Same Inflation, Different Pain

Introduction

Australia’s cost-of-living crisis is often discussed as one shared national experience, but the data tells a more complex story. Different household types face different pressures depending on their income source, spending patterns, and exposure to essential costs.

1. Pensioner households faced the sharpest recent rise

Source: ABS Selected Living Cost Indexes.

2. Cost pressure has shifted between households

Source: ABS Selected Living Cost Indexes.

3. The long-term burden has built up for everyone

Source: ABS Selected Living Cost Indexes.

4. Different budgets create different inflation pain

Source: ABS Selected Living Cost Indexes.

5. Essential costs leave little room in household budgets

Selected essentials include housing, food, health, transport, insurance and financial services. Source: ABS Selected Living Cost Indexes.

Conclusion

These charts show that Australia’s cost-of-living crisis is not experienced equally. While living costs have risen across all household types, the pressure shifts over time and depends heavily on household spending patterns.