Cost of Living Comparison: Brisbane vs Melbourne vs Sydney (2025 Update)

Dreaming of a move to an Australian city? Or perhaps you're already here and wondering how your budget stacks up? Understanding the real cost of living is key. As we move into 2025, prices for everything from housing to daily groceries are constantly shifting. This guide breaks down the essential expenses across Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, giving you a clear picture of where your money will go furthest. Let's explore which city offers the best value for your lifestyle.

The Overall Picture: Which Australian City is Most Affordable?

When you look at the average expenses across Australia's major cities, a consistent pattern of affordability emerges. This ranking is vital for anyone planning their household budget or considering a relocation, reflecting each region's broader economic indicators.

• Sydney: The Nation's Priciest Metropolis. Sydney consistently holds its title as Australia's most expensive city, presenting significant financial challenges across nearly all categories. Its global city status, strong job market, and iconic harbour views come with a hefty price tag, particularly in the real estate market. Sydney ranked 37th globally in the 2025 Cost of Living Index by City (excluding rent), highlighting its high base expenses. When rent is factored in, its relative cost only increases.
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• Melbourne: A Cultural Hub with Moderate Costs. Often hailed as Australia's cultural capital, Melbourne offers a compelling blend of vibrant arts, world-class dining, and diverse employment opportunities. While not cheap, its living costs are generally more manageable than Sydney's, striking a balance between a high quality of life and somewhat more accessible expenses. Melbourne ranked 84th globally (excluding rent) and climbs higher when rental costs are included, sitting below Sydney but above Brisbane in overall expense.
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• Brisbane: The Budget-Friendly Gateway to Queensland. Brisbane continues to cement its reputation as the most affordable major capital city on the east coast. With a growing economy, relaxed sub-tropical lifestyle, and ongoing infrastructure development, it offers a compelling proposition for those seeking greater disposable income without sacrificing urban amenities. Its lower median dwelling prices and transport costs significantly contribute to its appeal. Notably, Brisbane has been ranked as the second-most cost-of-living friendly city globally in a 2025 index by Compare the Market, largely due to its public transport fares.

Housing and Rent: Your Biggest Financial Commitment

For most individuals and families, accommodation costs represent the single largest slice of the monthly budget. The rental market trends in mid-2025 continue to show pressure across all major cities, though the intensity varies. Factors like vacancy rates, new housing supply, and population growth heavily influence rent prices and housing affordability.

• Sydney (New South Wales):

  • - Sydney's property market remains notoriously competitive. As of March 2025, the median weekly rent for all properties (houses and units combined) reached a record $775 AUD (Domain Insight).
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  • - For a 1-bedroom inner-city apartment, ideal for singles or couples, you can expect to pay between $2,500 and $3,200 per month (approximately $625-$800 per week).
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  • - The median weekly rent specifically for units was $725/week in March 2025, while houses hit $775/week.
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  • - For a single person living alone, average rent is estimated at $2,342/month.
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  • - A family requiring a larger dwelling would typically face average rental expenses of $4,271/month.
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  • - Insight: Sydney's demand consistently outstrips supply, leading to significantly higher rental yields for property owners but substantial costs for tenants. While there has been a recent slowdown in the pace of rent growth, prices remain at record highs. Exploring suburban areas further from the CBD might offer marginal relief, but overall, housing affordability remains a significant challenge, impacting the overall living standards of many residents. For more detailed insights, check out our blog on cost of living in Sydney.
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• Melbourne (Victoria):

  • - Melbourne’s rental market offers a comparative respite, though it’s still highly competitive. In March 2025, the median weekly rent for all properties was $580/week (Domain Insight).
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  • - A 1-bedroom inner-city apartment typically ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 per month (approximately $500-$750 per week), offering a noticeable saving compared to Sydney.
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  • - For a single person, average monthly rent is estimated at $1,904.
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  • - Families generally budget around $3,084/month for their accommodation needs.
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  • - Insight: Melbourne's extensive public transport network allows for living further out in more affordable commuter belts without severely impacting journey times to the city centre. The diverse range of residential properties, from grand Victorian homes to modern high-rise units, caters to various preferences, providing some flexibility in property types and cost. To deep dive further into specific expenses, read our blog on the cost of living in Melbourne.
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• Brisbane (Queensland):

  • - Brisbane consistently offers the most competitive rental prices among the three cities for overall properties. In March 2025, the median weekly rent was $650/week (Domain Insight). While houses are generally higher than Melbourne, units might offer better value.
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  • - A 1-bedroom inner-city apartment typically falls within the $1,879 - $2,382 per month range.
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  • - Average monthly rent for a single person is approximately $1,921.
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  • - For families, the average monthly rent is around $3,194.
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  • - Insight: Brisbane's ongoing population growth is certainly putting pressure on the housing market Brisbane, but its relative affordability in rent and median house prices still makes it an attractive destination for new residents and those seeking a better disposable income. The city's infrastructure development in South East Queensland (SEQ) continues to open up new, accessible housing options. Brisbane has also seen strong rental growth in the last year (8.3%), indicating increasing demand. Find out more about specific expenses in our blog on the cost of living in Brisbane.
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Transport Costs: Getting Around Your City

Commuter costs can significantly impact your overall household budget. Each city has a distinct public transport network and associated expenses, alongside varying costs for car ownership and fuel prices. The Australian Automobile Association's (AAA) Affordability Index (Q4 2024 data) provides excellent insights here.

