Brisbane vs Perth
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Brisbane is ~3% 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
Perth
Australia
COL+Rent
55.7
Rent Index
39.5
Groceries
74
Restaurant
63.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Brisbane | Perth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,702 | $1,758 | $56 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,270 | $1,311 | $41 |
| Groceries | $399 | $412 | $13 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $22 | $1 |
| Transit Pass | $94 | $97 | $3 |
| Utilities | $141 | $146 | $5 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Brisbane | Perth |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,868/mo | $1,930/mo |
| Typical | $2,651/mo | $2,743/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,301/mo | $3,419/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Brisbane | ≈ in Perth | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,547/mo | +$47 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,063/mo | +$63 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,094/mo | +$94 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Brisbane vs Perth for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Brisbane is approximately 3% more affordable than Perth when combining rent and daily living costs. Brisbane's COL+Rent Index of 54 vs Perth's 55.7 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Brisbane costs $1,702/month versus $1,758/month in Perth — giving Brisbane a $56/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Brisbane ($399/mo) vs Perth ($412/mo) reflect Brisbane's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 vs $22 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.