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Melbourne vs Brisbane

Melbourne and Brisbane cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

melbourne from shrine of rememberance
Melbourne
$3,119/month · Australia
Melbpal · CC BY-SA 4.0
Brisbane CBD seen from Mount Coot-tha Lookout, 2025
Brisbane
$2,996/month · Australia
Chris Olszewski · CC BY-SA 4.0
Melbourne monthly
$3,119
Index 49 (NYC = 100)
Brisbane monthly
$2,996
Index 47 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-4%
Brisbane relative to Melbourne
Rent gap
$100
Melbourne costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

MelbourneBrisbane
  • Housing
    Housing: Melbourne $1,700, Brisbane $1,600. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Food
    Food: Melbourne $804, Brisbane $783. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Transport
    Transport: Melbourne $180, Brisbane $174. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Melbourne $153, Brisbane $159. Cheaper in Melbourne.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Melbourne $26, Brisbane $26. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Melbourne $152, Brisbane $151. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Other
    Other: Melbourne $105, Brisbane $103. Cheaper in Brisbane.
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

MetricMelbourneBrisbane
Cost
Total monthly cost3,119 USD2,996 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4947✓
Housing1,700 USD1,600 USD✓
Utilities153 USD✓159 USD
Food804 USD783 USD✓
Transport180 USD174 USD✓
Healthcare26 USD26 USD✓
Lifestyle152 USD151 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,176 USD6,176 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.9%25.9%
Left over each month3,057 USD3,180 USD✓
Average local net salary3,700 USD✓3,500 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,700 USD1,600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,200 USD2,900 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre8,500 USD7,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety74/10078/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓84/100
Air quality86/10088/100✓
Public transport84/100✓60/100
Walkability82/100✓64/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife92/100✓72/100
Family friendliness84/10084/100
Median broadband90 Mbps95 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature15°C✓21°C
Summer high26°C✓29°C
Winter low6°C10°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,200 h2,900 h✓
Annual rainfall650 mm✓1000 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min✓40 min
CurrencyAUDAUD
Time zoneAustralia/MelbourneAustralia/Brisbane

Melbourne and Brisbane cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Cost of living in MelbourneCost of living in BrisbaneConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Melbourne or Brisbane cheaper?

Melbourne and Brisbane cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Brisbane compared with Melbourne?

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

Which has better quality of life, Melbourne or Brisbane?

Melbourne scores 74/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; Brisbane scores 78 and 84. Melbourne averages 15°C against 21°C in Brisbane.