Introduction
In July 2021, Sister D first brought you a detailed comparison of Brisbane and Sydney, covering climate, population, and cost-effectiveness. Now, as 2023 approaches, we face a constantly changing Australia, especially amidst inflation, which is also changing the face of cities and lifestyles. Therefore, this time, we've expanded our focus to include Australia's three largest cities, including Melbourne, to provide a more comprehensive comparative perspective.
Climate comparison
- BrisbaneKnown for its mild winters and hot summers, Brisbane's summer temperatures average around 30 degrees Celsius, but can reach as high as 35 degrees Celsius. Winters are relatively mild, with average temperatures ranging from 11 to 21 degrees Celsius. This climate is ideal for those who prefer a warm climate with mild winters.
- SydneyCompared to Brisbane, Sydney's summers are slightly cooler, with an average temperature of around 26 degrees Celsius. Winters are even cooler, with average temperatures ranging from 9 to 17 degrees Celsius. This climate is more suitable for residents who prefer a mild climate and can adapt to colder winters.
- MelbourneMelbourne has the coolest climate of the three cities, with an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius in the summer and dropping to 14 degrees Celsius in the winter. Additionally, the mountainous areas near Melbourne occasionally experience snowfall, providing a unique option for residents who prefer cool or cold climates.
Population changes
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the population of all three cities has grown over the past four years.
Brisbane, from about 2.3 million in 2019 to 2.5 million in 2023;
Sydney's population increased from 4.8 million to 5.1 million;
Melbourne's population rose from 4.8 million to 5.2 million.
The data not only reflects the attractiveness of these cities, but also shows Australia's continued popularity as a destination for immigrants.In recent years, more and more Hong Kong people have chosen to immigrate to Australia, making Cantonese increasingly popular on the streets. Data from the Australian Immigration Department shows that from 2011 to June 2021, the Hong Kong-born Australian population increased from 85,990 to 104,990, an increase of 22.11% year-on-year.
Living Index Analysis
Inflation has a direct impact on residents' cost of living. According to Budget Direct's cost of living survey, we can see that Australia's major cities have different cost indices for housing, water, electricity, gas, transportation, food and household goods, dining out, alcohol, clothing and entertainment.
For example, the cost of a McDonald's meal in the three major cities is
Brisbane 14 Australian dollars,
Sydney 12 Australian dollars and
Melbourne 13 Australian dollars,
The national average is A$12.5.
If you want to prepare a tomato beef rice (ingredients include 1 kg rice, 1 kg tomatoes and 1 kg beef),
In Brisbane, the cost is $27.09.
In Sydney, it's A$27.64.
In Melbourne, the lowest price is AUD 25.39 (winner!),
The national average is A$26.53.
According to data compiled by the Budget Direct website, Brisbane is the third most expensive city, Sydney is the most expensive, and Melbourne is fifth.
Job Market Overview
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, by May 2023, there will be 77,100 job vacancies in Queensland, 128,100 in New South Wales, and 105,100 in Victoria. The healthcare sector has the highest number of vacancies, at approximately 73,000, providing ample employment opportunities for healthcare professionals. This means that healthcare professionals in Hong Kong, such as nurses and doctors, will have more options and opportunities when seeking work in Australia.
Economic growth trends
According to the latest Commonwealth Bank report, Western Australia led the economic growth rankings among Australian states with a growth rate of 44.11 TP3T, followed by Queensland with a growth rate of 36.31 TP3T, surpassing New South Wales (31.31 TP3T) and Victoria (27.71 TP3T). This growth trend may be closely related to Brisbane's successful bid to host the 2023 Olympic Games.
School
Educational institution evaluation
For parents concerned about their children's education, choosing a school in Australia is a key consideration. Using data from Better Education, we've compiled a breakdown of the top schools in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria. Among the top 100 primary and secondary schools, New South Wales and Victoria hold a significant number of spots, making them a good choice for those seeking a high-quality education.
| Top 100 Primary (combined public & private) | Top 100 Primary-Private | Top 100 Primary-Public | Top 100 Secondary (combined public & private) | Top 100 Secondary-Private | Top 100 Secondary-Public | |
| https://bettereducation.com.au/school/Primary/national/au_top_primary_schools.aspx | sort by “non-government” | sort by “government” | https://bettereducation.com.au/school/secondary/national/au_top_secondary_schools.aspx | |||
| NSW | 50 | 49 | 47 | 53 | 42 | 52 |
| VIC | 35 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 35 | 27 |
| QLD | 5 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 8 |
| SA | 5 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| WA | 5 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 |
| TAS | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| ACT | ||||||
If your children are top academic achievers, you can choose New South Wales or Victoria. Of course, Queensland also has many excellent public and private schools. I will compile information and introduce them to you next time.
