Moving to Brisbane? What to Know About Migration, Cost of Living, and Suburb Hotspots

Why I’m Seriously Considering Moving from Sydney to Brisbane (and Why You Might Be Too)

A Deep Dive into Migration, Growth, and Opportunity in 2025–2027

If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be considering leaving Sydney, I probably would have laughed. I’m an IT professional, and Sydney has always felt like the heart of Australian tech. But over the last 12–18 months, as property prices have shot through the roof and the city’s “buzz” has started feeling more like a “drain,” I found myself glancing north. It turns out, I’m not alone.

Lately, I’ve been crunching the numbers—habit of the trade!—on what’s really happening with migration into Brisbane. If you’re also wondering whether Queensland’s capital could be your next move, this article is for you. Let’s take a real look at the stats, the trends, and what it might all mean for people like us.

Brisbane’s Population Boom: What’s Actually Happening?

Here’s what you’ll find if you dig through the latest ABS releases and media coverage (yes, I did the legwork so you don’t have to):

• In 2023–24, Greater Brisbane’s population jumped by nearly 73,000 people. That’s about a 2.7% growth rate—which, trust me, is huge by Australian standards.

• That brings the city’s total to roughly 2.78 million people. Not small-town, but still far from Sydney’s relentless sprawl.

Where’s everyone coming from? The answer is interesting:

• Net overseas migration: +44,300

• Net internal (interstate) migration: +15,600

• Natural increase (births minus deaths): +13,100

It’s clear—most of Brisbane’s recent growth is powered by people arriving from overseas, but a decent chunk is folks like me, packing up from other states.

Who’s Moving to Brisbane? (And Why)

The International Story

You might not be surprised to hear that the most common countries of birth for Brisbane’s newcomers are:

• New Zealand

• England

• India

• China

• The Philippines

Why are these groups drawn to Brisbane?

• New Zealanders and Britons have long favored Queensland for its climate, affordability, and relaxed lifestyle. There are strong community networks already established, making the move easier.

• Indian and Chinese migrants increasingly choose Brisbane for its expanding tech and professional sectors, high-quality universities, and family-friendly suburbs. As a result, Brisbane’s local culture is growing more diverse—reflected in the city’s food scene, vibrant festivals, and even its startup landscape.

According to ABS 2021 Census data, Greater Brisbane’s foreign-born population is now more than 30%, with New Zealanders and Britons the largest groups, and Indian and Chinese communities growing fastest.

The Great Sydney Escape: Why Are So Many Moving from Sydney to Brisbane?

Sydney continues to experience a significant outflow of residents. In the year ending June 2023, New South Wales (NSW) recorded a net interstate migration loss of approximately 41,000 people, with a substantial number relocating to Queensland.

This trend persisted into 2024, with NSW experiencing a net loss of over 28,000 residents due to interstate migration. Conversely, Queensland saw a net gain of nearly 26,000 people from other states during the same period.

Brisbane, in particular, has been a primary destination for these interstate movers. In the past year, the city gained over 13,000 new residents through internal migration, many of whom were former Sydneysiders seeking more affordable housing and a better quality of life.

Factors driving this migration include Sydney's high cost of living, housing affordability issues, and traffic congestion. In contrast, Brisbane offers a more relaxed lifestyle, lower property prices, and growing employment opportunities, making it an attractive alternative for many.

Sources:

• Australian Bureau of Statistics – National, State and Territory Population, September 2023abs.gov.au+2abs.gov.au+2abs.gov.au+2

• News.com.au – State Aussies are leaving in drovesnews.com.au

The Big Picture: Australia’s Migration is Slowing (But Brisbane is Still Winning)

On a national level, migration is easing up. Net overseas migration peaked at an eye-watering 536,000 in 2022–23, but it’s already dropped to about 340,800 as of the most recent stats. That’s government policy at work—visa caps, student quotas, you name it. The Albanese government is clear: by 2026–27, the goal is to pull that number down to about 235,000 a year.

Here’s the thing, though: Brisbane is still getting a bigger slice of the pie than almost anywhere else, thanks to affordability, jobs, and lifestyle.

So What’s the Future Hold? (2025–2027 Projections)

Let’s get real for a second. If you’re planning a big move—new job, new house, maybe uprooting your family—you need to know not just what’s happening now, but what’s likely over the next couple of years.

My Take on the Numbers

• Overseas migration to Brisbane: Expect it to ease—from 44,300 in 2024, down to around 30,000 by 2026–27.

• Interstate migration: Should stay steady, in the 15,000–17,000 range. Sydney’s property crunch isn’t going anywhere fast.

• Natural increase: About 13,000 per year—basically steady.

