More Bad News for Labour on Trans-Tasman Comparisons

It's well established that Australian wages are about 30% higher in Australia than New Zealand. But the counter argument frequently used is that living costs in Australia are higher.

And if you move to Sydney, that is correct - because of the high property prices. But move to any of the other major cities - Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth or Brisbane - and the cost of living is about the same.

Global company Mercer Human Resource Consulting has prepared a comparison of the Cost of Living for each city. It has used the cost of living in New York as it's base.

Sydney is the most expensive Australiasian city, at 73.7% of the cost of living at New York. Melbourne is second, at about 63%; then Auckland, at 62.4%; Wellington slightly cheaper at 61.5%; Brisbane at 59.1%; Adelaide at 58.6%; and finally Perth at 58.2%.

So if you are moving to Melbourne (which is a nicer city than Sydney) your living costs will be about the same, but a job with a similar skill level and seniority should pay significantly more.