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Cost of Living in Sydney

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia · Population 5,450,496 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Australia average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$2,213 ($1,456)
Couple, monthly$4,057 ($2,669)
Family of four, monthly$5,372 ($3,534)

Estimated Prices in Sydney

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$19.27 ($12.68)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$77.06 ($50.70)per meal
Cappuccino$5.78 ($3.80)each
Monthly groceries (single person)$437 ($287)per month
Monthly public transport pass$70.64 ($46.48)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$186 ($123)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$53.94 ($35.49)per month
Fitness club membership$53.94 ($35.49)per month
Cinema ticket$14.13 ($9.30)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$1,335 ($878)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$928 ($611)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$2,785 ($1,832)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Sydney is $6,718 ($4,420) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $2,213 ($1,456) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $2,877 ($1,893) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($928 ($611)) represents about 42% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Sydney

Sydney vs MelbourneSydney vs BrisbaneSydney vs PerthSydney vs AdelaideSydney vs Gold CoastSydney vs Canberra

Nearby Cities

Flemington

13 km away · New South Wales

Quakers Hill

34 km away · New South Wales

Campbelltown

42 km away · New South Wales

Penrith

49 km away · New South Wales

Richmond

52 km away · New South Wales

Central Coast

63 km away · New South Wales

Wollongong

70 km away · New South Wales

Katoomba

85 km away · New South Wales

Other Major Cities in Australia

Melbourne

Victoria · pop. 5,350,705

$2,175 ($1,431) / mo

Brisbane

Queensland · pop. 2,706,966

$1,914 ($1,259) / mo

Perth

Western Australia · pop. 2,141,834

$1,914 ($1,259) / mo

Adelaide

South Australia · pop. 1,387,290

$1,914 ($1,259) / mo

Gold Coast

Queensland · pop. 607,665

$1,767 ($1,162) / mo

Canberra

Australian Capital Territory · pop. 381,488

$1,767 ($1,162) / mo

Central Coast

New South Wales · pop. 325,255

$1,767 ($1,162) / mo

Wollongong

New South Wales · pop. 261,896

$1,767 ($1,162) / mo

Living in Sydney

Sydney is the capital and one of the key cities in Australia. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $2,213 ($1,456), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $928 ($611) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $5,372 ($3,534) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $4,057 ($2,669) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Sydney is $6,718 ($4,420). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $2,877 ($1,893) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sydney expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $2,213 ($1,456) per month in Sydney including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Australia.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Sydney?
A net salary of around $2,877 ($1,893) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Sydney with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Sydney is $6,718 ($4,420).
How much is rent in Sydney?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $1,335 ($878) per month in the city centre and $928 ($611) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,785 ($1,832).
Is Sydney cheaper than Australia on average?
No — Sydney is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Australia average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Sydney?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $437 ($287) in Sydney. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $19 ($13) and a cappuccino runs around $6 ($4).
How do transport costs in Sydney compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Sydney is estimated at $71 ($46). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Sydney are estimates based on Australia national averages adjusted for city size (population 5,450,496) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.