Skyline of West Island
Cost of Living: 100 600

West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands

West Island is a city in Cocos (Keeling) Islands with a population of 600.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Cocos (Keeling) Islands Avg (100)

Housing Index 100

Affordable

Median Income A$ 40,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.0%

Job market health

West Island vs Cocos (Keeling) Islands Average

Cost of Living
West Island: 100
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Avg: 100
Housing Index
West Island: 100
Cocos (Keeling) Islands Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 0.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: A$ 40,000
  • Unemployment: 3.0%
  • Population: 600

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 200/year
  • Summer High: 86°F
  • Winter Low: 76°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 8a

Housing

  • Median Home: A$100,000
  • 1BR Rent: A$500/mo

Cost of Living

West Island's cost of living index is 100 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands average = 100).

CategoryWest IslandNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing1001000.0%

Data source: Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceA$100,000
Median Rent (1BR)A$500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)A$625/mo
Price per Sq FtA$66

Data source: Numbeo, 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 West Island:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityA$0
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)A$76Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterA$0Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)A$0Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesA$76Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: National Utility Regulator, 2025

Remote Work Score

West Island scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
A$500
Sunny Days
200
Tax
None
Unemployment
3.0%
Climate
86°F / 76°F
Safety
0.5 homicides/100k
Population
600
Internet Speed
20 Mbps

Climate

West Island has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January96°F76°F2.5"
April71°F91°F2.8"
July86°F61°F1.5"
October66°F94°F2.2"
USDA Zone 8a

Warm — citrus, avocados, tomatoes, peppers

Natural Hazards

West Island faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave High Risk

Tropical heat.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Indian Ocean island with tsunami risk.

Cyclone Moderate Risk

Moderate cyclone risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

Coastal flooding.

Drought Moderate Risk

Periodic drought conditions.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Volcanic terrain with landslides.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 0%
  • Property Tax: ~0% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in West Island per 100,000 residents:

20.0
Violent Crime
20.0
Property Crime
0.5
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 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year September to June
Term System Semester — Fall (Sep-Jan), Spring (Feb-Jun)
Summer Break June to September (12 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break March/April (1-2 weeks)

Standard academic 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 West Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands?

The cost of living index in West Island is 100, which is Lower the Cocos (Keeling) Islands national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in West Island?

The median home price in West Island is A$100,000. The housing index is 100.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in West Island is approximately A$500/mo.

Does West Island, Cocos Islands have income tax?

West Island is in Cocos Islands, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in West Island?

West Island enjoys approximately 200 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 86°F, while winter lows can drop to around 76°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Numbeo, 2026
  • Income & Employment: National Statistics, 2024
  • Utilities National Utility Regulator, 2025

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