Why Move to Brisbane?
A diverse and multicultural community, Brisbane in home to 80,000 British expats. With a much lower cost of living than other major Australian cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane is an ideal location for families, young professionals, students and nature lovers.
Best Places to Live in Brisbane
The inner suburb of Paddington boasts beautiful scenery from its quaint streets as well as its close proximity to the city. For more of a multicultural, lively hub, the West End might be for you. Ashgrove is an ideal location for young families due to its many top performing schools. To find out more, read our Moving to Australia guide.
Cost of Living in Brisbane
In 2024, the cost of living in Brisbane is 31% lower than in the UK (London). It’s also more affordable to live in Brisbane than in Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart, but more expensive than Perth. The price of groceries are almost 10% higher in Brisbane than the UK, but everything else remains more affordable.
Below we compare the cost of living in Brisbane with the UK by looking at London prices.
Cost of Living Comparison: Brisbane vs. London
| Item |
Brisbane |
UK (London) |
| Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in city centre |
$2,482.38 (£1,289.57)
|
£2,170.83
|
| Price per m2 to buy apartment in city centre |
$12,286.92 (£6,382.92)
|
£13,403.96 |
| Monthly salary after tax |
$6,016.09 (£3,125.29)
|
£3,732 |
| 3 course meal for 2 people, mid-range restaurant |
$120 (£62.34)
|
£80 |
| 1 litre of milk |
$2.19 (£1.14)
|
£1.33 |
| 1kg chicken fillets |
$12.63 (£6.56)
|
£7.41 |
| Monthly travel pass |
$193 (£100.26)
|
£200 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for 85m2 apartment |
$280.17 (£145.55)
|
£281.33 |
| Monthly gym membership |
$78.48 (£40.77)
|
£45.33 |
| Monthly private preschool |
$2,390.74 (£1,241.06)
|
£1,815.85 |
Data taken from Numbeo.
Property Prices & Rent in Brisbane
Property prices have grown in recent years in Brisbane, making it more expensive than Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Hobart for buying and renting. However, it remains cheaper to buy and rent in Brisbane than Sydney. In 2024, property prices cost 50% less in Brisbane than in the UK (London).
Below is a comparison of rental and buying prices in Toronto compared to London.
Property Prices & Rent in Brisbane vs. London
| Item |
Brisbane |
UK (London) |
| Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in city centre |
$2,482.38 (£1,289)
|
£2,170.83 |
| Monthly rent for 1-bedroom apartment outside of centre |
$2,090.16 (£1,085.82)
|
£1,630.26
|
| Price per m2 to buy apartment in city centre |
$12,286.92 (£6,382.92)
|
£13,403.96
|
| Price per m2 to buy apartment outside of city centre |
$8,551.17 (£4,442.24)
|
£7,956.99
|
Data taken from Numbeo.
Education in Brisbane
Compulsory school age for children in Brisbane starts at 6 and ends at 16. There is further education available and children must either work, train or continue education until they are 17. Highly regarded state schools in Brisbane include; The Gap State High School and Brisbane State High School. There are also private, independent and specialist schools as well as a range of notable universities.
Job Market in Brisbane
Like many other Australian cities, the healthcare sector is the largest in Brisbane. Queensland Health is a top employer, offering roles from support staff to nurses. Business, manufacturing, hospitality and tourism form the bulk of Brisbane’s job market. There is a better work-life balance in Brisbane compared to the UK, which attracts many British expats to the capital of Queensland.
