Cost of Living in Toowoomba: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

Located in the Darling Downs region of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba is a beautiful city in Australia. After Canberra, Toowoomba is the second-most populous city. The city is home to hundreds of flower gardens and parks. Being the Garden City of Australia, Toowoomba retains its beauty with its growing urban coffee culture and street art scene. But, before relocating to Toowoomba, students should be aware of the average cost of living in Toowoomba to ensure they can budget appropriately and live comfortably there.

The cost of living in Toowoomba is affordable. Being an attractive destination, the city offers a relaxed lifestyle and affordable accommodation for students. There are plentiful schools and educational facilities. The University of Southern Queensland is the most famous University of Toowoomba. Apart from education, it also offers great employment facilities so that international students can easily manage the cost of living in Toowoomba. Read this blog to get details on the cost of living in Toowoomba.

Cost of Living in Toowoomba 

The average cost of living in Toowoomba is around AUD 2381 including the rent according to the livingcost data. But, this amount may vary depending on an individual’s lifestyle, needs, and expenses. The cost of living in Toowoomba comprises various expenses, including utility bills, housing rent, travel passes, personal expenses, food, and grocery expenses.

Below, we provide an overview of the average living expenses in Burnaby across different categories for those considering residing in this vibrant Australian city. If you are planning to live in then, you must consider the following factors to get an estimate of expenses in Toowoomba:

Also Read: Cost of Living in Southampton: A Complete Guide on Expenses

Cost of Accommodation in Toowoomba 

The expenses of accommodation in Toowoomba depend upon the type of housing inside or outside the city centre as well as on the type of apartment you are booking. If you choose to stay in the hostel, your living expenses in Toowoomba for students can be lower, however, if you want a private space, your average rent for a room apartment can be around AUD 1224 to AUD 1500 per month.

Before moving to Toowoomba it is essential to carefully research and compare the rental apartments and their cost for different areas to ensure whether they meet your needs and budget. Mentioned below are the rent of apartments inside and outside the city centre in Toowoomba:

Type of Accommodation	Approx Rent per month
1 bedroom apartment in the city centre	AUD 1,500.00
1 bedroom apartment outside the city centre	AUD 1,400.00
3 bedroom apartment outside the city centre	AUD 1800.00
3-bedroom apartment in City Center	AUD 2,233.33

Cost of Food in Toowoomba

The average monthly food expenses for a person in Toowoomba are around AUD 789, according to livingcost data. Students have the opportunity to explore Toowoomba’s diverse restaurant scene. Dining out in Toowoomba can be delightful. However, food costs can vary significantly based on factors such as the restaurant’s location, type of cuisine, and the number of diners.

Food cost varies from place to place. As a student, you could manage the food cost either by cooking your food or eating at a university mess. Prices of some grocery items and food at restaurants in Toowoomba are listed below:

Types of Food	Approx Cost
Lunch Menu	AUD 21.2
Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2	AUD 61
Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald’s	AUD 13.4
Cappuccino	AUD 5.39
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	AUD 1.73
Fresh White Bread (500g)	AUD 2.78
Rice (white), (1kg)	AUD 2.53
Eggs (regular) (12)	AUD 5.29
Local Cheese (1kg)	AUD 14.6
Apples (1kg)	AUD 4.37
Banana (1kg)	AUD 3.35
Oranges (1kg)	AUD 3.68
Tomato (1kg)	AUD 4.34
Potato (1kg)	AUD 3.05
Onion (1kg)	AUD 3.22
Lettuce (1 head)	AUD 3.45
Water (1 liter bottle)	AUD 2.24

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Cost of Transportation in Toowoomba

It is important to evaluate Travel costs in Toowoomba for you as a student because you will have to commute to and from college. For your reference, we have given the average transportation cost in Toowoomba in the table below.

