Cost of living comparison
Melbourne is 12.1% more expensive than Brisbane.
- Restaurants
-
pay 1.7% more in Melbourne
- Groceries
-
pay 0.6% less in Melbourne
- Transportation
-
pay 7.0% more in Melbourne
- Housing
-
pay 9.5% less in Melbourne
- Childcare
-
pay 73.3% more in Melbourne
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 4.3% more in Melbourne
- Clothing
-
pay 8.4% more in Melbourne
The cost of childcare, clothing, transportation, entertainment and sports, and restaurants in Melbourne are more expensive than in Brisbane. Expenses including housing and groceries are lower in Melbourne.
If you lived in Melbourne instead of Brisbane, you would:
pay 1.7% more for restaurants
|
Brisbane
|
Melbourne
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$14.83
A$22.83
|
$16.48
A$25.37
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.89
A$15.22
|
$9.89
A$15.22
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.71
A$4.17
|
$2.65
A$4.08
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.35
A$3.61
|
$2.26
A$3.48
|
|
pay 0.6% less for groceries
|
Brisbane
|
Melbourne
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$2.32
A$3.58
|
$2.52
A$3.89
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$4.31
A$6.64
|
$4.55
A$7.01
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$6.12
A$9.42
|
$5.26
A$8.11
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.30
A$6.62
|
$4.09
A$6.29
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$3.83
A$5.90
|
$4.02
A$6.19
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$1.40
A$2.16
|
$1.42
A$2.19
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.25
A$1.93
|
$1.21
A$1.87
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.16
A$1.78
|
$1.19
A$1.83
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.76
A$2.71
|
$1.63
A$2.51
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.04
A$1.60
|
$1.01
A$1.55
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$0.92
A$1.42
|
$0.95
A$1.47
|
|
pay 7.0% more for transportation
|
Brisbane
|
Melbourne
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.96
A$7.63
|
$4.69
A$7.22
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$112.69
A$173.54
|
$118.63
A$182.67
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$28,334.99
A$43,632.57
|
$29,276.08
A$45,081.74
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$15.55
A$23.95
|
$19.44
A$29.94
|
|
pay 9.5% less for housing
|
Brisbane
|
Melbourne
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$53.86
A$82.93
|
$52.42
A$80.73
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,627.54
A$2,506.22
|
$1,479.56
A$2,278.35
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,349.97
A$2,078.79
|
$1,242.77
A$1,913.71
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$137.72
A$212.07
|
$112.74
A$173.60
|
|
pay 73.3% more for childcare
|
Brisbane
|
Melbourne
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,662.55
A$2,560.14
|
$1,828.91
A$2,816.30
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$8,828.46
A$13,594.80
|
$20,887.75
A$32,164.70
|
|
pay 4.3% more for entertainment and sports
|
Brisbane
|
Melbourne
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$7.91
A$12.18
|
$7.91
A$12.18
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.69
A$5.68
|
$3.46
A$5.33
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$26.36
A$40.59
|
$29.66
A$45.67
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$52.94
A$81.52
|
$52.73
A$81.20
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$13.18
A$20.30
|
$14.66
A$22.58
|
|
pay 8.4% more for clothing
|
Brisbane
|
Melbourne
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$73.99
A$113.93
|
$77.15
A$118.80
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$43.31
A$66.69
|
$49.87
A$76.80
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$102.88
A$158.43
|
$107.61
A$165.71
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$101.67
A$156.56
|
$111.32
A$171.42
|
|
Change currency:
Help us improve these prices
ASK THE ELSEWHERE COMMUNITY
Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Melbourne or Brisbane. It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.