Brisbane vs Funchal: cost of living for digital nomads
Brisbane, Australia and Funchal, Portugal, 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
- Funchal is about 37% cheaper than Brisbane for a month of nomad living ($1,700 vs $2,715).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $850 in Funchal against $1,350 in Brisbane.
- Funchal scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Brisbane: 220 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Brisbane is tropical; Funchal is mediterranean.
Brisbane wins 1 of the measured lines; Funchal wins 7.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Brisbane or Funchal?
Funchal is cheaper: about $1,700/month against $2,715/month in Brisbane, roughly 37% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Brisbane or Funchal?
Funchal scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Brisbane.
Which has faster internet, Brisbane or Funchal?
Brisbane has faster typical internet: 220 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Funchal.
| Line | Brisbane | Funchal |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,715 | $1,700 |
| Rent | $1,350 | $850 |
| Food | $590 | $430 |
| Transport | $85 | $40 |
| Coworking | $180 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 220 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | coast | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Funchal
Madeira's capital and home of the original Digital Nomad Village — safe, scenic, EU-based.
Compare Funchal with
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): Brisbane September 11, 2026, Funchal November 9, 2026.