Cost of living in Brisbane

In Brisbane, Australia, a family of four typically needs around $5397 per month including rent. A single person may spend about $2491 monthly.

How expensive is Brisbane compared to other cities?

Brisbane is 126% more expensive overall versus the European benchmark.

How does Brisbane compare to your city?

Brisbane is 31% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Brisbane is, on average, 43% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Brisbane?

Who is Brisbane a good fit for?

Brisbane is most realistic when moving with a strong job offer or relocation package. Without high income, the housing-driven price level can be difficult to sustain.

FAQ

Why is Brisbane so expensive?

The high cost of living in Brisbane is primarily driven by rent and utilities, which significantly impact monthly expenses.

Is food expensive in Brisbane?

Food prices in Brisbane are 51% higher than the European benchmark, contributing to the overall cost of living.

Is public transport affordable in Brisbane?

Public transport in Brisbane is 362% higher than the European benchmark, making it one of the more costly aspects of living in the city.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
2491 $
Without Rent
985 $
Rent & Utilities
1506 $
Food
562 $
Transport
280 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
4184 $
GDP per Capita
64,712 $
Freedom Index
8.52
Lifespan
83 years
Speak English
93%
Population
2.4M

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 14 $
Dinner 83.5 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 10.5 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 8.26 $
Capuccino 3.81 $
Coke, 330ml 2.77 $

Compare Brisbane with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.59 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.42 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.1 $
Eggs, 12 pack 4.52 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.96 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.74 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.7 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.31 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.92 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.71 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.87 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.37 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.11 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.84 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.95 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 13.9 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 5.61 $
Cigarette pack 27.8 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 2.99 $
Monthly Pass 145 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 1.42 $
Taxi, 8 km 16.4 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 61.4 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 8.08 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 4.28 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.28 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 3.33 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 116 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 178 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 54.5 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,283 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,860 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,542 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,771 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 7,907 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 5,572 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 4,184 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.33%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 55.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 13.8 $
Haircut 19.3 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 108 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 74.3 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,752 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 9,531 $

Compare Brisbane with other top cities

Australia
Brisbane vs Melbourne (Melbourne is 4% less expensive) Brisbane vs Sydney (Sydney is 12% more expensive) Brisbane vs Brisbane (Brisbane has similar costs) Brisbane vs Perth (Perth is 6% less expensive) Brisbane vs Adelaide (Adelaide is 10% less expensive) Brisbane vs Gold Coast (Gold Coast is 8% less expensive) Brisbane vs Canberra (Canberra is 4% less expensive) Brisbane vs Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast is 30% less expensive) Brisbane vs Wollongong (Wollongong is 38% less expensive) Brisbane vs Ipswich (Ipswich is 25% less expensive)
New Zealand
Brisbane vs Auckland (Auckland is 11% less expensive) Brisbane vs Christchurch (Christchurch is 20% less expensive) Brisbane vs Manukau (Manukau is 22% less expensive) Brisbane vs Wellington (Wellington is 10% less expensive) Brisbane vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 33% less expensive) Brisbane vs Tauranga (Tauranga is 28% less expensive) Brisbane vs Dunedin (Dunedin is 41% less expensive) Brisbane vs Lower Hutt (Lower Hutt is 25% less expensive) Brisbane vs Palmerston North (Palmerston North is 47% less expensive) Brisbane vs Napier (Napier is 44% less expensive)
Marshall Islands
Brisbane vs Majuro (Majuro is 39% less expensive) Brisbane vs Djarrit (Djarrit is 39% less expensive)
Solomon Islands
Brisbane vs Honiara (Honiara is 41% less expensive) Brisbane vs Auki (Auki is 41% less expensive)
Palau
Brisbane vs Melekeok (Melekeok is 53% less expensive) Brisbane vs Ngerulmud (Ngerulmud is 53% less expensive)
Tonga
Brisbane vs Nukualofa (Nukualofa is 61% less expensive) Brisbane vs Mua (Mua is 61% less expensive)
Fiji
Brisbane vs Suva (Suva is 63% less expensive) Brisbane vs Nasinu (Nasinu is 64% less expensive) Brisbane vs Nadi (Nadi is 64% less expensive) Brisbane vs Lautoka (Lautoka is 76% less expensive)
Samoa
Brisbane vs Manase (Manase is 73% less expensive) Brisbane vs Apia (Apia is 73% less expensive)
Nauru
Brisbane vs Yaren (Yaren is 75% less expensive)
Tuvalu
Brisbane vs Funafuti (Funafuti is 76% less expensive) Brisbane vs Vaiaku (Vaiaku is 76% less expensive)
Papua New Guinea
Brisbane vs Port Moresby (Port Moresby is 78% less expensive) Brisbane vs Lae (Lae is 78% less expensive)
Kiribati
Brisbane vs South Tarawa (South Tarawa is 79% less expensive) Brisbane vs London (London is 79% less expensive)