Is Perth cheaper than Melbourne?

Generally, yes: Perth is often cheaper than Melbourne overall, but the difference depends on what you’re comparing.

• Housing: Perth is usually cheaper for home prices than Melbourne, though this can vary by suburb and market conditions.
• Rent: the gap can be smaller than many people expect, and Perth rents have at times risen close to Melbourne levels.
• Day-to-day costs: groceries, transport, and services are often a bit lower in Perth, but this varies.
• Income: some Perth industries, especially resources and mining, can pay more, but higher pay does not necessarily mean Perth is cheaper in a strict cost-of-living sense.

So the short answer is: Perth is generally cheaper than Melbourne, but not always by a lot, and rent is the main category to check carefully before deciding. Exact prices can change, so it’s worth checking current local listings and official cost-of-living data.