Austin vs Brisbane: cost of living for digital nomads
Austin, United States and Brisbane, Australia, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Brisbane is about 8% cheaper than Austin for a month of nomad living ($2,715 vs $2,950).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,350 in Brisbane against $1,500 in Austin.
- Brisbane scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Austin: 250 Mbps typical against 220 Mbps.
- Austin is temperate; Brisbane is tropical.
Austin wins 1 of the measured lines; Brisbane wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Austin or Brisbane?
Brisbane is cheaper: about $2,715/month against $2,950/month in Austin, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Austin or Brisbane?
Brisbane scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Austin.
Which has faster internet, Austin or Brisbane?
Austin has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 220 Mbps in Brisbane.
| Line | Austin | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,950 | $2,715 |
| Rent | $1,500 | $1,350 |
| Food | $620 | $590 |
| Transport | $90 | $85 |
| Coworking | $200 | $180 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 220 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Austin September 11, 2026, Brisbane September 11, 2026.