How expensive is Cairns?

Compared with Australia's capital cities, Cairns is a far more affordable place to buy a house, send a child to private school, use childcare and park your car! Cost-of-living estimates for Cairns come in around $1500-$2100 monthly*, far lower than capital cities and on par with other major regional centres.



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Units in Cairns North top the list for highest property price declines, and this is due to the loss of international visitors that typically flock to the Queensland city. “Cairns' reliance on tourism is a big factor in its relatively poor performance,” Conisbee said.

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It's a great place to live if you want a more natural life, if you like to hike, or if you'd like to see your kids out riding bikes or jumping in creeks after school. Cairns is also a great place to live if you'd like to make an impact in your community or career.

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Compared with Australia's capital cities, Cairns is a far more affordable place to buy a house, send a child to private school, use childcare and park your car! Cost-of-living estimates for Cairns come in around $1500-$2100 monthly*, far lower than capital cities and on par with other major regional centres.

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According to Expatistan, this means Australia is one of the most expensive countries to live (ranked 9 out of 69). Generally, a higher cost of living means that basic expenses have become – well, expensive.

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Seafood. One of the must-try dishes in Cairns is the seafood. Being located on the coast, Cairns has access to some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in Australia. Local specialties include barramundi, coral trout, and mud crab.

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Honestly, a lifetime is not enough to explore and enjoy all the amazing natural wonders of Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. But if you can't spend your life on holiday, we recommend at least three days in Cairns to discover the main attractions. If you have more time, great!

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Cairns City is known for sunny weather, warm winters, and for being the gateway to the tropics of Australia. The town itself is small, it's easy to walk around the entire city in a day, or jump on a shuttle or bus to get around.

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Winter (June – August) Winter in Cairns brings slightly cooler temperatures and lower humidity, making it the peak tourist season. Average temperatures range from 17.5 - 26°C (63.5 - 78.8°F) and there is low rainfall.

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Yes you can swim in Cairns beaches, however it can be very dangerous between the months of November – May. Most locals would recommend swimming in freshwater lagoons, lakes and waterfalls to avoid crocodiles, jellyfish and other dangerous animals in the sea.

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Cairns is one of the most beautiful tropical cities in Australia. It is also the closest city to the Great Barrier Reef. Getting around Cairns can actually be very easy without a car. If you plan to stay within the city centre, you can walk, or use a bike to get around.

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