Brisbane vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Brisbane is ~2% 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
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Brisbane | Vienna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,702 | $1,391 | +$311 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,270 | $1,068 | +$202 |
| Groceries | $399 | $487 | $88 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $20 | +$1 |
| Transit Pass | $94 | $62 | +$32 |
| Utilities | $141 | $224 | $83 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Brisbane | Vienna |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,868/mo | $1,775/mo |
| Typical | $2,651/mo | $2,464/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,301/mo | $3,070/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Brisbane | ≈ in Vienna | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,536/mo | +$36 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,048/mo | +$48 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,072/mo | +$72 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Brisbane vs Vienna for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Brisbane is approximately 2% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Brisbane's COL+Rent Index of 54 vs Vienna's 55.3 (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 $1,391/month in Vienna — giving Vienna a $311/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $3,732 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Brisbane ($399/mo) vs Vienna ($487/mo) reflect Brisbane's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 vs $20 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.