How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Brisbane?

Brisbane recently overtook Melbourne as the second most expensive city to live in Australia. But don’t let this dampen your excitement about moving to Queensland’s capital, there are ways to keep costs down and live comfortably.

By following a clear and considered budget that takes into account all the extras, you can make the most of the city without scraping through the basic cost of living.

Lucky for you we’ve done the legwork to put together a realistic budget for the Brisbane lifestyle.

In this article we outline clear and up-to-date budgets for:

• Brisbane property market (renting and buying options covered)
• Vehicle and transport expenses
• Food and dining costs
• Electricity & household bills

And since budgets are all relative to the amount that you earn, we’ve got the info on Brisbane wages and salaries too.

Brisbane property market - the cost of renting and buying

Whether you choose to buy or rent in Brisbane will entirely depend on your future plans, current budget and preferred lifestyle. So, we’re covering all bases with a complete overview of the Brisbane property market - buying and renting costs.

Average rent in Brisbane

As is the case in most parts of Australia, rental costs in Brisbane have seen a dramatic rise over the past 12 - 24 months.

As it stands CoreLogic Data puts the median rental price in Brisbane at $649 per week.

While median prices are a good indicator, the actual cost will vary greatly depending on where you choose to settle in Brisbane and the type of property you are looking for.

Detailed below is a list of median house and unit rental costs across each area in Brisbane.

As is to be expected, rental prices are highest in Brisbane’s inner, CBD and eastern suburbs. However, more budget friendly options exist in the city’s south and western suburbs. House sharing is also a popular way to bring down weekly costs in the more popular areas.

Weekly budget: $300 to rent a room / $733 to live alone

Buying a property in Brisbane

The median house price in Brisbane is $976,464 and this figure is rising roughly 1.5 times faster than in March 2024 and double that of the same time the year prior. This means, house prices are set to surpass $1 million over the next few months.

• To put down a 20% deposit on a property of this value you would need $195,292.

• According to the RBA, the average mortgage rate offered by Australian lenders is currently 6.22% for new loans (average interest rate June 2024).

• At this rate your mortgage repayments would come to roughly $1,116 per week. Or $4,836 per month.

Southern suburbs are also worth exploring as they offer cheaper property prices. Areas like Beenleigh and Logan have become more popular over recent years thanks to their lower property prices and easy connection to the CBD by train or public transport.

The median house price in Logan is just $465,000.

Based on this property value you could pay a 20% deposit of $93,000 leaving a loan of $372,000 and weekly repayments of roughly $537 per week.

Weekly cost: $537 - $1,116

Depending on the area you choose and whether you choose to live independently or with house mates.

How much will I spend on food in Brisbane each week?

Naturally the amount you will spend on groceries each week when you live in Brisbane will depend on your personal preferences and dietary requirements. We’ve included the average weekly costs for students, singles and families as a guide to budgeting.

• Student: $129 - $258

• Single: $196

• Family: $503

If you're on a tight food budget, there are a number a tactics to save money on groceries.

Average electricity bill in Brisbane (and other household bills)

Budget Direct estimates the average monthly cost in Brisbane for basic utilities including electricity, heating, water and garbage for an apartment of 85m2 is $308.62 per month / $71.22 per week.

If you also have internet and a mobile phone with data and monthly pan you can expect to pay a little more still:

Internet $76.12 per month / $17.56 per week*

Mobile phone: $35.31 per month / $8 per week*

*Internet with 60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, Cable/ADSL) and Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data

Interestingly the average cost of utility bills is cheaper in Brisbane than the national average.

NOTE: While these figures detail the average costs for utilities, it’s important to note that your needs will vary depending on the season (extra power throughout summer / winter to cater for heating, cooling and water needs.)

Weekly cost: $97 - $120

Transportation costs in Brisbane

Brisbane has an extensive public transport system that includes buses, trains and ferries. People in Brisbane spend an average $59.67 per week on public transport.

Despite relatively cheap and accessible public transport, many Brisbane residents still choose to use a car as their way of getting around. If you’re planning on using a car, it’s important to factor in all of the associated costs into your weekly budget.

• Fuel: In Brisbane, car owners spend an average $103.60 per week on fuel
• Car loan payments (if applicable) : $210.14 per week
• Insurance: An average $61.02 per week
• Servicing and tyres: $30.21 per week
• Roadside assistance $2.23 per week
• Registration, CTP & Licensing: $32.03 per week
• Tolls: $61.20 per week

Weekly cost: $500.43 per person, per week (car costs including estimated loan repayments)

Restaurant and bar prices in Brisbane

Foodies will not be disappointed by Brisbane’s selection of dining and drinking venues. From riverside Italians to modern mexican and more, there’s something for everyone. The best thing about the variety of dining options is that you can enjoy great food without always needing a huge budget.

We’ve looked at bars, restaurants and cafes in the central city to give you an idea around the type of dining and drinking budget you may need to account for.

On average, eating out in Brisbane will set you back about $80 for a main and a few drinks.

Weekly cost: $80 - $100

What will I spend on entertainment in the city?

Brisbane is home to some beautiful parklands, scenic lookouts and bustling markets - none of which cost anything to enjoy. However, there are also a number of concerts, conventions, sporting events and social activities that are available to you with a low - moderate weekly budget.

General admission to high end concerts will usually cost from $130. Sporting events such as NRL, soccer matches etc. offer tickets starting from around $30 per adult and there are usually games on every weekend.

Bowling, escape rooms and karaoke are also highly popular in and around Brisbane.

Bowling will set you back about $25 a game while Karaoke is about $100 per hour and escape rooms about $40 each time.

Weekly cost: $25 - $150

How much can I expect to spend to live basically in Brisbane?

Based on the above budget (low end costs, renting a room in a shared house etc.) we estimate a single person would spend around $52,126 a year.

If $52,126 covers the basics, how much do I need to earn to live comfortably?

If you’re spending around $52,000 on the cost of living in Brisbane you’ll need to earn more than this to afford this lifestyle after tax.

Single people should aim to earn at least $75,000 to live in Brisbane. This leaves you with around $60,000 cash in hand after tax which leaves a little left over for trips, treats or savings.

Having children in Brisbane will significantly increase the amount you need to earn in order to live comfortably. Instarem estimates a family of four would need to earn at least $130,000 (combined income) to cover cost of living essentials.

To live more comfortably a family would need to earn $150,000, although this still would not leave a lot for savings or big surprise expenditures.

What’s the average salary in Brisbane?

The average salary in Brisbane Australia is just under $80,000.

Remember, this is just the average wage, so if you’re working in a high-paying industry or profession, you may expect to earn more.

Some of the most popular jobs in Brisbane include:

• Pilot
• Pharmacist
• Bartender
• Bank teller
• Personal trainer
• Registered Nurse

These roles pay anywhere between $47,000 and $107,000 per year.

Moving to Brisbane

If you're looking to make the move to Brisbane, you can make the process simple and stress-free by booking with Upmove. You’ll get access to Australia’s most trusted and professional removalists, so you have peace of mind during the move.