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Busselton, Australia
Capital City

Follows Australia Residency Rules. Check Digital Nomad & Retiree Pathways →
Est. Monthly Cost (1 Person)
$2,498
Retiree Score
63.1
Safety Index
—
Healthcare
—

Busselton is a quiet coastal city that's growing fast, but still feels like a big country town. The sprawl across 1,455 km² means you'll need a car—public transport barely exists outside the two main towns. Locals joke that everything shuts by 8pm except the IGA supermarket near the jetty.

Expats in Busselton either love the slow pace or chafe at it within six months. The 230km distance from Perth means specialist healthcare requires a day trip. Wardandi cultural sites around the area add depth if you make the effort to learn, but most social life revolves around beach cricket and the Margaret River wine region.

Can I afford Busselton?

$

Busselton

You could save

502/mo

Savings Rate17%

Monthly Costs

Rent $1,409
Living (Country Average Adjusted)$1,089

Attractiveness Scores

FIRE Score
(i)
17/100
Retiree Score
(i)
50/100
Lifestyle Score
(i)
50/100
💻Nomad Score
(i)
50/100
Meets Australia Digital Nomad Visa Income Rule.
—
Safety
0
Healthcare
90
Walkability
5
Nomad

Grocery Basket

Milk (1L) $1
Bread (loaf) *$2
Eggs (12) $3
Rice (1kg) *$2
Chicken (1kg) *$9

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Eating Out

Meal (Inexpensive) *$18
Meal (Mid-range) $115
Cappuccino $4
Water (0.33L) *$2

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Utilities & Lifestyle

Utilities (mo) $180
Mobile Plan (mo) $32
Gym (mo) *$24
Cinema Ticket $18

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Housing

1BR Center (mo) $563
1BR Outside (mo) *$480
3BR Center (mo) $704
3BR Outside (mo) *$762

* Estimated based on regional averages.

🧳 Expat Life

English Proficiency
Widely Spoken
Expat Community
Small
Top Neighborhoods
Abbey Waters, Geographe, West Busselton
Best For
retirees, families, surfers

Expat Life Notes

A coastal hub in Western Australia known for its iconic jetty and proximity to the Margaret River wine region. Popular for retirees and FIFO workers.

Pros

  • ✓ Stunning beaches
  • ✓ Proximity to wine country
  • ✓ Safe and relaxed

Cons

  • ✗ Isolated from major cities
  • ✗ Limited job market outside FIFO/Tourism
  • ✗ Quiet in winter

🌐 Infrastructure & Lifestyle

Avg Internet
—
Temperature
—
Annual Rainfall
537 mm
Coworking Spaces
—
Best Months to Visit
Apr, May, Sep, Oct

Also Consider

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Busselton

Click any question to expand the answer.

Busselton has a population of approximately 27,233 people.

A single person can expect to spend around $3,522 per month in Busselton, including rent. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1409/month.

The nearest airport to Busselton is PER, approximately 199km away.

Crime rates are low but emergency response times lag—the nearest major hospital is in Bunbury, 45 minutes north. Lock your car; petty theft spikes during summer tourist season.

Retirees who want beach walks without crowds, and remote workers with a car. Families struggle with limited high schools and youth job opportunities.

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