So that you can estimate and add your transportation budget to your cost of living in Toowoomba accordingly. Take an overview of some of the general transportation that an individual could opt for while living in Toowoomba:

Transport	Approx Cost
A one-way ticket for local transport	AUD 4.01
Taxi for around 8 km	AUD 22.8
Monthly pass of local transport	AUD 39.8
Gasoline (1 lit)	AUD 1.78

Cost of Utilities in Toowoomba

Utilities in Toowoomba encompass a range of essential services that contribute to enhancing the quality of life for residents. The services that are included in utility are electricity, water, heating, internet, and garbage. Understanding the cost of basic utilities can help students to manage household expenses effectively there.

The basic monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Toowoomba could be around AUD 78.9. However, planning your monthly cost of living in Toowoomba must include utility expenses as they can affect your overall costs. The table below provides an overview of the general utilities that are used in daily life and their costs:

Type of Utility	Approx Cost
Monthly plan of mobile phone including calls and 10 GB data	AUD 55.25
Basic electricity, water, heating, cooling and garbage bills for 85-meter square apartment	AUD 116.67
60 Mbps internet, unlimited data as well as Cable/ADSL	AUD 71.67

Miscellaneous Costs in Toowoomba

Apart from accommodation, food, and travel costs, you may need to consider a few miscellaneous expenses while living in Toowoomba, such as gym subscriptions, movie tickets, clothing, and occasional doctor’s appointments. These miscellaneous expenses can add up over time, so it’s important to account for them in your budget.

These expenses can vary depending on individual lifestyles and preferences. Please refer to the table below for a detailed list of these miscellaneous expenses.

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	CAD 18.3
Brand Jeans	CAD 96.4
Fitness Club (Gym Membership)	CAD 54.2
Brand Sneakers	CAD 133
Doctor’s visit	CAD 68

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Average Cost of Studying in Toowoomba

Pursuing higher education in Toowoomba can be affordable among the nearby cities and countries, and it will not affect that much your cost of living in Toowoomba. The average of studying in Toowoomba at the most reputed university i.e., the University of Southern Queensland is approximately AUD 21,705 to AUD 28,240.

So prospective students should carefully consider their educational goals and financial resources for universities if Toowoomba.

Cost of Living in Toowoomba Compared to Other Cities

Toowoomba is commonly considered a moderately reasonable city to live in comparison to some cities or states in Australia. When comparing the cost of living in Toowoomba to other areas, several aspects come into the picture, like housing, transportation, food, entertainment, etc. Toowoomba remains an attractive option within Australia for those seeking a balanced lifestyle with lower living expenses.

So to give you an idea of ​​how the cost of living in Toowoomba compares to other cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane London and Perth. We’ve given the cost of living in other cities. Please have a look:

Cost of Living City Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Toowoomba
Cost of Living in Melbourne	AUD 3615 (including rent)	Higher than Toowoomba
Cost of Living in Sydney	AUD 4206 (including rent)	Higher than Toowoomba
Cost of living in London	AUD 5096 (including rent)	Higher than Toowoomba
Cost of Living in Perth	AUD 3518 (including rent)	Higher than Toowoomba
Cost of Living in Brisbane	AUD 3616 (including rent)	Higher than Toowoomba

Why Choose Toowoomba?

Apart from the affordable cost of living in Toowoomba, you might wonder, as an international student, why you should choose Toowoomba for higher studies. Then, let me tell you about the beauty, facilities, lifestyle, tourism, education, and work opportunities that will definitely attract you to this city of Australia. 

Toowoomba prioritizes infrastructure, it offers public transportation facilities so that people can easily explore the city at affordable fares. As it is a regional area and has a family-friendly atmosphere, it is a great place to study and stay for higher education.

All this information regarding the expenses gives a brief insight into the Cost of Living in Toowoomba, Australia. It has covered various expenses, like accommodation, utilities, transportation, etc. This expenditure data could help international students plan their budgets accordingly. However, there may be variations in cost, so you can verify the latest prices as they may switch over a period of time. 

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Cost of Living in Australia: A 2023 Guide	Cost of Living in Perth: A Comprehensive Guide
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FAQs on Cost of Living in Toowoomba

This was all about the Cost of Living in Toowoomba. If you have further queries or need assistance with your study abroad journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts at Leverage Edu. We are here to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for you.