Cost of Living in Brisbane: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

Are you planning to study abroad in Brisbane, Australia? If so, you might be wondering how much it will cost you to live in this sunny and vibrant city. Students going to Brisbane for their higher education should effectively manage the cost of living in Brisbane.

This blog will tell you everything you need to know about the cost of living in Brisbane. It includes accommodation, food, transportation, entertainment, education, and health care. We will also give you some tips on how to save money or budget in Brisbane. Read on to find out more!

Cost of Living in Brisbane Overview

The average monthly cost of living in Brisbane is approx AUD 1,640 without rent according to Numbeo. When factoring in rent, apartment costs typically range from AUD 2,000 to AUD 3,200 per month. However, these costs depend on various factors like your requirements, lifestyle, daily expenditure, etc.

Brisbane offers an amazing quality of life without breaking the bank compared to other big cities in Australia. For more clarity, the list below summarizes the different categories that contribute to the cost of living in Brisbane monthly:

Particulars	Average cost per month (approx)
Cost of 1 bedroom Apartment	AUD 2,000 – AUD 3200
Cost of Basic Utilities	AUD 282
Cost of Food and Groceries	AUD 754 – AUD 1,120
Cost of Transportation	AUD 193
Cost of Entertainment	AUD 68 – AUD 100
Cost of Healthcare	AUD 60 – AUD 100

Cost of Accommodation in Brisbane

When calculating the cost of living in Brisbane, housing is undoubtedly the most important expense to consider. The cost varies based on the location, size, and type of accommodation. For instance, a one-bedroom apartment in the Brisbane city centre typically costs around AUD 2,456. It is crucial to thoroughly research and compare housing options that align with your needs before moving to Brisbane. There are three types of accommodation that you can search for in Brisbane, their prices varying with location and type:

1. Student Housing – Built exclusively for students, it comes fully furnished with modern amenities and utility bills included in the rent itself.
2. Private apartments – These accommodations are owned by private companies and come with even better facilities for students.
3. University hall – This accommodation is located in the university, where students live together in quarters having a shared kitchen, bedroom, and common room.

To assist you, we have compiled data on the average cost of apartments both in the city and outside the city. Here’s the pricing of each of the above accommodations on a monthly basis:

Type of Accommodation	Approx Cost (per month )
University halls	AUD 440 – 1100
Shared Apartments	AUD 380 – 850
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	AUD 2,456
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	AUD 2,075
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	AUD 3,937
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	AUD 2,633

Also Read: Cost of Living in Bristol: Updated Prices, Other Cities Comparison

Cost of Food in Brisbane

Generally, it is expensive to eat outside in Brisbane, with an average meal costing around AUD 18-30 per day. Meals at inexpensive restaurants can cost around AUD 21. While dining out, a meal for 2 at a mid-range restaurant, including a three-course menu can cost around AUD 120.

If you go for McMeal at McDonalds it can cost you around AUD 15 for a combo meal. This expense can impact your cost of living in Brisbane. So cooking at home is advised for students to prevent spending unnecessarily on meals. Here’s an individual breakdown of all grocery items with their average cost:

Groceries Items	Average Cost
Bread (for 2)	AUD 2.14
Eggs (1 dozen)	AUD 5.95
White Rice (1 kg)	AUD 3.38
Regular Milk (1 lt)	AUD 2.14
Local Cheese (500 g)	AUD 13.87
Water (1.5 lt)	AUD 2.49
Apples (1 kg)	AUD 4.75
Tomatoes (1 kg)	AUD 5.61
Potatoes (1 kg)	AUD 3.70
Domestic Beer (0.5 lt)	AUD 8.12
Onion (1kg)	AUD 3.23
Lettuce (1 head)	AUD 3.05

Cost of Utility in Brisbane

The expenses for utilities and bills for international students in Brisbane also depend on your choice of accommodation and usage. If you live in a catered accommodation, such as a homestay or a residential college. Your utilities (gas, electricity, water) may be included in your rent. The monthly utility costs for a one-bedroom apartment in Brisbane can be approximately AUD 282.

If you live in a private rental home, you may have to pay for these separately. It’s essential to factor in utility expenses when planning your monthly budget. As they are an important part of the overall cost of living in Brisbane. Given below are the average costs of utilities and bills per month:

Utility Type	Approx Cost
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	AUD 282
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	AUD 35
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	AUD 96

Cost of Transportation in Brisbane

Transportation costs for students in Brisbane depend on their choice of mode and frequency of travel. Brisbane has a public transport system that includes buses, trains and ferries. You can use a GO card to pay for your fares and get discounts as a tertiary student. Transportation costs in Brisbane are crucial, as they significantly influence the overall cost of living in Brisbane.

The average cost of a monthly public transport ticket in Brisbane is around AUD 193. However, it may vary depending on how far and how often you travel. Refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of transportation expenses in the Brisbane area:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Ticket for Local Public transport	AUD 4.34
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport	AUD 193
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 1 km	AUD 2.29
Normal Tariff of taxi for 1 hour Waiting	AUD 51.60
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol	AUD 2.00

Also Read: Cost of Living in Paris: A Comprehensive Guide on Expenses

Cost of Entertainment in Brisbane

For entertainment, you may spend money on things like cinema tickets, coffee, eating out, or visiting attractions. These are the additional expenses beyond the essential cost of living in Brisbane. Take a look at the table below for the average costs of some entertainment options per person:

Type of Entertainment	Approx Costs
Cinema ticket (concession rate)	AUD 20
A regular cup of coffee	AUD 4.50
Big Mac	AUD 6.60
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	AUD 79.36
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	AUD 27

Cost of Healthcare in Brisbane

Apart from the cost of living in Brisbane, the other essential expense is the cost of healthcare. For healthcare, you will need to have an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as part of your student visa requirements. This will cover some of your medical expenses, such as doctor visits, hospital treatment, ambulance cover and certain prescription medicines.

