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Auckland vs Brisbane

Brisbane runs about 6% cheaper than Auckland for this household, a difference of 183 USD a month.

A few snaps around the North Island, NZ. Locations include Waiheke, Auckland city, Devonport, Whangamata, Mt Eden
Auckland
$3,179/month · New Zealand
elpinto007 · CC BY-SA 2.0
Brisbane CBD seen from Mount Coot-tha Lookout, 2025
Brisbane
$2,996/month · Australia
Chris Olszewski · CC BY-SA 4.0
Auckland monthly
$3,179
Index 50 (NYC = 100)
Brisbane monthly
$2,996
Index 47 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-6%
Brisbane relative to Auckland
Rent gap
$280
Auckland costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

AucklandBrisbane
  • Housing
    Housing: Auckland $1,880, Brisbane $1,600. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Food
    Food: Auckland $758, Brisbane $783. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Transport
    Transport: Auckland $114, Brisbane $174. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Auckland $160, Brisbane $159. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Auckland $23, Brisbane $26. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Auckland $148, Brisbane $151. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Other
    Other: Auckland $96, Brisbane $103. Cheaper in Auckland.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricAucklandBrisbane
Cost
Total monthly cost3,179 USD2,996 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5047✓
Housing1,880 USD1,600 USD✓
Utilities160 USD159 USD✓
Food758 USD✓783 USD
Transport114 USD✓174 USD
Healthcare23 USD✓26 USD
Lifestyle148 USD✓151 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,948 USD6,176 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.6%25.9%✓
Left over each month2,769 USD3,180 USD✓
Average local net salary3,000 USD3,500 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,880 USD1,600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,383 USD2,900 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre7,000 USD7,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety74/10078/100✓
Healthcare80/10084/100✓
Air quality92/100✓88/100
Public transport52/10060/100✓
Walkability60/10064/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife66/10072/100✓
Family friendliness84/10084/100
Median broadband150 Mbps✓95 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature15°C✓21°C
Summer high24°C✓29°C
Winter low8°C10°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,100 h2,900 h✓
Annual rainfall1200 mm1000 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access20 min✓40 min
CurrencyNZDAUD
Time zonePacific/AucklandAustralia/Brisbane

Brisbane runs about 6% cheaper than Auckland for this household, a difference of 183 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in AucklandCost of living in BrisbaneConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Auckland vs MelbourneAuckland vs SydneyAuckland vs Toronto
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Auckland or Brisbane cheaper?

Brisbane runs about 6% cheaper than Auckland for this household, a difference of 183 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Brisbane compared with Auckland?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,948 a month in Auckland and $6,176 in Brisbane, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Auckland or Brisbane?

Auckland scores 74/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; Brisbane scores 78 and 84. Auckland averages 15°C against 21°C in Brisbane.