Brisbane vs Palm Beach: cost of living for digital nomads
Brisbane, Australia and Palm Beach, Aruba, 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
- Palm Beach is about 8% cheaper than Brisbane for a month of nomad living ($2,495 vs $2,715).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,300 in Palm Beach against $1,350 in Brisbane.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Brisbane: 220 Mbps typical against 150 Mbps.
- Brisbane is tropical; Palm Beach is arid.
Brisbane wins 2 of the measured lines; Palm Beach wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Brisbane or Palm Beach?
Palm Beach is cheaper: about $2,495/month against $2,715/month in Brisbane, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Brisbane or Palm Beach?
Brisbane and Palm Beach score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Brisbane or Palm Beach?
Brisbane has faster typical internet: 220 Mbps against 150 Mbps in Palm Beach.
| Line | Brisbane | Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,715 | $2,495 |
| Rent | $1,350 | $1,300 |
| Food | $590 | $580 |
| Transport | $85 | $60 |
| Coworking | $180 | $125 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 220 | 150 |
| Climate | tropical | arid |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | coast | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
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): Brisbane September 11, 2026, Palm Beach September 11, 2026.