What rent and the move cost
Monthly rent and utilities for a one-bedroom, plus the one-time cost of getting there and settling in. The move covers the visa fee, a one-way flight with three extra bags (averaged across five US airports), three weeks of temporary lodging, the apartment move-in, a starter kit for the new place and a 10% cushion.
| City size | Example cities | Rent, 1BR | Utilities | One-time move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big city | Sydney, Melbourne | $2,109 | $245 | $12,726 |
| Mid-size city | Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast | $1,617 | $220 | $11,257 |
| Smaller town | Adelaide, Hobart | $1,300 | $195 | $10,242 |
Not included: groceries, transport and health insurance. Amounts in US dollars at the exchange rates in the planner’s data.
Getting in and staying
US citizens can stay up to 90 days with an ETA.
The planner’s remote route is the Work and Holiday visa, which is only open to ages 18 to 30. It asks you to show about $10,543 in savings. The application fee in the planner is about $2,189.
Visa rules change often. Check the official immigration or consular page before you apply. Our sources page explains where these figures come from.
Signing a lease
Plan on about 1.5 months’ rent up front when you sign: a four-week bond plus two weeks’ rent in advance. In a mid-size city that’s about $2,426.
Language and time zone
English is the main language. When it’s 9 a.m. in New York, it’s 1 a.m. in Sydney. Keeping full US working hours here means early mornings or late nights.
Worth knowing
It’s the most expensive of the ten countries to move to: about $11,257 for one person heading to a mid-size city, before a single week’s groceries.
See where you fit
The 1-minute quiz matches your income, savings and the kind of place you want with three of these ten countries. The Expat Relocation Planner builds the full budget for Australia with your own airport, household and savings.
More countries: Mexico · Costa Rica · Spain · Portugal · Thailand · Vietnam · Philippines · Indonesia · Japan