Prices and wages


The prices and wages section compares the difference between the rate of inflation and the average household income, and how this affects the cost of living in the Northern Territory (NT).  Analysis is provided on Darwin's consumer price index (CPI), the NT’s wage price index (WPI) and average weekly earnings (AWE). CPI reports on the changes in price of categories such as housing, food and non-alcoholic beverages, recreation and culture, alcohol and tobacco, transportation, furnishings, household equipment and services, financial and insurance services, health, communication, clothing and footwear, and education. WPI measures changes in the price that employers pay for labour, arising from market factors by both the private and public sectors of employment. AWE measures the level of average earnings in the NT.

Key facts | Consumer price index | Wage price index | Median total weekly personal income | Average weekly earningsExplanatory notes

Prices and wages statistics are based on data reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). For the latest available data and analysis, see the Department of Treasury and Finance’s Consumer price index, Wage price index and Average weekly full-time earnings economic brief. For further analysis on house prices and fuel prices, please go to the relevant webpages.

Key facts

Consumer price index

Over the five years to December 2019, the Darwin CPI grew modestly averaging 0.5% per year, below the national average growth of 1.7%. More recently, over the three years to December 2023, the Darwin CPI has grown at an average rate of 5.5% per year, above the national average growth of 5.0%.

In the December quarter 2023:

Wage price index

In the December quarter 2023:

Median total weekly personal income

Based on the 2016 Census data:

Average weekly earnings

Through the year to November 2023:

Explanatory notes