• Sydney:

  • Sydney is Australia's most expensive city for transportation expenses.
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  • Average annual household spending on transport was a hefty $29,337 in Q4 2024.
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  • A monthly public transport pass (Opal card) typically costs $160 - $180 AUD. Weekly costs can range from $32-$70 depending on travel zones.
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  • For a single person, average monthly transport costs are estimated at $585.
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  • A family's typical monthly transport outlay can be as high as $1,520.
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  • Insight: High car ownership costs (including tolls, insurance, and fuel prices) and relatively expensive public transport contribute to Sydney's higher overall transport expenses. While the network is extensive, the cost of getting around is a significant factor in overall lifestyle costs.
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• Melbourne:

  • Melbourne's integrated Myki public transport system (trams, trains, buses) is comprehensive.
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  • A monthly Myki pass typically costs around $160 AUD. Weekly costs are approximately $50 AUD.
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  • Average annual household spending on transport was $27,369 in Q4 2024.
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  • Average monthly transport for a single person is around $463.
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  • For families, this figure rises to approximately $1,178/month.
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  • Insight: Melbourne's extensive tram network offers excellent inner-city coverage, making it feasible for many to live without a car in the CBD and inner suburbs. Despite this, Melbourne is noted as the second least affordable city for transport when considering income, and is the most expensive city for public transport on a weekly basis according to some reports.
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• Brisbane:

  • Brisbane consistently ranks as the most affordable capital for transport expenses.
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  • Average annual household spending on transport was significantly lower at $23,073 (or $443.71 per month) in Q4 2024.
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  • A monthly public transport pass (TransLink go card) is notably more affordable, around $109.55 AUD.
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  •  Critically, the Queensland Government made 50-cent public transport fares permanent in early 2025, making Brisbane easily the cheapest city for public transport commutes. Weekly costs can be as low as $5.
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  • Average monthly transport for a single person is around $233.
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  • For families, this figure is roughly $637/month.
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  • Insight: Brisbane's 50-cent fare initiative has significantly boosted its transport affordability. This, combined with competitive fuel prices (around $1.79/litre in March 2025) and ongoing infrastructure development, positions Brisbane as the clear leader in low travel expenses.

Utilities and Other Monthly Expenses: Keeping the Lights On

Beyond the big three, a range of other household services contribute to your average expenses. These include energy bills, water rates, and telecommunications.

• Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas):

  • - Sydney: Approx. $167 - $258/month (single/family). Electricity costs vary by provider but generally sit around $300-$500 per quarter for a typical household.
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  • - Melbourne: Approx. $200 - $300/month for a standard apartment.
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  • - Brisbane: Averaging $194.97/month for an 85m² apartment. Queensland has also introduced electricity rebates (ranging from $550 to $1,300) to help ease pressure.
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  • - Insight: While energy bills have been a concern nationally, government rebates and careful usage can help manage these costs. Water rates are fairly consistent.
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• Internet (60Mbps+ NBN plan):

  • - Expect to pay approximately $60 - $80/month across all cities for reliable broadband from various internet providers.
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• Mobile Phone Plan (10GB+ data):

  • - A decent mobile phone plan will typically cost $40 - $60/month, with competitive options available from various telecommunications providers.
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• Healthcare & Medical Expenses:
  • - Australia operates on a universal healthcare system, Medicare, which provides free or subsidised access to doctors and public hospitals for citizens and permanent residents.
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  • - Many choose to supplement this with private health insurance, which can add $100/month or more to your expenses, depending on coverage levels and the health fund. Costs for private insurance are generally comparable across the cities.
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  • - Insight: While the core public system is accessible, private health insurance is a significant optional expense that many Australians factor into their financial planning. 
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• Childcare:

  • - Childcare costs are substantial across all major Australian cities, with daily rates ranging from $100 to $180 per child before government subsidies (Child Care Subsidy). While subsidies help significantly, this remains a major household expense for families with young children. Availability of places can also be a challenge in high-demand areas.
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• Education Costs:

  • - Public schools are free for Australian citizens and permanent residents.
     
  • - Private school fees vary dramatically, from $5,000 to over $40,000 per year, and are largely consistent across the major cities for comparable institutions.
     
  • - University tuition fees for domestic students are regulated by the government. However, living expenses for students will vary significantly based on the chosen city and accommodation type (on-campus, shared housing). Brisbane generally offers a more affordable student life.

Moving Costs: The Relocation Factor

For those contemplating an interstate move, the initial outlay can be considerable. These relocation costs depend heavily on the volume of belongings and the distance.

• Professional Removalists:

  • For a 3-bedroom house, interstate removals can cost anywhere from $2,600 to $5,850.
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  • Complex moves or those requiring additional services (packing, storage) can push costs up to $10,000 or more.
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  • Sydney to Brisbane express services (48hr) might start from $2,600.
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  • Melbourne to Brisbane moves, due to greater distance, will likely fall on the higher end of the range.
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  • Insight: Professional removalists Brisbane offer convenience and reduce the risk of damage, making them a worthwhile investment for substantial moves, especially when considering the time and effort involved.
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• DIY Moving:

• - Renting a truck: $150-$300 daily plus mileage.
  • - Fuel costs: $200-$400 for an interstate trip.
  • - Moving equipment rental (trolleys, blankets): $50-$150.
  • - Insight: While seemingly cheaper upfront, DIY moves require significant time and effort, and you bear the full risk of potential damage to your belongings.

Conclusion: Making Your Informed Decision for 2025

Choosing where to live in Australia is a big decision, and it truly comes down to your priorities. Sydney offers big city life at a big price, Melbourne balances culture with a still-sizable cost, and Brisbane gives you more bang for your buck, especially with its great transport deals. Think about what matters most to you career opportunities, lifestyle, or simply stretching your dollar further and this guide should help you pick the perfect place to call home in 2025!