As for universities, each Australian university has its own famous and unique subjects, such as:
| Member of Australia's Group of Eight | 2024 QSWorld University Rankings | Famous subjects | |
| 1 | The Australian National University (ANU) | 34 | Geography, Automation & Control, Earth Sciences, Telecommunication Engineering |
| 2 | The University of Melbourne (UniMelb) | 14 | Medicine |
| 3 | The University of Sydney (USYD) | 19 | Psychology, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Business and Economics and Physical Sciences. |
| 4 | The University of New South Wales (UNSW) | 19 | Mineral & Mining Engineering |
| 5 | The University of Queensland (UQ) | 43 | Sports-related subjects Mineral and Mining Engineering Agriculture and Forestry Petroleum Engineering |
| 6 | Monash University | 42 | Pharmacy and Pharmacology; Engineering – Chemical; Materials Science; |
| 7 | The University of Western Australia (UWA) | 72 | Anatomy and Physiology. Earth and Marine Sciences. Geology. |
| 8 | The University of Adelaide | 89 | Classics and Ancient History. Philosophy. Civil and Structural Engineering. |
houses
| live | Brisbane | Sydney | Melbourne |
| 2018/12 | |||
| House | $566,058.00 | $1,062,619 | $833,321 |
| Unit | $369,882.00 | $702,012 | $479,306 |
| 2023/6 | |||
| House | $806,781.00 | $1,538,017 | $1,027,996 |
| Unit | $512,262.00 | $773,752 | $553,110 |
| https://www.domain.com.au/research/house-price-report/june-2023/ |
According to Domain.com data, property prices in the three major cities are expected to rise from 2018 to 2023. For example, in Brisbane, the median house price is expected to rise from approximately A$560,000 in 2018 to approximately A$800,000 in 2023, while the median unit price is expected to rise from approximately A$370,000 to approximately A$510,000. This reflects the buoyant Australian real estate market and highlights the potential value of investment properties.
Entertainment facilities
The park areas in the three major cities are significantly different.
I originally thought Sydney, a busy metropolitan city, would have the least green parks of the three cities, but it turns out it has 6,000 hectares, 12 times more than Melbourne!
In terms of entertainment and leisure, the three cities have their own characteristics.
Brisbane is famous for its man-made beach, Southbank Beach.
The Gold Coast has many amusement parks and air parks.
Sydney is famous for its entertainment venues such as Luna Park.
Melbourne has a large number of parks, providing citizens with a wealth of leisure options. https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/kids/the-best-playgrounds-in-melbourne
Traffic conditions
In terms of transportation, each city has its own unique characteristics. Brisbane plans to launch Metro electric vehicles to improve transportation in the city center and surrounding areas. According to data from 2022-2023, passenger traffic in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne will be approximately 145 million, 502 million, and 352 million, respectively, reflecting the transportation needs and development potential of each city.
In the future, Brisbane will have Metro electric vehicles joining the transportation system. At a cost of A$144 billion, it will connect the city center and surrounding areas. In response to the demand for charging, Australia's largest car charging station was built in Rochedale.
Future Development
Brisbane:
Cross River Rail ($5.4 billion)
The Gabba Redevelopment – Value $2.7 billion
Brisbane Live ($2.5 billion)
The New Queensland Cancer Center – Value $750 million
Queens Wharf 3.6 billion
Sydney:
WESTCONNEX = $16.8 Billion
PARRAMATTA LIGHT RAIL/$2.875 Billion
CENTRAL PLACE SYDNEY/$3 Billion
SYDNEY METRO $12 Billion
Mel:
Melbourne Square $2.8bn
Sth Bnk by Beulah $2 billion
Jam Factory $1.5 billion
555 Collins Street $1.5 billion
19 Yarra Street $500 million
Conclusion
This comprehensive comparison of Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne reveals that each city possesses its own unique charm and potential. Whether it's climate, population, cost-effectiveness, job market, or future development, each city offers distinct characteristics, providing a wealth of options for residents and immigrants. This information will be a valuable reference for those considering relocating to or investing in Australia.
Please leave us a comment to share your thoughts on these three cities. If you have any other questions about life in Australia or other regions you'd like to learn more about, please leave us a comment. Our Australian Property Searching Team (ANP) will continue to research and share more information.
See you next time!


