Household Budget Barometer 2026 Methodology

Average indicative quote prices were based on comprehensive car insurance quotes available through Compare the Market and also from three popular industry brands not available through Compare the Market.

Quotes for a white 4-door 2020 Toyota Corolla sedan (no modifications) driven by a hypothetical 30 year-old male who is employed full time, obtained their licence at age 17 and has no previous claims. The car is used primarily for private or commuting purposes and is driven 12,000kms per year and is parked overnight in the following suburbs which were selected as approximately 15km north, south, east and west of the nearby city centre:

• Brisbane, QLD – Bridgeman Downs, Sunnybank Hills,
  Ferny Grove, Wynnum;
• Sydney, NSW – Frenchs Forest, Sans Souci, Punchbowl,
  Marsfield;
• Melbourne, VIC – Tullamarine, Hampton East, Altona,
  Yallambie;
• Adelaide, SA – Stirling, Kingston Park, Largs Bay, St
  Agnes;
• Perth, WA – Kenwick, Fremantle, North Beach,
  Caversham;

Only policies with an excess of $1000, or as close to this figure as was possible with the relevant insurers, were used to calculate averages for these different locations. Every three months or as close as possible from a start date of 30/08/2024 – 01/09/2024. Your quotes will vary depending on your unique circumstances.

Average indicative quote prices were based on home and contents insurance quotes available through Compare the Market and also from three popular industry brands not available through Compare the Market. Quotes for a typical low-set, 4 bedroom 2 bathroom, 2 undercover carparks, freestanding brick veneer home with tiled roof, insured for $700,000 with $80,000 in contents with a target excess of $1000 for both home and contents.

Where these sum insured values or target excess were not available we used the closest possible option with the relevant insurer. Our hypothetical home owner was a 30 year old male who lives alone with no previous claims. The following suburbs which were selected as approximately 15km north, south, east and west of the nearby city centre:

• Brisbane, QLD – Bridgeman Downs, Sunnybank Hills,
  Ferny Grove, Wynnum;
• Sydney, NSW – Frenchs Forest, Sans Souci, Punchbowl,
  Marsfield;
• Melbourne, VIC – Tullamarine, Hampton East, Altona,
  Yallambie;
• Adelaide, SA – Stirling, Kingston Park, Largs Bay, St
  Agnes;
• Perth, WA – Kenwick, Fremantle, North Beach,
  Caversham;

Only policies with an excess of $1000, or as close to this figure as was possible with the relevant insurers, were used to calculate averages for these different locations. Quotes collected Every three months or as close as possible from a start date of 30/08/2024 – 01/09/2024. Your quotes will vary depending on your unique circumstances.

Our standardised hypothetical house parameters were applied to each address, regardless of the actual property at that location. This allowed for an accurate comparison across multiple locations.

It is important to keep in mind that these prices reflect a diverse range of prices, with a difference of hundreds of dollars between the cheapest and most expensive policy. These averages could be markedly different to how much it costs to insure your own car or home and contents, and you should exercise caution in applying these averages to your car or home before purchasing an insurance policy.

This insurance index is designed to provide an overview of insurance prices across various Australian cities and insurers. Please be aware of the following:

1. Differences in insurers’ quoting systems and available options mean slight variations in the sum insured amounts and excess levels used to calculate averages. These variations were minimised to the greatest extent, and the closest options were selected when exact matches to our parameters were unavailable.
2. To ensure the most comparability, we applied consistent hypothetical property and vehicle parameters across all locations, using real Australian addresses to capture location-based pricing factors. The average figures presented encompass these slight variations. We believe these averages provide a reasonable market representation but should be considered approximations rather than exact figures.
3. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information presented, but the index is intended for informational use only and should not be the sole basis for making insurance decisions. Individual quotes may vary based on personal circumstances and specific insurer policies. The variations in our data collecting reflect the real-world differences in insurance offerings and are part of what this index aims to capture.
4. The insurers available through Compare the Market may change over time. The prices presented reflect only the brands that were available at the time the quotes were returned. This ensures the data actively represents market conditions and insurer availability.

