Australia, Darn Expensive

http://www.news.com.au/money/cost-of-living/deutsche-bank-says-australia-is-one-of-worlds-most-expensive-countries/story-fnagkbpv-1226627375923

interesting it mainly compares New York costs to Sydney and really they is not that much difference in prices, US is maybe 10-20% cheaper for most things but when the difference in minimum wage is taken ito account (Australian Minimun wage is AU$15.15, the AU$ slightly higher than US$) I think we end up with more $$$ in our pocket when all is said an done (at least those of us not on top dollar wages )

I'd always heard Oz is more expensive -- I thought it was interesting that they didn't go into the reasons. I figured it's because so much has to be imported, but I don't know that for a fact ...

electronics etc are all imports but we are exporters of Food and Resources. and since we are closer to China transport should be cheaper for most things.

What is really making it expensive is housing costs and they are all articfically inflated by over invested baby boomers, the gov't wont let the market bust because so many of the Bommers have become completley reliant on they unsustainabley high value of houses to fund retirement.
Unfortunately they are still the biggest voting block so pollies always pander to their demands to the detriment of other generations.

and we also get straight ripped off
Adobe, Microsft and Apple all basically admitted to charging Aussies more for Software because they could. thankfully they were quite rude about it so have really damaged any political support for stronger copyright law enforcement.

update analysis

http://www.news.com.au/money/cost-of-living/yes-australia-is-expensive-but-there-are-fringe-benefits-if-you-live-here/comments-fnagkbpv-1226630603809

it does make some good points that it isn't really comaparign apples to apples

Hotels in Novemeber in the northern hemisphere are cheap as it is out of the holiday season, but in australia that is the begining of our Holiday season. Plus they compared 5 star hotels but that varies a lot and the one they did in Sydney is one of the most expensive in the city.
And Beer, Like Japan, our Beer range is different what is a local beer in the US or Europe is imported here so Comparing the same brand is not accurate.

Plus as some commentors said, the minimum standard of food is also different. Quite simply it is Illegal to sell the lowest grade foods here so a Big Mac is More expensive but the ingredients that it is made from are of higher standards. Lowest quality Aussie fastfood is like mid range chains in the USA.