While the cost of living in Brisbane is not quite as high as in other Australian cities such as Melbourne or Sydney, the cost of expat life in the heart of Australia’s ‘Sunshine State’ is by no means cheap.
The growth in Brisbane’s population and its popularity as an expat destination has contributed to the city's cost of living increasing steadily over the years. Mercer's Cost of Living Survey for 2021 saw Brisbane ranked 81st most expensive city out of the 209 cities surveyed. This is considerably lower than Sydney in 31st.
Even though Brisbane is slowly becoming a more expensive place for expat life, there are always ways to save money and it's possible to enjoy what the city has to offer on a budget.
Cost of accommodation in Brisbane
Renting a home is often the biggest expense for expats living in Brisbane. The attractive areas and suburbs tend to be expensive, so a good strategy to reduce the cost of housing is to live further out in the suburbs instead of in the city centre. In most cases, utilities will need to be paid for separately in addition to rental costs.
Cost of transportation in Brisbane
While the city has extensive bus and train networks, which make getting around the city convenient, transport in Brisbane is expensive. There are ways to cut down on transport costs though. For those who plan on regular commuting, investing in a Go Card can save some money.
Cost of entertainment in Brisbane
The cost of entertainment in Brisbane is in line with the average prices in most Australian cities.
For expats who want to have a good time without spending a fortune, the great weather in Brisbane means that there are always lots of opportunities to spend time outdoors – enjoying a picnic in the park, taking a drive out to one of the little seaside towns, or indulging in an afternoon outdoors enjoying an Australian barbecue.
The independent shopping scene in Brisbane is also growing and expats keen to explore the markets popping up all over the city are sure to find some great bargains.
Cost of living in Brisbane chart
Prices may vary depending on product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for March 2022.
|
Accommodation (monthly rent) |
|
|
One-bedroom apartment in the city centre |
AUD 1,800 |
|
One-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre |
AUD 1,300 |
|
Three-bedroom apartment in the city centre |
AUD 3,000 |
|
Three-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre |
AUD 2,000 |
|
Shopping |
|
|
Eggs (dozen) |
AUD 4.90 |
|
Milk (1 litre) |
AUD 1.70 |
|
Rice (1kg) |
AUD 2.70 |
|
Loaf of white bread |
AUD 2.70 |
|
Chicken breasts (1kg) |
AUD 11 |
|
Pack of cigarettes (Marlboro) |
AUD 35 |
|
Eating out |
|
|
Big Mac Meal |
AUD 14 |
|
Coca-Cola (330ml) |
AUD 3.50 |
|
Cappuccino |
AUD 4.50 |
|
Bottle of local beer |
AUD 8 |
|
Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant |
AUD 100 |
|
Utilities |
|
|
Mobile-to-mobile call rate (per minute) |
AUD 0.55 |
|
Internet (uncapped ADSL or cable – average per month) |
AUD 80 |
|
Basic utilities (per month for a small apartment) |
AUD 170 |
|
Transportation |
|
|
Taxi rate (per kilometre) |
AUD 2.20 |
|
Bus/train fare in the city centre |
AUD 4 |
|
Petrol/gasoline (per litre) |
AUD 1.60 |