Skip to content

Brisbane vs Auckland

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

Brisbane CBD seen from Mount Coot-tha Lookout, 2025
Brisbane
$2,996/month · Australia
Chris Olszewski · CC BY-SA 4.0
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 monthly
$2,996
Index 47 (NYC = 100)
Auckland monthly
$3,179
Index 50 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+6%
Auckland relative to Brisbane
Rent gap
$280
Auckland costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BrisbaneAuckland
  • Housing
    Housing: Brisbane $1,600, Auckland $1,880. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Food
    Food: Brisbane $783, Auckland $758. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Transport
    Transport: Brisbane $174, Auckland $114. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Brisbane $159, Auckland $160. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Brisbane $26, Auckland $23. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Brisbane $151, Auckland $148. Cheaper in Auckland.
  • Other
    Other: Brisbane $103, Auckland $96. 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

MetricBrisbaneAuckland
Cost
Total monthly cost2,996 USD✓3,179 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)47✓50
Housing1,600 USD✓1,880 USD
Utilities159 USD✓160 USD
Food783 USD758 USD✓
Transport174 USD114 USD✓
Healthcare26 USD23 USD✓
Lifestyle151 USD148 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,176 USD✓5,948 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.9%✓28.6%
Left over each month3,180 USD✓2,769 USD
Average local net salary3,500 USD✓3,000 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,600 USD✓1,880 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,900 USD✓3,383 USD
Buy price per m², centre7,000 USD7,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety78/100✓74/100
Healthcare84/100✓80/100
Air quality88/10092/100✓
Public transport60/100✓52/100
Walkability64/100✓60/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife72/100✓66/100
Family friendliness84/10084/100
Median broadband95 Mbps150 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature21°C15°C✓
Summer high29°C24°C✓
Winter low10°C✓8°C
Sunshine hours per year2,900 h✓2,100 h
Annual rainfall1000 mm✓1200 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access40 min20 min✓
CurrencyAUDNZD
Time zoneAustralia/BrisbanePacific/Auckland

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

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in BrisbaneCost of living in AucklandConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Brisbane vs MelbourneBrisbane vs SydneyBrisbane vs Stockholm
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Brisbane or Auckland cheaper?

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

What salary do you need in Auckland compared with Brisbane?

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

Which has better quality of life, Brisbane or Auckland?

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