Salary Comparison

Product Designer Salary:
Melbourne vs Brisbane

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Melbourne
$132,901
/ year
+11%
difference
Brisbane
$119,280
/ year
Bottom line: Brisbane offers better purchasing power despite Melbourne paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Melbourne
Brisbane
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$132,901โœ“ higher
$119,280
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$85,946โœ“ higher
$77,138
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$205,508โœ“ higher
$184,445
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$90,373โœ“ higher
$81,110
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$106,321
$106,500โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—
1.12ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$130,638โœ“ higher
$117,250
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$312,372โœ“ higher
$280,356

What if you move from Melbourne to Brisbane?

Gross salary change
$13,621
11% decrease
Take-home change
$9,263
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$179
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Melbourne$132,901
P10: $130,638Median: $132,901P90: $312,372
Brisbane$119,280
P10: $117,250Median: $119,280P90: $280,356

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Product Designer earn more in Melbourne or Brisbane?

The median Product Designer salary in Melbourne is A$202,010/yr compared to A$181,306/yr in Brisbane. Melbourne pays 11% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Product Designer salary worth more in Melbourne or Brisbane after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Melbourne salary has the purchasing power of $106,321/yr in a median-cost city, vs $106,500/yr for Brisbane. Brisbane offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Product Designer in Melbourne vs Brisbane?

After estimated taxes, a Product Designer in Melbourne takes home approximately $90,373/yr, vs $81,110/yr in Brisbane. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.