Report Reveals Income Needed to Live Comfortably Across Australian Cities
Best Financial Planners has released a new report revealing the income needed to live comfortably in 30 Australian cities, highlighting major cost-of-living gaps between metro and regional areas.
Australia, 3rd Jul 2025 – Best Financial Planners has released a new report revealing the estimated income required for single Australians to live comfortably in 30 cities across the country. The findings highlight significant cost-of-living differences between capital cities and regional centres—insights that are expected to inform financial planning decisions for individuals and families alike.
The research, conducted by Best Financial Planners using publicly available cost-of-living data, calculated the minimum annual salary needed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, considering expenses such as housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
The report found that Sydney requires the highest income to maintain a comfortable standard of living, with an estimated annual salary of nearly $60,000 (or almost $32 hourly wage). In contrast, cities like Bendigo and Bundaberg offer significantly lower thresholds, with comfortable living achievable on incomes closer to $30,000–$33,000 per year (or $16-$17.50 per hour).
“These findings illustrate just how much geography influences the cost of financial comfort,” said Beth Rivera, director at Best Financial Planners. “Whether someone is relocating, budgeting for their future, or evaluating their financial goals, this report provides a valuable starting point.”
The report underscores the importance of tailoring financial strategies to an individual’s location and lifestyle expectations. Best Financial Planners encourages Australians to use this data when evaluating their financial wellbeing and seeking guidance from qualified financial advisors.
The full report is available here.
Methodology
Best Financial Planners analysed data from sources including StudyAustralia and Numbeo to estimate the minimum income required for a single adult to live comfortably in 30 Australian cities. Calculations included essential living costs such as rent, groceries, transport, utilities, healthcare, and other core expenses.
About Best Financial Planners
Best Financial Planners is a platform that connects individuals and couples with top-rated financial advisors across Australia. Their mission is to make financial planning accessible, understandable, and tailored to life’s most important moments.
Media Contact
Organization: Best Financial Planners
Contact Person: Beth Rivera
Website: https://bestfinancialplanners.com.au/
Email: Send Email
Country: Australia
Release Id: 03072530094