New vehicle drive-away figures are accurate as at 24 June 2026, according to each manufacturer’s website, and are subject to change.

Average annual car loan repayments were calculated using the Australian Government’s Moneysmart calculator, according to the advertised fixed interest rate from a major financial lender as at 19 June 2026.

Calculations assumed no ongoing fees and repayments do not take into account the reduction of the loan balance over time.

Where an interest rate range was provided, the median or representative rate was used. Some lenders offered discounted rates for hybrid and/or electric vehicles.

The car loan terms were for five years with a $5,000 upfront deposit, paid monthly (where possible), and based on the drive-away price of each vehicle in Queensland.

The three vehicles – petrol internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and full battery-electric vehicle (BEV) – were selected with a comparable price and equipment level to ensure a fair comparison.

The cost of servicing each model was calculated based on averaging the first five years’ worth of scheduled capped-price services from each car manufacturer, as at June 2026 and are subject to change.

Electric vehicle charging costs were calculated based on the average home EV energy plan rate ($0.06 per kWh) on a single-rate tariff in Alderley, Brisbane (4051) as at 24 June 2026.

Running cost calculations were based on the energy consumption claims according to the manufacturer – which will likely vary in real-world driving – and we assumed the vehicle drives 15,000km annually.

Petrol and hybrid vehicle fuelling costs were calculated based on the average retail cost of unleaded 91 RON petrol ($1.85 per litre) between 18 April 2025 to 17 April 2026 across Australia’s five biggest capital cities.

Running cost calculations were based on the fuel consumption claims according to each manufacturer – which will likely vary in real-world driving – and we assumed each vehicle drives 15,000km annually.

Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) to check for the inclusions, exclusions and restrictions before purchasing.

Comprehensive car insurance policies were quoted across 14 different comprehensive products across 10 brands and six underwriters for three comparable new vehicles:

• Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle: 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Exceed AWD
• Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV): 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Cruiser 2WD
• Battery-electric vehicle (BEV): 2026 BYD Sealion 7 Premium

Premiums were quoted for participating brands using Compare the Market’s car insurance comparison tool and directly through well-known insurance brand websites on 22 June 2026, with a next-day commencement date.

Quotes were then averaged for each model. Not all insurance policies were available for all vehicles.

The annual comprehensive car insurance policies were based on a targeted $900 excess for a 34-year-old male living in Alderley, Brisbane (4051) with market value coverage. Where an insurer did not offer a $900 excess option, the closest amount was selected. Where an insurer did not offer the market value option, the default agreed value amount was used.

We assumed the owner drives up to 15,000km per year (for private use and/or commuting to work only) with a clean driving history, parks the vehicle in a garage, does not own a home, does not own another vehicle, and is employed full-time. All three vehicles had a white exterior colour, no pre-existing damage, and no options or modifications.

The cost of annual registration and compulsory third-party insurance (CTP) in Queensland for a private use vehicle was sourced from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads during the 2025-26 financial year. A cheaper fee applies for full electric vehicles and models with three cylinders or fewer.

Prices were accurate for the 2025-26 financial year and are subject to change.

Comprehensive car insurance policies were quoted across 11 insurers and six underwriters for 10 popular and notable full battery-electric vehicle (BEV) models, and 10 popular and notable hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models. Not all insurers and products were available for all vehicles.

The latest-available models and entry-level variants were selected.

Premiums were quoted using Compare the Market’s car insurance comparison tool and other well-known insurance brands, based on a next-day 5 March 2026 commencement date.

Quotes obtained were averaged for each model, and overall for all 10 BEV and all 10 HEV/PHEV models.

The annual comprehensive car insurance policies were based on a targeted $900 excess for a 34-year-old male living in Alderley, Brisbane (4051) with market value coverage. Where an insurer did not offer a $900 excess option, the closest amount within $100 was selected. Where an insurer did not offer the market value option, the default agreed value amount was used.

We assumed the owner drives up to 15,000km per year (for private use and/or commuting to work only) with a clean driving history, parks the vehicle in a garage, does not own a home, does not own another vehicle, and is employed full-time. All three vehicles had a white exterior colour, no pre-existing damage, and no options or modifications.