Compare the Market has launched its 2025 Household Budget Barometer report, revealing the financial strain many Australians are facing as everyday expenses continue to climb and highlighting the various ways households are fighting back.

Now in its third year, the report is more comprehensive than ever before, featuring exclusive in-depth cost-of-living research and insights from Compare the Market’s in-house team of experts, including Economic Director David Koch and property expert Andrew Winter.

The research provides a comprehensive snapshot of household spending habits, financial stressors, and consumer sentiment amid ongoing economic uncertainty.

Compare the Market’s Economic Director, David Koch said the report played a crucial role in the company’s mission to uncover budget pressure points, shine a light on pricing practices, and help Australians make better choices with their finances.

@comparethemarketauDo you think the cost of living has improved this year? Compare the Market’s Household Budget Barometer is a pulse check on the nation’s finances. Australians from all walks of life participated in this year’s research, helping us capture a wide range of lived experiences and identify key sources of financial pressure. Head to the link in bio to read the 2025 report. #SmartChoices #savings #Budget #PersonalFinance♬ original sound – ComparethemarketAU

“Compare the Market’s Household Budget Barometer has really laid bare the state of our household finances,” Mr Koch said.

“We know it’s been a tough few years for Aussies and this research is so important, digging into the ‘why’ and ‘how’, so we can hopefully start to turn the tide on the financial pressures we’re all facing.

“Compare the Market monitors spending trends, tracks insurance quote prices and drills into personal goals and habits to understand the biggest pressures on household budgets. But even more valuable are the firsthand accounts from everyday Australians.

“Australians from all walks of life participated in the 2025 research. They’ve told us exactly where they’re hurting, how they’re coping and the types of support they need to improve their financial situation.

“This year we heard from Aussies using credit cards to afford medical bills; people skipping meals to avoid spiralling further into debt; families who are comparing more and looking for better deals and discounts.

“Replete with insights from Compare the Market’s in-house team of experts, the report unpacks how Australians from all corners of the country have weathered persistent financial pressures, and how they’re fighting back.”

This year’s report features exclusive research to support journalists, politicians and policymakers in understanding pricing practices, including:

• Compare the Market’s General Insurance Index: The quarterly index draws upon hundreds of quote search results to understand the average cost of insurance for a common car model and typical four-bedroom homes in Australia’s five major capitals. In the 12 months to September 2025, average insurance premiums are up nearly 23% for homes and almost 18% for a typical car.
• Compare the Market’s EV Index: Compare the Market’s annual car running cost comparison study analyses the yearly running costs between petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles. While a full EV model is still overall cheaper to run than a comparable hybrid and petrol model, insurance costs tend to be higher for EVs.
• Compare the Market’s fuel tracker: Compare the Market monitors the city-wide price for Unleaded 91 across the nation’s major capital cities, analysing pricing trends and pain at the petrol bowser. Data over 12 months shows Brisbane was the most expensive place to fill up, with a city-wide average of $1.85 per litre.
• Compare the Market’s annual grocery haul: Each year, Compare the Market tracks the price of 20 everyday household items across two major Australian supermarkets to determine the price difference between brand names and generic products. This year, the data shows a reduction of nearly 50% when Aussies switch from brand names to generic brands.

Data and figures from the report will also feature across Compare the Market’s social media channels and other customer communications over the next 12 months.

The full report is live and available here: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/home-loans/features/household-budget-barometer-report-2025/

For information or interviews, please contact:

Phillip Portman | 0437 384 471 | [email protected]

Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, and home loans products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.

For further insights, stats and analysis, view the report in full here. Compare the Market can also break down data at a state level, by generation, household size and gender.