Cost of life in Brisbane, Australia

We moved to Brisbane from the UK in late 2012. We were surprised by the beautiful endless sunshine, warm mild winter in August, amazing birds and a wonderful city, including lots of parks and play-areas for our 4-year-old...but we kind of knew about them before we came.

What we were astonished by, however, was the cost of life. Compared to anywhere else in the world we've been, this seemed (and still does) like one of the most expensive places we've been to. (Including Europe and the US).

That's why I decided to include some examples of everyday prices, so that you could be warned if you are visiting or moving:

In a restaurant (middle class, nothing fancy):
Appetiser/salad is about $10-15
Main course - $20-40
a Beer - $7-10
Bottle of wine varies, but you can get some good deals for $20-40

In a super-market:
A loaf of bread - regular - $4
Organic bread - $8
Milk (1liter) - $2.30
Cheese - smallest and cheapest - $4 for 200grams (7oz)
Mid-quality - $8 for the same amount
Nicer - $12 for the same amount
Salmon - not frozen - $25/kilo (30oz)
Shrimp - cooked, heads + shells on $16/kilo
Tasteless white fish for frying - $14 per kilo
Nice fish like Barramundi or Perch - $18/kilo
Very nice fish - up to $50/kilo
Tomatoes - $4-8/kilo
Bananas - $2.50/kilo
Apples - $3-4/kilo

Alcohol:
Beer - super low end - $40 for 24bottles of 375ml/12oz each
Better - $15 for a sixpack
Corona/Heineken, etc: $20 for a sixpack
Red wine - good enough $10 per bottle (actually a good price)
Red wine - better - $18 and on
Sparkling - good enough $6 per bottle (super cheap and not bad at all)
Vodka bottle (750ml) low range - $40

Rent - 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom and 1 car garage - near downtown - $2000 minimum/mo
Further in the suburbs - $1500ish/mo

Gas - $1.55/liter
Bus/ferry ticket - $4 one way

Nursery - $80/day
Movie ticket - $15ish

Clothes - more expensive then anywhere. Don't expect Primark, Ross or Marshall prices. No discount stores here. Any running shoes minimum $50.

Therefore, plan your trip carefully. Locals of course don't mind the prices, because the economy is quite steady and salaries are good. So if you have a job lined up, you should be safe.