Cost of Living in Sydney
Australia
Monthly budget (single)
$2,831–$4,482/month
A$4,355 – A$6,895 (local currency)
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Sydney?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Cost breakdown
| Category | USD | Local currency |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $2,123–$3,303 | A$3,266 – A$5,082 |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $1,121–$1,769 | A$1,725 – A$2,722 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $88–$171 | A$135 – A$263 |
| Internet & Mobile | $35–$59 | A$54 – A$91 |
| Groceries (monthly) | $448–$672 | A$689 – A$1,034 |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $59–$106 | A$91 – A$163 |
| Coffee | $5–$7 | A$8 – A$11 |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $112–$136 | A$172 – A$209 |
| Gym membership | $41–$77 | A$63 – A$118 |
| Cinema ticket | $17–$21 | A$26 – A$32 |
Budget scenarios
Single
$2,831–$4,482/mo USD
A$4,355 – A$6,895
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,303/mo
- Groceries: ~$672/mo
- Transport: ~$136/mo
Couple
$4,482–$6,841/mo USD
A$6,895 – A$10,525
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,303/mo
- Groceries: ~$672/mo
- Transport: ~$136/mo
Family
$6,487–$10,026/mo USD
A$9,980 – A$15,425
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$3,303/mo
- Groceries: ~$672/mo
- Transport: ~$136/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Sydney Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,654–$4,129/mo (A$4,083 – A$6,352)
Sydney Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,335–$3,633/mo (A$3,592 – A$5,589)
Sydney Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,698–$2,642/mo (A$2,612 – A$4,065)
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • Harbor
- • Beaches
- • Jobs
❌ Cons
- • Housing crisis
- • Distance
Similar cities & cheaper alternatives
Compare Sydney with another city
Related articles
Berlin vs. Munich: Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Munich is more expensive than Berlin, mainly due to high rent. Our 2026 guide breaks down all costs to help you choose the best city for your lifes...
3/19/2026
Toronto vs Vancouver Cost of Living (2026)
Choosing between Toronto and Vancouver? Our 2026 cost of living guide breaks down expenses like rent, groceries, and transport to help you decide.
3/18/2026
Sydney vs Melbourne: Cost of Living 2026
Is Sydney or Melbourne cheaper? This 2026 guide breaks down the cost of living, from rent and groceries to lifestyle expenses in Australia's top ci...
3/17/2026
Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.