Luke Tweddle, a British content creator originally from Surrey, has spent three fulfilling years living in Australia, describing it as "the best country he has ever lived in." Despite his overwhelmingly positive experience, one particular expense continues to astonish him as he prepares to return to the United Kingdom.
The Staggering Cost of a Simple Pint
In a revealing interview with The Mirror and through his own video content, Tweddle highlighted the dramatic price difference for alcohol between the two nations. After ordering a crisp pint under the Perth sunshine where he currently resides, he expressed his disbelief at the cost.
"This is the biggest difference in terms of pricing between the UK and Australia," Tweddle explained. "Alcohol is just so much more expensive in Australia compared to the UK. There's not that much to be honest, but alcohol is definitely one of them."
A Price That Would Make Londoners Blink
Pointing toward his beverage, he continued with a detailed comparison: "I've just bought a pint here and that cost me a lovely $16, which is about £8. In the UK, £8 would be considered a very expensive pint of alcohol—you would only pay that in central London, maybe in a really fancy bar."
What makes this particularly shocking is that in Australia, forking out £8 for a single pint represents an average price rather than an exception. While having one or two drinks might be manageable, Tweddle noted that a full night out could completely devastate your budget, especially if you're earning a typical UK wage.
"I will genuinely never get over Australia's alcohol prices," he admitted. "Honestly, if you're a non-drinker, you're going to save a lot more money than if you're a regular drinker here in Australia, no doubt about that."
Surviving on a UK Wage Down Under
To demonstrate the financial realities, Tweddle conducted an experiment where he attempted to live in Australia on an average UK wage of £2,500 monthly take-home pay. Through careful calculation of his daily expenses—including rent, food, and other necessities—he spent £39.28 for a typical day.
With a daily allowance of £75 based on his UK wage, he found himself well under budget, potentially allowing for £1,000 in monthly savings. This proved that survival on a UK wage in Australia is possible, though it requires significant financial discipline and lifestyle limitations.
The Australian Wage Advantage
The contrast becomes even more striking when comparing Australian earnings. Tweddle calculated that on an average Australian wage, you would have approximately £73 left over each day after essential expenses. This translates to £2,200 spare at the month's end and, looking annually, potentially £12,000 more in savings across the year compared to living on a UK wage.
"I think the biggest thing is with the wage gap," Tweddle concluded. "It just allows you to save that much more or it allows you to do that extra one or two activities that you might want to do. You can definitely survive living here just fine, but Australia's wage just allows you that extra flexibility to be able to really relax and enjoy your life."
Currently living in a house-share with his girlfriend, Jessica Amy, where they each spend around £100 weekly on rent, Tweddle acknowledges Australia's many positives. However, the combination of alcohol prices and other factors has ultimately influenced his decision to return to British shores, bringing with him a newfound appreciation for affordable pints and the financial realities of international living.
