Canberra Living Costs 2026: Housing Prices, Rent, Groceries Breakdown

In short: Canberra is one of Australia's higher cost capitals for housing, but it also has among the country's highest median household incomes, which offsets much of the pressure. Here is a practical breakdown as at early 2026.

Housing and rent

The ACT median house price sits around $952,000 and the median unit price around $620,000 as at early 2026, with units a common entry point for first home buyers. On the rental side, a three bedroom house rents for roughly $720 a week and a two bedroom unit around $530, with one bedroom apartments typically $400 to $600. The rental vacancy rate is very tight, around 1.2 per cent, so competition for rentals is strong.

Groceries

Weekly grocery spend for an ACT household averaged about $174 in recent surveys, broadly in line with Victoria and slightly below New South Wales.

Transport

Public transport runs on the MyWay+ system across buses and light rail, with fares including a free 90 minute transfer. Many households still run a car given Canberra's layout, so factor in fuel, registration and parking.

Utilities and other bills

Budget for electricity, gas, water, internet and mobile as in any Australian city. Canberra's cold winters can push heating costs up, so energy efficient homes are worth prioritising.

The income offset

Canberra's large public sector and professional workforce means median incomes are among the highest in Australia, which is why the city often feels comfortable despite premium housing costs. Your real cost of living depends heavily on whether you rent or own and which district you choose.

Figures are indicative and as at early 2026, and change over time. Confirm current prices before budgeting.

Related Canberra guides

• Best suburbs to live in Canberra
• Moving to Canberra: a complete guide
• The ACT Land Rent Scheme explained

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.