Perth vs Brisbane
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Brisbane is ~3% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Perth
Australia
COL+Rent
55.7
Rent Index
39.5
Groceries
74
Restaurant
63.3
Brisbane
Australia
COL+Rent
54
Rent Index
38.3
Groceries
71.7
Restaurant
61.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Perth | Brisbane | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,758 | $1,702 | +$56 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,311 | $1,270 | +$41 |
| Groceries | $412 | $399 | +$13 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $21 | +$1 |
| Transit Pass | $97 | $94 | +$3 |
| Utilities | $146 | $141 | +$5 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Perth | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,930/mo | $1,868/mo |
| Typical | $2,743/mo | $2,651/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,419/mo | $3,301/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Perth | ≈ in Brisbane | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,454/mo | -$46 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,939/mo | -$61 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,908/mo | -$92 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Perth vs Brisbane for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Brisbane is approximately 3% more affordable than Perth when combining rent and daily living costs. Perth's COL+Rent Index of 55.7 vs Brisbane's 54 (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 Perth costs $1,758/month versus $1,702/month in Brisbane — 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 Perth ($412/mo) vs Brisbane ($399/mo) reflect Brisbane's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $21 show Brisbane offers cheaper dining. 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.