Skyline of Toowoomba
Cost of Living: 70 142,163

Toowoomba, Australia

Queensland's Garden City with stunning parks, the Carnival of Flowers, and a growing university campus.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 70

Below Average vs Australia Avg (100)

Housing Index 65

Affordable

Median Income A$62,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.5%

Job market health

Toowoomba vs Australia Average

Cost of Living
Toowoomba: 70
Australia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Toowoomba: 65
Australia Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Toowoomba: 32.5%

Taxes

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

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: A$62,000
  • Unemployment: 5.5%
  • Population: 142,163

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 255/year
  • Summer High: 84°F
  • Winter Low: 44°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: A$380,000
  • 1BR Rent: A$1100/mo

Cost of Living

Toowoomba's cost of living index is 70 (Australia average = 100).

CategoryToowoombaNational AverageDifference
Overall70100-30.0%
Housing65100-35.0%

Data source: ABS, Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceA$380,000
Median Rent (1BR)A$1100/mo
Median Rent (2BR)A$1,375/mo
Price per Sq FtA$253

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 Toowoomba:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityA$150
Heating & CoolingA$9Estimated 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$289Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: AER, Sydney Water, ACCC 2025

Remote Work Score

Toowoomba scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
70
Rent
A$1100
Sunny Days
255
Tax
32.5%
Unemployment
5.5%
Climate
84°F / 44°F
Safety
0.8 homicides/100k
Population
142,163
Internet Speed
80 Mbps

Climate

Toowoomba has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January64°F44°F2.5"
April69°F59°F2.8"
July84°F59°F1.5"
October64°F62°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

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

Natural Hazards

Toowoomba faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Flood High Risk

Flash floods.

Cyclone High Risk

Significant cyclone risk.

Drought High Risk

Frequent droughts across much of the continent.

Wildfire Moderate Risk

Bushfire risk.

Severe Storm Moderate Risk

Severe storms and hailstorms.

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 Toowoomba 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 Toowoomba, Australia?

The cost of living index in Toowoomba is 70, which is Lower the Australia national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Toowoomba is A$380,000. The housing index is 65.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Toowoomba is approximately A$1100/mo.

Does Toowoomba, QLD have income tax?

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

What is the climate like in Toowoomba?

Toowoomba enjoys approximately 255 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 84°F, while winter lows can drop to around 44°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.