A new study of the financial habits and stressors of Australians has revealed that members of regional communities are more concerned with the rising costs associated with mobile phones than their city counterparts.

The study, undertaken by PureProfile in September, on behalf of Boost Mobile, covered more than 3,200 Australians, with a 55 per cent female / 45 per cent male split.

It found that, not surprisingly, 90 per cent of Aussies have made changes to their purchasing decisions due to rising living costs.

While 46 per cent are making a few changes, 30 per cent have now made “significant changes” to their purchasing.

There is also a growing divide between metro and regional Australia, according to Boost, who noted 11.5 per cent of metro-based respondents reported to being “kept awake at night due to financial stress” as opposed to 16.5 per cent in regional areas.

This echoes recent comments made by Coles CEO Stephen Cain about diverging shopping habits.

“It’s a tale of two cities, this growing divide,” Cain said last week.

Boost Mobile furthered focused on 18 regional cities to “get a true lay of the land”.

“From Albury and Orange in New South Wales, to Bendigo and Ballarat in Victoria, Mackay and Rockhampton in Queensland and beyond, the results show regional Australians in crisis, with more than 16 per cent of those surveyed experiencing significant financial distress.”

While only 20 per cent of national respondents cited mobile phone-related costs as their biggest financial concern, this rises to 28 per cent for those in the 18-24 age range, as well as those in region areas.

In Bundaberg, 33 per cent of respondents were worried about the cost of their mobile phone provider, while in Cairns it was 28 per cent of those surveyed.

Despite this, Australians aren’t likely to shop around for a better deal, as the similar Annual EFTM Mobile Phone Survey showed last week.

According to Boost, 64 per cent of Australians have been with the same network provider for their mobile and data service for more than three years, a further 12 per cent for more than two years.

Those in the 25-34 age range move slightly more frequently, but 59 per cent are still with the same telco they were with three years ago.

“As a brand that has been fighting for value for Australians for more than 20 years, it has always been important for us to listen to consumers and make sure we are doing what we can to provide great value,” said Jason Haynes, General Manager, Boost Mobile.

“This research shows that there is significant financial hardship facing many Australians that may be going unreported.

“Despite this, many Australians are leaving savings on the table by sticking blindly with their existing mobile phone plans. To everyone reviewing their expenses – do your research and consider switching. It’s an easy way to deliver real savings without making any sacrifices to your lifestyle.”