Cost of living
Melbourne vs Brisbane: cost of living compared
Compare monthly rent, groceries, transport, dining, and utilities in Melbourne and Brisbane using cited SetTern cost bands — planning only.
Using cited SetTern catalog midpoints, Brisbane is about 31% cheaper per month overall. The breakdown below compares rent, groceries, transport, dining, and utilities. These are planning bands, not live listings — confirm with the linked official cost sources.
Brisbane is ~31% cheaper overall
| Monthly | Melbourne | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1br, catalog) | $1,700 | $1,500 |
| Groceries (band mid) | $325 | $315 |
| Transport (band mid) | $130 | $150 |
| Dining out (band mid) | $310 | $275 |
| Utilities (band mid) | $170 | $180 |
| Living cost avg (catalog) | $3,800 | $2,900 |
Side-by-side uses cited SetTern catalog midpoints for each city — not live listings. Individual costs vary by neighbourhood and lifestyle; confirm with the linked sources.