Brisbane has quietly claimed the unenviable title of Australia’s most expensive city for parking, overtaking both Sydney and Melbourne despite efforts to steer commuters towards public transport with ultra-cheap fares.

New research from property group Ray White reveals the average casual day rate in Brisbane CBD is now $80.84, the highest in the country, even after dropping slightly over the past year.

By comparison, average rates in Sydney fell 8.7 per cent to $77.67, while Melbourne sits at $67.49.

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“It’s now the most expensive place in Australia to park,” said Ray White head of research Vanessa Rader.

“I thought there would’ve been a greater take-up of public transport usage, particularly if it’s only going to cost you a dollar a day.”

Cost vs convenience

Despite the introduction of 50 cent public transport fares by the Queensland Government, habits haven’t shifted.

Carparks remain packed, and prices continue to bite.

Commuters aren’t hiding their frustration.

“If you’re coming every day, that’s 400 bucks in a week,” one frustrated commuter told 7NEWS.

“That’s ridiculous. That’s a lot,” said another.

“I think you’d be silly to pay for parking anywhere in Brisbane at that price,” added a third.

High demand, limited space

According to Ray White, a key reason for rising prices is limited supply, with reduced parking allocations in new developments and high demand for the few standalone facilities still on the market.

While early bird and online discounts can shave off up to 50 per cent, the base cost remains steep.

Discounting is strongest in Melbourne, followed by Brisbane and Sydney.

Although rates dropped slightly in Brisbane over the past year (down 3.4 per cent), the city’s overall prices remain at the top of the national scale, the data shows.

The report also notes while some parking operators are adapting with flexible pricing and app-based incentives, rising office attendance and CBD activity are continuing to drive demand — and prices — upwards.

Pressure on budgets

The soaring cost of parking is adding to household budget pressures, particularly for those who work in the CBD but have limited access to reliable public transport or park-and-ride options.

Brisbane City Council says it is keeping prices reasonable at its own carparks, including some free short-stay options.

It says the goal is to strike a balance between public and private parking while keeping it accessible for drivers.

For those willing to plan ahead, some private operators do offer online discounts or early-bird deals — slashing prices by up to 50 per cent.

Still, Brisbane remains at the top of the price ladder.

And the pressure isn’t likely to ease any time soon.

“More people coming to work and more activity in our CBDs will result in greater demand — and, in turn, greater price,” Rader said.