa process is rated Moderate (about 8 weeks); Melbourne's is rated Hard (about 12 weeks). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare Perth and Melbourne for my situation?
Yes, open Jonzy, enter your income and passport, and get personalised Life Upgrade Scores for both cities. You can also share a side-by-side comparison link with a partner.