Skyline of Rockhampton
Cost of Living: 68 80,665

Rockhampton, Australia

Central Queensland's beef capital with the Fitzroy River, Great Keppel Island, and historic architecture.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 68

Below Average vs Australia Avg (100)

Housing Index 64

Affordable

Median Income A$64,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.5%

Job market health

Rockhampton vs Australia Average

Cost of Living
Rockhampton: 68
Australia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Rockhampton: 64
Australia Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Rockhampton: 32.5%

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: A$64,000
  • Unemployment: 5.5%
  • Population: 80,665

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 260/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 52°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Housing

  • Median Home: A$360,000
  • 1BR Rent: A$1050/mo

Cost of Living

Rockhampton's cost of living index is 68 (Australia average = 100).

CategoryRockhamptonNational AverageDifference
Overall68100-32.0%
Housing64100-36.0%

Data source: ABS, Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceA$360,000
Median Rent (1BR)A$1050/mo
Median Rent (2BR)A$1,313/mo
Price per Sq FtA$240

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 Rockhampton:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityA$150
Heating & CoolingA$2Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)A$3Estimated 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$285Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: AER, Sydney Water, ACCC 2025

Remote Work Score

Rockhampton scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
68
Rent
A$1050
Sunny Days
260
Tax
32.5%
Unemployment
5.5%
Climate
86°F / 52°F
Safety
0.8 homicides/100k
Population
80,665
Internet Speed
80 Mbps

Climate

Rockhampton has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January72°F52°F2.5"
April71°F67°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F70°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

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

Natural Hazards

Rockhampton faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Cyclone High Risk

Affected by cyclones.

Flood High Risk

Fitzroy River flooding.

Wildfire High Risk

Bushfire-prone continent with frequent fire seasons.

Drought High Risk

Frequent droughts across much of the continent.

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 5.5%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Rockhampton 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 – 3:00 PM
Academic Year Late January 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 January (6 weeks)
Winter Break July (2 weeks)
Spring Break April (2 weeks, Easter)

Queensland 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 Rockhampton, Australia?

The cost of living index in Rockhampton is 68, which is Lower the Australia national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Rockhampton is A$360,000. The housing index is 64.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Rockhampton is approximately A$1050/mo.

Does Rockhampton, QLD have income tax?

Rockhampton is in QLD, which has an income tax rate of 32.5%.

What is the climate like in Rockhampton?

Rockhampton enjoys approximately 260 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 52°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.