First of all, it’s important to have in mind the cost of living in Brisbane is not as high as other Australian cities, such as Melbourne or Sydney, however, it does not mean it’s cheap.
Here we will unwrap the cost of living in Brisbane and after reading this post, you will be able to analyze how your cost per week will be in this great city.
Therefore, remember that there are always great ways to save money, and your cost of living will be related to your lifestyle!
Keep reading to learn how to get the most out of this city whilst maintaining your budget.
The average cost of living in Brisbane (per week)
No further delay. The average cost for a single person that wants to move to Brisbane will vary from $400 to $750 per week. But, of course, it’s depending on your living circumstances.
Find below the essential expenses when considering living in Brisbane.
Utilities
These expenses will depend on your accommodation. For example, if you choose to live in catered accommodations like on-site colleges and homestays, your only expense will be your phone and data plan.
Find below some costs of the essential utilities nowadays.
Home internet
If you are looking for home internet in Brisbane, you can expect to pay between 60 and 80 dollars a month, approximately 15/20 dollars per week.
Electricity
The cost of the electricity bill in Brisbane is around $140- $150 a month. However, it can vary depending on the number of people per household.
Gas
Most homes in Australia are powered by gas for hot water, cooking, and home heating. By saying that, if you use all three, your gas bill will be around $90 a month.
Water and sewage
The landlord usually handles the water and sewage costs. However, you are responsible for paying the metered water if it’s individually to your property.
This cost is not expensive, and it will be approximately $0.79 per thousand liters, up to 74,000L a quarter.
Food
An average person will spend something between $90/$135 a week. However, if you live in a facility that provides all or some of your meals, this cost will decrease, and you will only pay for additional food.
For an estimated price, a Big Mac combo at Mac Donalds is around $12, and you can also find cheap meals in Brisbane for $20.
Accommodation
This is where you will probably spend the most part of your money.
Therefore, accommodation in Brisbane is not cheap, and it’s something that you need to have in mind before moving to the city.
Keep in mind that the rental costs will differ according to where in Brisbane you choose to live and the accommodation style.
So check out below an estimate about the accommodation costs in Brisbane:
Inner-city
Find below the costs for an accommodation in Brisbane city:
- $565 per week for a room in a shared house;
- $359 per week for a serviced apartment;
- $620 per week for a one-bedroom unit all to yourself.
As we said above, it’s not something cheap.
Suburbs
Now that you already know the costs to live inner-city, what about the suburbs?
- One-bedroom unit cost approximately $330 per week;
- A share house outside the city goes for around $205 per week depending on the number of bedrooms available.
Transportation
The cost of transportation is something that you have in mind in case you’ve chosen to live off-campus.
By saying that, you can opt for Brisbane’s public transport, which includes buses, ferries, and trains, or buy your own car. However, if you decide to use your own vehicle, its cost can be up to $150 a week, making it more comfortable but less affordable.
TransLink could be also an excellent option for those who want to save money and spend less on transportation – your cost would be between $20-$40 a week.
Tip: If you decide to use it, be sure to make use of tertiary student discounts.
Shopping
If you love doing shopping, Brisbane has you covered. In addition, Queensland has amazing malls, boutique stores, and high-end brand shopping.
Do you want to replace your favorite jeans? It may cost you $90! And about a new pair of running shoes? These may cost you $100-$200 depending on the chosen brand.
Also, read our article: Where to stay in Sunshine Coast?
Eating out
If you love eating out, you’ll have to calculate how this expense will impact your living in Brisbane.
Usually, breakfast at a cafe in the city will cost $15. For lunch, you will likely spend around $16 and approximately $25 a meal for dinner.
It’s important to remember that in Australia, waiters and servers get paid a liveable minimum wage.
But what does it mean? This means that your meal may cost a little bit more than you expect, but it also means the staff is being paid fairly for their time.
Therefore, unlike some other places, Australia doesn’t have a tipping culture. Places may ask if you would like to tip, but it’s not necessary.
Conclusion
Brisbane is know for its exquisite beauty and it can offer you a fantastic lifestyle.
If you are looking for a place to live and study, Brisbane can be for you. So either you are moving after retirement or moving for the higher studies of your children, make a wise move with this guide about the cost of living in Brisbane, Australia.
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