Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
| Item | Adelaide | Brisbane | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | A$ 24$16 | A$ 24$16 | similar |
| Street food1 item | A$ 15$10 | A$ 15$10 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | A$ 50$33.3 | A$ 55$36.7 | Adelaide โ9% |
| Coffeeone cup | A$ 5.5$3.67 | A$ 6$4 | Adelaide โ8% |
| Beerone bottle | A$ 12$8 | A$ 12$8 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | A$ 18$12 | A$ 21$14 | Adelaide โ14% |
| Bottled water | A$ 3.5$2.33 | A$ 2.5$1.67 | Brisbane โ29% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | A$ 4.5$3 | A$ 4$2.67 | Brisbane โ11% |
| Taxi5 km in town | A$ 17$11.3 | A$ 18$12 | Adelaide โ6% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | A$ 10$6.67 | A$ 10$6.67 | similar |
| Transitone ride | A$ 4.55$3.03 | A$ 0.5$0.33 | Brisbane โ89% |
| Scooter rentalper day | A$ 35$23.3 | A$ 35$23.3 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | A$ 170$113 | A$ 180$120 | Adelaide โ6% |
| Studio rent (month) | A$ 2,100$1,400 | A$ 2,300$1,533 | Adelaide โ9% |
| Laundry | A$ 11$7.33 | A$ 5.5$3.67 | Brisbane โ50% |
| SIM card1 week data | A$ 30$20 | A$ 17$11.3 | Brisbane โ43% |
| Haircutcut | A$ 30$20 | A$ 40$26.7 | Adelaide โ25% |
| Massage1 hour | A$ 85$56.7 | A$ 85$56.7 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | A$ 110$73.3 | A$ 120$80 | Adelaide โ8% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | A$ 45$30 | A$ 63$42 | Adelaide โ29% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
Adelaide is 6% cheaper than Brisbane. Daily budget $235 vs $248; a month $5,082 vs $5,404.
About the same: Adelaide 1.4/5, Brisbane 1.4/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
With a short-term studio and living costs, Adelaide is about $5,082 and Brisbane about $5,404 per month.
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.