Skyline of Launceston
Cost of Living: 65 87,678

Launceston, Australia

Tasmania's northern city with Cataract Gorge, Tamar Valley wine region, and beautifully preserved Victorian streets.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 65

Below Average vs Australia Avg (100)

Housing Index 60

Affordable

Median Income A$58,000

Household income

Unemployment 6.0%

Job market health

Launceston vs Australia Average

Cost of Living
Launceston: 65
Australia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Launceston: 60
Australia Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Launceston: 32.5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 32.5%
  • Sales Tax: 10.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: A$58,000
  • Unemployment: 6.0%
  • Population: 87,678

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 220/year
  • Summer High: 74°F
  • Winter Low: 38°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: A$320,000
  • 1BR Rent: A$950/mo

Cost of Living

Launceston's cost of living index is 65 (Australia average = 100).

CategoryLauncestonNational AverageDifference
Overall65100-35.0%
Housing60100-40.0%

Data source: ABS, Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceA$320,000
Median Rent (1BR)A$950/mo
Median Rent (2BR)A$1,188/mo
Price per Sq FtA$213

Data source: CoreLogic, Domain, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

A$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
A$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Launceston:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityA$150
Heating & CoolingA$25Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterA$60Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)A$70Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesA$305Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: AER, Sydney Water, ACCC 2025

Remote Work Score

Launceston scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
65
Rent
A$950
Sunny Days
220
Tax
32.5%
Unemployment
6.0%
Climate
74°F / 38°F
Safety
0.8 homicides/100k
Population
87,678
Internet Speed
80 Mbps

Climate

Launceston has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January58°F38°F2.5"
April59°F53°F2.8"
July74°F49°F1.5"
October54°F56°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Launceston faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat across much of the continent.

Cyclone High Risk

Significant cyclone risk.

Drought High Risk

Frequent droughts across much of the continent.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Bushfire risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Winter storms.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Eastern Australia experiences tornadoes.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in interior regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 32.5%
  • Sales Tax: 10%
  • Property Tax: ~0.5% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 6.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Launceston per 100,000 residents:

365.0
Violent Crime
2,605.0
Property Crime
0.8
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Academic Year Early February to December
Term System Quarter — Term 1 (Jan-Apr), Term 2 (Apr-Jun), Term 3 (Jul-Sep), Term 4 (Oct-Dec)
Summer Break December to February (7 weeks)
Winter Break July (2 weeks)
Spring Break April (2 weeks, Easter)

Tasmanian Department of Education sets the calendar.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Launceston, Australia?

The cost of living index in Launceston is 65, which is Lower the Australia national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Launceston?

The median home price in Launceston is A$320,000. The housing index is 60.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Launceston is approximately A$950/mo.

Does Launceston, TAS have income tax?

Launceston is in TAS, which has an income tax rate of 32.5%.

What is the climate like in Launceston?

Launceston enjoys approximately 220 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 74°F, while winter lows can drop to around 38°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: ABS, Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: CoreLogic, Domain, 2026
  • Income & Employment: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities AER, Sydney Water, ACCC 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.