Cost of living in Brisbane (Australia) is 8% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 820 prices entered by 101 different people.
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| Food | - 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Brisbane (Australia) is 11% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | AU$24 | AU$24 | - 0% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | AU$15 | AU$15 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | AU$7 | AU$9 | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | AU$1.80 | AU$2.28 | - 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | AU$5.69 | AU$8 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | AU$5.90 | AU$7 | - 14% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | AU$7 | AU$10 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | AU$4.64 | AU$5.22 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | AU$3.66 | AU$3.83 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | AU$7 | AU$8 | - 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | AU$22 | AU$19 | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | AU$3.79 | AU$4.11 | - 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | AU$2.23 | AU$3.16 | - 29% | |
| Housing | + 4% | |||
| Housing in Brisbane (Australia) is 4% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | AU$4,364 | AU$4,211 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | AU$3,301 | AU$2,730 | + 21% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | AU$207 | AU$285 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | AU$3,111 | AU$2,291 | + 36% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | AU$1,756 | AU$1,953 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | AU$158 | AU$201 | - 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | AU$67 | AU$74 | - 9% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | AU$570 | AU$672 | - 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | AU$266 | AU$260 | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | AU$13 | AU$14 | - 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | AU$41 | AU$49 | - 16% | |
| Clothes | + 3% | |||
| Clothes in Brisbane (Australia) is about the same as in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | AU$138 | AU$117 | + 18% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | AU$86 | AU$93 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | AU$177 | AU$172 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | AU$214 | AU$192 | + 11% | |
| Transportation | - 32% | |||
| Transportation in Brisbane (Australia) is 32% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | AU$34,588 | AU$39,525 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | AU$1.99 | AU$1.95 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | AU$109 | AU$181 | - 40% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | AU$30 | AU$29 | + 2% | |
| Personal Care | - 10% | |||
| Personal Care in Brisbane (Australia) is 10% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | AU$10 | AU$8 | + 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | AU$20 | AU$19 | + 6% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | AU$81 | AU$81 | + 0% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | AU$7 | AU$7 | + 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | AU$4.45 | AU$5.66 | - 21% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | AU$6 | AU$11 | - 46% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | AU$4.54 | AU$4.98 | - 9% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | AU$4.60 | AU$5.82 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | AU$38 | AU$43 | - 13% | |
| Entertainment | + 17% | |||
| Entertainment in Brisbane (Australia) is 17% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Brisbane | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | AU$76 | AU$79 | - 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | AU$41 | AU$44 | - 7% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | AU$325 | AU$379 | - 14% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | AU$159 | AU$122 | + 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | AU$21 | AU$24 | - 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | AU$5.46 | AU$5.33 | + 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | AU$12 | AU$14 | - 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | AU$820 | AU$1,002 | - 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | AU$0.92 | AU$0.45 | + 106% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | AU$72 | AU$83 | - 14% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | AU$50 | AU$45 | + 9% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 8% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 820 prices entered by 101 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 20, 2025.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require AU$14,000 in Melbourne you would need to make just about AU$12,884 in Brisbane.
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