Vienna vs Brisbane
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Brisbane is ~2% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vienna
Austria
COL+Rent
55.3
Rent Index
30.6
Groceries
81.3
Restaurant
82.2
Brisbane
Australia
COL+Rent
54
Rent Index
38.3
Groceries
71.7
Restaurant
61.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vienna | Brisbane | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,391 | $1,702 | $311 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,068 | $1,270 | $202 |
| Groceries | $487 | $399 | +$88 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20 | $21 | $1 |
| Transit Pass | $62 | $94 | $32 |
| Utilities | $224 | $141 | +$83 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vienna | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,775/mo | $1,868/mo |
| Typical | $2,464/mo | $2,651/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,070/mo | $3,301/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vienna | ≈ in Brisbane | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,465/mo | -$35 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,953/mo | -$47 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,929/mo | -$71 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vienna vs Brisbane for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Brisbane is approximately 2% more affordable than Vienna when combining rent and daily living costs. Vienna's COL+Rent Index of 55.3 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 Vienna costs $1,391/month versus $1,702/month in Brisbane — 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 Vienna ($487/mo) vs Brisbane ($399/mo) reflect Brisbane's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $20 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.