Brisbane vs Wellington: cost of living for digital nomads
Brisbane, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand, 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
- Wellington is about 6% cheaper than Brisbane for a month of nomad living ($2,550 vs $2,715).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,250 in Wellington against $1,350 in Brisbane.
- Wellington scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Brisbane is tropical; Wellington is temperate.
Brisbane wins 0 of the measured lines; Wellington wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Brisbane or Wellington?
Wellington is cheaper: about $2,550/month against $2,715/month in Brisbane, roughly 6% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Brisbane or Wellington?
Wellington scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Brisbane.
Which has faster internet, Brisbane or Wellington?
Brisbane and Wellington have about the same typical internet speed, 220 Mbps.
| Line | Brisbane | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,715 | $2,550 |
| Rent | $1,350 | $1,250 |
| Food | $590 | $570 |
| Transport | $85 | $70 |
| Coworking | $180 | $170 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 220 | 220 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | coast | 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): Brisbane September 11, 2026, Wellington September 11, 2026.