The cost of living in Brisbane

Moving to a new city can be expensive, so it’s always a good idea to plan your budget before you begin packing boxes.

Once you’ve moved and settled into your new home, you’ll have to adjust to your new lifestyle. That’s why it’s a good idea to figure out how much living in Brisbane will cost you.

Everyone has different budgets and expenses, but this guide will help you work out the basic cost of living in Brisbane.

Moving to Brisbane? Get in touch with our local removalists today!

Finding housing in Brisbane

Compared to some Australian cities, the cost of living in Brisbane isn’t too bad. This is in part due to the lower housing prices here. Brisbane has many affordable housing options making it easy to find the perfect new home.

• One-bedroom apartment in inner-city: $1,730 to rent per month
• One-bedroom apartment in outer suburbs: $1,208 to rent per month
• Three-bedroom apartment in inner-city: $2,919 to rent per month
• Three-bedroom apartment in outer suburbs: $1,825 to rent per month

The mortgage rates are also lower here, sitting at around 4.08 per cent compared to 4.32 per cent in Melbourne and 4.37 per cent in Sydney.

Public Transport

In Brisbane, public transport fares are based on the zones you travel in. You can use Go Cards to easily travel on all methods of public transport, or buy single paper tickets for shorter trips. Go Cards make it easier to get around, and you can use them on trains, buses, and ferries.

Travelling within one zone costs $3.31 using a Go Card. This price goes up to a maximum of $19.96, depending on how many of the eight zones you travel in.

There are also concession fares available which will save you money if you are eligible.

Petrol

Petrol prices vary from day to day, but to get a better idea of your Brisbane cost of living it’s good to know the average prices.

Petrol in Brisbane is more expensive than in other cities. Here, the fuel costs around $1.50 per litre compared to $1.49 in Sydney and $1.45 in Melbourne.

It’s good to be aware of when the prices go up as well. You’ll find that during school holidays and on public holidays the fuel prices generally increase. Make sure you check the public holiday dates in Brisbane so you can ensure you don’t need to fill up on those days.

Food and groceries

If you want to lower your cost of living Brisbane, then it’s a good idea to think about what sort of food you’re going to buy. For example, you can buy:

• Milk here for around $1.34 per litre
• A dozen eggs for $3.98
• Beef for $15.55 per kilogram
• Cheese for $8.75 per kilogram

Eating out in Brisbane isn’t too expensive, depending on where you go. A basic lunch time meal and beverage on a workday costs around $17. For dinner, a meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost around $75, while a meal at a fast-food chain will cost around $12.

Utilities

The cost of living in Brisbane will be affected by what you spend on utilities.

• Basic utilities: Cost around $165 per month, including water, heating, cooling, and electricity
• Internet: Costs around $78 per month, depending on provider and service

You’ll also need to pay for your mobile phone with either a plan or prepaid.

Entertainment

Brisbane is a great place to live if you enjoy entertainment as it’s highly affordable.

All Cineplex cinemas in Brisbane sell adult tickets for just $8.50. This means you can see the latest movies whenever you want! There are seven of these around south-east Queensland, so you’ll be able to find one no matter where you are.

A basic dinner out for two will cost you around $58, while two tickets to the theatre will cost around $221.

There is also plenty of free entertainment in Brisbane, so it’s always a good idea to check what’s on if you’re looking for a bargain.

At WridgWays, we help you every step of the way to make sure your interstate move is as stress-free and streamlined as possible.

Our services include:

• Packing and unpacking your belongings
• Secure storage solutions
• Pet transportation
• End-of-lease cleaning
• Moving insurance

WridgWays Removalists is an established local, interstate and international removalist with the years of experience necessary for a smooth, easy move. WridgWays Removalists has 125 years of experience moving Australian families.