One of the most common questions businesses ask when considering SEO is simply: what does it cost? The honest answer is that it depends, and a significant part of what it depends on is which Australian city you are in. Market competition varies dramatically between cities, and that affects both the effort required and the pricing you should expect.

This breakdown covers SEO pricing across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, with realistic expectations for what different investment levels will deliver.

Why City Matters for SEO Pricing

SEO is competitive. What it costs to rank in a given city is directly related to how hard it is to rank there. Sydney and Melbourne have the most competitive search landscapes in Australia, with more businesses, more established competitors, and more contested keywords. Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide are less competitive in most industries, which means rankings can often be achieved faster and for less sustained investment.

This does not mean SEO is cheap in those cities. It means the value equation is different.

Sydney SEO Pricing

Sydney is Australia’s most competitive SEO market. For most industries, expect:

• Entry-level campaigns: $1,500 to $2,500 per month. Suitable for small local businesses targeting suburb-level keywords with moderate competition.
• Mid-tier campaigns: $3,000 to $6,000 per month. Appropriate for businesses competing across Sydney for multiple keywords in moderately competitive industries.
• Competitive verticals (finance, legal, property): $6,000 to $15,000+ per month. These markets require significant ongoing content, link building, and technical investment to compete effectively.

Learn more about our approach on our Sydney SEO services page.

Melbourne SEO Pricing

Melbourne’s SEO market is broadly comparable to Sydney across most industries, with similar pricing tiers:

• Entry-level campaigns: $1,500 to $2,500 per month
• Mid-tier campaigns: $3,000 to $6,000 per month
• High-competition industries: $5,000 to $12,000+ per month

Melbourne’s CBD-focused professional services sector is particularly competitive, while outer suburban markets often offer better value. See our Melbourne SEO services for more detail.

Brisbane SEO Pricing

Brisbane’s market is less saturated than Sydney and Melbourne in most industries, which creates a genuine pricing advantage:

• Entry-level campaigns: $1,200 to $2,000 per month
• Mid-tier campaigns: $2,500 to $5,000 per month
• Competitive industries: $4,000 to $8,000 per month

The city’s growth trajectory means competition is increasing, but businesses investing now will see faster results for comparable spend. Visit our Brisbane SEO services page for more information.

Perth SEO Pricing

Perth’s isolated market creates unique dynamics. Many industries have lower competition than equivalent eastern states markets, but the resources sector is its own highly specialised environment:

• Entry-level campaigns: $1,200 to $2,000 per month
• Mid-tier campaigns: $2,500 to $5,000 per month
• Resources and mining sector: $4,000 to $10,000+ per month (specialised content and industry expertise required)

Our Perth SEO services page covers our approach to WA’s unique market.

Adelaide SEO Pricing

Adelaide offers the most accessible SEO pricing of the major Australian cities, reflecting its lower competitive intensity:

• Entry-level campaigns: $1,000 to $1,800 per month
• Mid-tier campaigns: $2,000 to $4,000 per month
• Competitive industries: $3,500 to $7,000 per month

For many Adelaide businesses, the value proposition is exceptional. Rankings that would take 18 months in Sydney can often be achieved in 6 to 9 months in Adelaide. See our Adelaide SEO services for more.

What Should You Pay For?

Regardless of city, any reputable SEO investment should include technical auditing and fixes, on-page optimisation, content creation, and link acquisition. Be cautious of providers who focus only on one element or who cannot clearly explain what they are doing and why.

The cheapest SEO is rarely the best value. The most expensive is not necessarily the best either. What matters is a clear strategy, transparent reporting, and measurable progress toward rankings and leads that drive real business results.