The Queensland capital of Brisbane is a brilliant city to live in.
It boasts a warm climate, plenty of sunshine across the year, strong employment opportunities and world-class beaches within easy reach.
It will also be the host city of the 2032 Olympic Games.
Brisbane – which is Australia’s third-biggest city – comes with an added bonus, too.
That is cheaper cost of living than Sydney and Melbourne.
If you’re considering a move to Brisbane, here are some things to consider.
While far from ‘cheap’, Brisbane housing prices are lower than that of Sydney and Melbourne – which is a key reason why the cost of living in the Queensland capital is lower.
For the December quarter of 2023, the median weekly rent paid for houses in Brisbane was $600 per week – compared to $730 in Sydney.
The median rent for a unit in Brisbane was $560 per week – compared to $680 in Sydney.
For those looking to buy a property, the savings are even greater.
Brisbane had a median house value of $888,628 – compared to Sydney’s $1,395,218 and Melbourne’s $942,750.
When it came to buying a unit, Brisbane had a median unit value of $568,595 – compared to Sydney’s $828,525 and Melbourne’s $608,181.
Food and grocery prices in Brisbane are comparable to other Australian states.
One study found that in 2023, Queensland households spent an average of $189 per week on groceries – marginally less than Victorian ($193 per week) and New South Wales ($190 per week) households.
Queensland grows a lot of fruit and vegetables, so fresh produce prices can be lower in Brisbane compared to other cities.
Brisbane households enjoy some of the lowest utility bills in the country.
According to Canstar Blue research in December 2023, quarterly electricity bills in Queensland averaged $315 – the second-cheapest in the country.
Queensland also had the second-cheapest gas bills – at a quarterly average of $179 per household.
However, Queensland did have the highest average water bills, which came in at $235 per quarter.
Comparatively, average quarterly water bills in Victoria were $208 and in New South Wales they were $216.
While electricity and gas might come cheaper, petrol doesn’t in Brisbane.
In 2023, Brisbane recorded the highest average unleaded petrol price among all of Australia’s capital cities at 193.4 cents per litre.
Drivers in Perth paid just 183.9 cents per litre on average across the year, while Melbourne came in at 191.9 cents a litre and Sydney motorists forked out 190.7 cents a litre.
Public transport prices in Brisbane vary depending on how many zones are travelled and whether the travel is during peak times or off-peak.
In 2024, a single-trip off-peak fare for one zone cost $2.84.
Brisbane has some great options for going, at prices comparable to other Australian cities.
A meal at an affordable restaurant will generally cost between $20 and $30.
In 2023, the average price of a 0.5 litres of draught beer in Brisbane was $11.60.
The cost of living in Brisbane will vary, depending on one’s individual circumstances.
However, Brisbane is considered to be a more affordable place to live than Sydney and Melbourne, with lower housing prices playing a big factor.
If you are preparing for an interstate move to Brisbane, be sure to enlist the help of a trusted interstate removalist like us at Fragile Removals & Storage.
We have been providing top quality service at highly-competitive prices across Australia for more than 15 years.
To discuss all your moving needs, give us a call today on 1800 500 584.
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