Here’s a quick table I whipped up (yes, I like tables):

Projections are based on federal migration targets, ABS trendlines, and some informed guesstimates.

What’s This Mean for Us? (A Sydney Techie’s Perspective)

The Housing Question

This is the elephant in the room for any Sydneysider. Yes, Brisbane is getting more expensive—but it’s still not Sydney. The median house price is about $850,000, compared to $1.4 million in Sydney. That difference matters, especially if you’re raising kids or hoping to actually enjoy your home, not just survive the mortgage.

Work and Opportunity

The IT job market in Brisbane is heating up. There are more remote roles, but also more local demand: fintech, healthtech, AI, and cloud services are expanding. It’s not just big firms; plenty of nimble startups, too. People relocating from Sydney and Melbourne are part of this—injecting new ideas, connections, and, let’s be honest, raising the bar for everyone.

The Quality of Life Factor

This part is tricky to measure, but it’s something I keep hearing from people who’ve actually made the move—and a few things I’ve noticed myself on visits:

• Commutes can be shorter, but not always. If you’re living and working near the city, you’ll probably save some time compared to Sydney traffic hell. But if you end up in the outer suburbs (where a lot of the affordable housing is), the commute can still be a grind. Public transport is decent in the inner areas, but there’s room for improvement if you’re further out.

• The weather is definitely warmer, but the humidity is real. Some people love the endless summer vibes, others find the sticky, stormy summers hard to handle. Winter, though, is pretty much perfect.

• Brisbane is renowned for its expansive parks, scenic riverside walks, and a lushness you just don’t find in Sydney’s inner suburbs. For anyone considering moving from Sydney to Brisbane, it’s a refreshing change of pace and scenery. While the heart of the city is river-based and true surf beaches require a bit of a drive, you’re never far from the sand—the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast are both close enough for spontaneous day trips or easy weekend escapes.

  But it’s the coastal suburbs like Cleveland that truly deserve special attention, especially for those relocating or considering moving south-east. Not only do you get those wide-open green spaces and a refreshing bayside atmosphere, but you also have the unique advantage of the Cleveland ferry terminal. From here, it’s just a short, scenic ride to North Stradbroke Island—a local paradise where you can unwind on pristine beaches, enjoy family picnics, or simply soak up that laid-back Queensland lifestyle that makes moving from Sydney to Brisbane so appealing.

• Community can feel more welcoming, especially if you’re new. There’s a genuine “new arrivals” energy, probably because so many people are transplants from elsewhere. It doesn’t mean instant best friends, but it does mean most people are open to newcomers, and there’s a lot of mixing between locals and newcomers.

The Risks and Unknowns

Look, I’m not trying to sugar-coat things. Brisbane is booming, but that comes with growing pains:

• Housing supply isn’t keeping up. Rents are rising, and it’s not as easy as it was five years ago to just find a place in West End or New Farm.

• Infrastructure is playing catch-up. Roads are busy, public transport has some gaps, and local councils are scrambling to keep up with demand.

• The IT Job Market in particular and Job Market in general is smaller than Sydney or Melbourne, which means you need to network, and some roles may be more competitive (though remote work softens this).

My Takeaways (And Maybe Yours)

• If you’re burned out by Sydney’s cost of living but still want city energy, Brisbane is worth a serious look.

• Migration is set to slow a bit, but not dramatically—especially not from Sydney. There’s still momentum here.

• For IT professionals, the opportunity is real. You get big-city career prospects with more affordable living and, arguably, better work-life balance.

If you’re on the fence, here’s what I’d recommend:

1. Visit first—ideally for a couple of weeks. Try working remotely from Brisbane, check out local meetups, and talk to people who’ve made the move.

2. Crunch your own numbers. Everyone’s situation is different; model out your mortgage, rent, or school options.

3. Think long-term. Brisbane is investing in infrastructure (2023–2032 Olympic build-out, anyone?), and the tech scene is growing—not just hyped.

Final Thoughts: Why I’m (Probably) Moving

If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that Brisbane’s not just “the next Sydney”—it’s carving out its own future. Migration will stay strong, the IT scene is on the rise, and the lifestyle change is real. I might still miss Sydney’s beaches and the hustle sometimes, but the balance of career, community, and actual living is tipping north. Maybe I’ll see you there.

Got more questions? Curious about specific suburbs, salary bands, tech events, or even the best coffee in Brisbane? Reach out—I’ve probably researched it already!

Sources used include:

• Australian Bureau of Statistics, Regional Population 2024

• Federal Budget 2024–25, Migration Targets

• CoreLogic, Property Price Reports

• News.com.au, ABC News (on interstate migration trends)

• [Latest QLD Government projections & planning statements]

(Note: All numbers checked as of June 2025)