Brisbane vs Dublin
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Brisbane is ~30% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Brisbane
Australia
COL+Rent
54
Rent Index
38.3
Groceries
71.7
Restaurant
61.4
Dublin
Ireland
COL+Rent
77.5
Rent Index
74.2
Groceries
74.1
Restaurant
78.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Brisbane | Dublin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,702 | $3,142 | $1,440 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,270 | $2,455 | $1,185 |
| Groceries | $399 | $420 | $21 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $24 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $94 | $114 | $20 |
| Utilities | $141 | $225 | $84 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Brisbane | Dublin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,868/mo | $3,184/mo |
| Typical | $2,651/mo | $4,261/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,301/mo | $5,176/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Brisbane | ≈ in Dublin | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,153/mo | +$653 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,870/mo | +$870 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,306/mo | +$1,306 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Brisbane vs Dublin for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Brisbane is approximately 30% more affordable than Dublin when combining rent and daily living costs. Brisbane's COL+Rent Index of 54 vs Dublin's 77.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Brisbane costs $1,702/month versus $3,142/month in Dublin — giving Brisbane a $1,440/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $17,280 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Brisbane ($399/mo) vs Dublin ($420/mo) reflect Brisbane's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 vs $24 show Brisbane is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Brisbane offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,651 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.