Cost of Living in Sydney, Australia

How expensive is it to live in Sydney?

15% Cheaper

than New York City (Index: 85)

$4,200
Single Person / Month
$9,500
Family of 4 / Month

Cost Index Breakdown

Compared to New York City (100 = NYC baseline)

85
Overall
90
Rent
80
Groceries
85
Restaurants
75
Transport
70
Utilities

Sample Prices in Sydney

ItemPrice (USD)
1BR Apartment (City Center)$2,200/mo
1BR Apartment (Outside Center)$1,500/mo
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$18
Cappuccino$4
Monthly Transit Pass$170

Last updated: Jan 2026

Related Tools

USD to AUD
Exchange rate
Time in Sydney
Current local time

AEO Answers

Sydney Cost of Living Answers

Direct answers for monthly budget, cost index, and how Sydney compares with a New York City baseline.

finance

How expensive is Sydney, Australia?

Sydney has a cost of living index of 85 against a New York City baseline of 100. Based on this model, it is 15% cheaper than New York, with an estimated single-person monthly budget around $4,200.

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finance

What monthly budget should one person expect in Sydney?

A rough single-person monthly budget for Sydney is about $4,200 in this model. Actual spending can vary significantly based on rent, neighborhood, exchange rates, lifestyle, and household size.

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Other Cities in Oceania

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💡 Cost of living data is estimated based on public sources. Actual costs may vary based on lifestyle and exchange rates.

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