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Sydney vs Brisbane

Brisbane runs about 17% cheaper than Sydney for this household, a difference of 616 USD a month.

North Head National Park in Sydney is a perfect location to view the cliffs and the Pacific Ocean. Sydney Harbour National Park
Sydney
$3,612/month · Australia
Hardlinerr · 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
Sydney monthly
$3,612
Index 57 (NYC = 100)
Brisbane monthly
$2,996
Index 47 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-17%
Brisbane relative to Sydney
Rent gap
$500
Sydney costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SydneyBrisbane
  • Housing
    Housing: Sydney $2,100, Brisbane $1,600. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Food
    Food: Sydney $836, Brisbane $783. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Transport
    Transport: Sydney $222, Brisbane $174. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Sydney $156, Brisbane $159. Cheaper in Sydney.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Sydney $26, Brisbane $26. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Sydney $160, Brisbane $151. Cheaper in Brisbane.
  • Other
    Other: Sydney $112, 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

MetricSydneyBrisbane
Cost
Total monthly cost3,612 USD2,996 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5747✓
Housing2,100 USD1,600 USD✓
Utilities156 USD✓159 USD
Food836 USD783 USD✓
Transport222 USD174 USD✓
Healthcare26 USD26 USD✓
Lifestyle160 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 month2,564 USD3,180 USD✓
Average local net salary4,000 USD✓3,500 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD1,600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,900 USD2,900 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre12,000 USD7,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety76/10078/100✓
Healthcare86/100✓84/100
Air quality84/10088/100✓
Public transport74/100✓60/100
Walkability74/100✓64/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife84/100✓72/100
Family friendliness82/10084/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps95 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature18°C✓21°C
Summer high27°C✓29°C
Winter low8°C10°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h2,900 h✓
Annual rainfall1200 mm1000 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access10 min✓40 min
CurrencyAUDAUD
Time zoneAustralia/SydneyAustralia/Brisbane

Brisbane runs about 17% cheaper than Sydney for this household, a difference of 616 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in SydneyCost of living in BrisbaneConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Sydney vs AucklandSydney vs MelbourneSydney vs Amsterdam
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Sydney or Brisbane cheaper?

Brisbane runs about 17% cheaper than Sydney for this household, a difference of 616 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Brisbane compared with Sydney?

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

Which has better quality of life, Sydney or Brisbane?

Sydney scores 76/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Brisbane scores 78 and 84. Sydney averages 18°C against 21°C in Brisbane.