The cost of OSHC depends on the provider and the duration of your stay. However, it can cost you AUD 470 per year. You may have to pay for some services that are not covered by OSHC, such as dental care, physiotherapy, or optical care. The cost of these services may vary depending on the provider and your condition.

Average Tuition Fees in Brisbane

In addition to handling the cost of living in Brisbane, students can better manage their budgets by researching the average tuition fees at Brisbane universities. Please keep in mind that in Brisbane, tuition fees vary depending on the university, program, and level of study. Below is a summary table showing tuition fees at some selected universities in Istanbul:

University Name	Degree	Approx Annual Tuition Fee
The University of Queensland	Bachelor’s	AUD 61,850
	Master’s	AUD 37,646
	MBA	AUD 77,376
	MS Management	AUD 62,160
	Others	AUD 13,440
Queensland University of Technology	Bachelor’s	AUD 29,952
	Master’s	AUD 27,766
Federation University Australia	Bachelor’s	AUD 53,308
	Master’s	AUD 36,500 – AUD 61,800
	MBA	AUD 76,780
Holmes Institute	Bachelor’s	AUD 40,000
	MS/MA Degree	AUD 21,000
	MBA	AUD 108,000
James Cook University	Bachelor’s	AUD 44,900
	MS Degree	AUD 39,278
Queensland Institute of Business and	–	AUD 20,281.27
TAFE Queensland SkillsTech	Bachelor’s	AUD 16,048
	MBA/MIM	AUD 16,330
Southbank Institute of Technology	Bachelor’s	AUD 17,768
	MIM/MS/M.Arch	AUD 13,917

The Cost of Living in Brisbane Compared to Other Cities

Looking at the cost of living in Brisbane compared to other cities reveals some differences. Brisbane is one of the most expensive places to live in Australia, with high housing costs being a significant factor. Brisbane offers an amazing lifestyle without compromising too much in terms of convenience and quality.

So to give you an idea of ​​how the cost of living in Brisbane compares to other cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Canberra, the UK, Perth, London, Adelaide, Singapore, and Gold Coast. In other cities, we’ve given the cost of living (not including rent). Please have a look:

Cost of Living City/Country Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Brisbane
Cost of Living in Melbourne	AUD 1,593	Lower than Brisbane
Cost of Living in Sydney	AUD 1,723	Higher than Brisbane
Cost of Living in Auckland	AUD 1653	Higher than Brisbane
Cost of Living in Canberra	AUD 1,929	Higher than Brisbane
Cost of Living in the UK	AUD 1569	Lower than Brisbane
Cost of Living in Perth	AUD 1,735	Higher than Brisbane
Cost of Living in London	AUD 2143	Higher than Brisbane
Cost of Living in Adelaide	AUD 1,895	Higher than Brisbane
Cost of Living in Singapore	AUD 1682	Higher than Brisbane
Cost of Living in Gold Coast	AUD 1,547	Lower than Brisbane

Also Read: Cost of Living in Melbourne: Expense Guide 2024

Why Choose Brisbane to Study Abroad?

Being a culturally diverse and friendly city, Brisbane has a population of nearly 2.2 million people. In addition to being able to afford the cost of living in Brisbane, here’s why international students choose Brisbane as their study abroad destination:

• The city holds the Brisbane Welcomes International Students Festival, Australia’s largest city Orientation Day where international students get a chance to explore all that Brisbane offers, meet the Lord Mayor personally and enjoy free music and food. 
• Brisbane is home to three universities ranked among the top universities in the world – The University of Queensland, Griffith University, and the Queensland University of Technology – offering a wide range of courses and programs for international students.
• The city is a major business hub and has one of the fastest-growing state economies in the country. It also has more sunny days per year than any other Australian capital city.
• Brisbane has many attractions and activities for international students, such as Southbend Parklands, River cruises, Mt. Coot-tha lookout, Riverlife Adventure Centre, XXXX Brewery, and Fortitude Valley.

Tips to Reduce the Cost of Living in Brisbane

Now that you have an understanding of the average cost of living in Brisbane, if it exceeds your budget, fret not. There are several strategies to help you reduce expenses. Here are some valuable tips for international students aiming to trim their living costs in Brisbane:

1. Choose a cheaper accommodation option, such as a shared house, a homestay, or a student hostel. 
2. Cook your own meals at home instead of eating out. You can buy groceries at discount supermarkets or markets, and plan your meals ahead to avoid food waste.
3. Use public transport instead of driving or taking taxis. 
4. Take advantage of free or low-cost entertainment options, such as visiting parks, museums, libraries, festivals, or events. 
5. Compare different providers and plans for your utilities, phone, and internet. 
6. Shop around for your OSHC and other health services by looking for bulk-billing doctors or low-cost dental clinics in your area.
7. Apply for scholarships, grants, or part-time jobs to supplement your income.

Relevant Reads:

Cost of Living in Perth: A Comprehensive Guide	Cost of Living in Rotterdam: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Living in Wales: A Comprehensive Guide on Wales’s Expense	Cost of Living in Arizona: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Living in Brussels: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Scotland: A Guide on Expected Expenses

FAQs on Cost of Living in Brisbane

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