Moving to the Northern Territory means embracing a better life with endless opportunities. Here, the cost of living is lower than the national average, and you'll enjoy shorter commutes and exclusive savings initiatives. With easy access to affordable, fresh, local produce, and unique attractions, you'll have more time and money to make the most of everything the Territory has to offer!
Housing
There are a few factors to consider when it comes to housing in the Territory. These factors can impact a person or family’s cost of living. For example:
- Choosing to buy or rent a property
- Your suburb and location
- Proximity to work, schools and shops
- Travel methods, e.g. driving, cycling, public transport etc.
Homeowner incentives
The NT Government offers assistance to support new and existing homeowners to enter the Northern Territory housing market.
The HomeGrown Territory grants include incentives for:
Buying or building a new home
Get up to $50,000 to put towards buying or building your first home.
Buying an established home
First-home buyers can receive up to $10,000 to put toward purchasing an established home.
Exisiting homeowners
Existing homeowners can get up to $30,000 to put toward building or buying a new home.
The NT Government also offers low-deposit home loans and stamp duty exemption to eligible recipients. You can find out more about the homeowner assistance available in the Territory on the NT Government website.
Utilities
The NT Government heavily subsidised the cost of electricity, water and sewerage services for Territory residents and small businesses through the Community Service Obligation (CSO).
The NT Government also provides cost-of-living support through sustainability incentives, such as the Home and Business Battery Scheme, where homeowners and businesses can save up to $12,000, from 1 December 2024, for the purchase and installation of rooftop solar batteries and inverters to reduce electricity costs.
Members of the Northern Territory Concession Scheme can also receive:
- electricity concessions of up to $1,200 per annum for their main place of residence
- water and sewerage concessions of up to $800 and $412,86 respectively, per financial year for their household
- council rates and garbage concessions of up to $200 and $150 per annum for their household
You can find out more about the concessions available in the Territory on the NT Government website.
Transportation
We have a variety of transport options to suit your needs. Public bus services in the Territory are currently free until 30 June 2025. There are also taxi and rideshare services available, and an extensive network of cycling and walking paths.
If you drive a car, you need to factor in licence, registration, and other service costs.
The Territory offers free transfers of current interstate driver’s license to the NT, as well as motor vehicle registration (MVR) cost saving initiatives for residents including:
- no fee increases to light vehicle registrations until 1 July 2026
- an extra 12 months on your driver licence for free, for renewals between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2025
- new 3-year registration options for trailers, to avoid fee increases and multiple administration fees
The MyFuel NT website allows users to find and compare fuel prices in real time from around the Territory to help find the cheapest fuel in your area.
Food and Groceries
According to the 2024 Canstar Blue survey, the Northern Territory is ranked as the second most affordable jurisdiction in Australia for grocery shopping, making the Territory an excellent home for budget-conscious individuals and families.
Beyond affordability, the Territory is celebrated for its vibrant markets where fresh, local produce takes centre stage. Markets like the Rapid Creek Markets or Malak Marketplace offer a variety of fruits and vegetable directly from local growers, supporting a farm-to-table lifestyle but also allowing residents to enjoy the Territory’s diverse flavours.
Recreation and Lifestyle
Territorians enjoy an exceptional lifestyle with plenty of recreational activities that won’t break the budget. There are many events to choose from depending on your interests and some are even free!
Residents also enjoy free entry to most NT nature reserves and parks.
Taxes
The Northern Territory offers competitive tax advantages, making it an attractive place to live and work. Unlike other Australian states, the NT has no land tax, which can mean significant savings for property owners. Additionally, businesses benefit from generous payroll tax threshold and rates, which foster a supportive environment for employment and growth in the Territory.
Local Discounts and Perks
Living in the Northern Territory comes with a range of local discounts and perks to make life more affordable. Territorian families, seniors and adventures alike can all enjoy exclusive savings through initiatives such as the $200 Back to School Payment, the NT Seniors Recognition Scheme and zone tax offsets, just to name a few!
You can also explore the variety of rebates and programs offered by the Northern Territory Government that you might be eligible for in the following areas:
There are many opportunities for you to save or receive a rebate. You can find out what you are eligible for by checking the savings finder website.
Cost of Living calculator
Like any location, costs can vary depending on your location and lifestyle choices.
If you'd like to better understand the cost of living in Darwin, you can look at this cost-of-living calculator.
If you are relocating to Alice Springs, there's a handy cost-of-living calculator you can look over.
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