The Coming Colony/Appendix B
APPENDIX B.
COST OF LIVING.
As elsewhere in the Australian colonies, whilst board and lodging of a more or less rough order are cheap, 10s. to 20s. per week for single men, house rent is proportionately dear; the average rent of a three-roomed house in Perth and other towns being 7s. to 10s. per week, or in the country 5s. per week; and of a five-roomed one 12s. in towns and 9s. in the country.
The retail price of provisions in Perth at per lb. is roughly as follows:—
Bacon, 1s. to 1s. 4d.
Beef, 6d. to 7d.
Bread, 2-lb. loaf, 3d. to 3½d.
Butter, 1s. to 2s.
Cheese, 9d. to 1s.
Coffee, 1s. 6d.
Milk, per quart, 5d. to 6d.
Mutton, 4d. to 6d.
Pork, 8d. to 10d.
Potatoes, per stone, 1s.
Sugar, 3d. to 4½d.
Tobacco, 5s. to 6s. 6d.
Tea, 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d.
These rates, except for meat, are greatly enhanced on the goldfields and remote country locations. As regards clothing, it is estimated as being 10 to 20 per cent. dearer than in England.