Cost of Living in Sydney: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

Sydney is a beautiful city and is the capital of New South Wales. It is one of the largest cities in Australia. Sydney has high living expenses. The average monthly cost of living in Sydney without rent is around 1800 AUD, while rent in Sydney ranges from AUD 2400 to AUD 3400 per month. The living expenses in Sydney can vary according to a person’s living standards and preferences.

Sydney is within the top 3% of the most expensive cities in the world and there is a high cost of living in Sydney. If you’re ready to make some sacrifices, there are ways to save money. You may, for instance, share housing, prepare more meals at home, and partake in city activities that are either free or inexpensive. Conducting research and creating a budget for the cost of living in Sydney is crucial before moving here. You can ensure that you can afford to live comfortably in the city using this. Below, we have given a brief of various costs in a table.

Category	Approx. cost for a Person
Rent	AUD 2400
Utilities	AUD 330
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	AUD 24
Grocery	AUD 190
Transport (Monthly Pass)	AUD 225
Monthly salary after tax	AUD 5,896

Also Read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide on Helsinki’s Expense

Cost of Living in Sydney: Overview 

Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the world, and the cost of living in Sydney is around AUD 4600, yet the cost of living in Sydney can vary based on your needs and way of living. The following is a breakdown of some of the costs you might anticipate encountering in Sydney:

Cost of Groceries in Sydney

The grocery costs in Sydney are likewise higher. For one person, you can expect approximately 190 AUD per month. The Grocery cost is also included in the cost of living in Sydney. Below is the list of a few grocery items with their prices available in Sydney:

Grocery Item	Approx. Cost
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	AUD 2.63
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	AUD 4.19
Rice (white), (1kg)	AUD 3.51
Eggs (regular) (12)	AUD 6.97
Apples (1kg)	AUD 4.85
Banana (1kg)	AUD 4.27
Oranges (1kg)	AUD 4.92
Tomato (1kg)	AUD 6.54
Potato (1kg)	AUD 3.80
Onion (1kg)	AUD 3.55
Water (1.5 litre bottle)	AUD 2.05
Cheese, Meat, Egg, Drinks and Other items	AUD 138

Cots of Housing In Sydney

The typical monthly rent in Sydney for a one-bedroom flat is about AUD 3,314.83, which is not included in the cost of living in Sydney. You can locate apartments for a little bit less if you’re willing to live outside of the city centre. The costs of apartment rent in Sydney are as follows:

Apartment Location	Approx. Monthly Rent
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	AUD 3,314.83
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	AUD 2,246.18
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	AUD 6,246.42
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	AUD 3,875.58

Cost of Clothes In Sydney

Basic apparel products like pants and t-shirts often cost affordable, but designer or premium brands might cost more and can affect the cost of living in Sydney. The average costs of clothes in Sydney are as follows:

Clothing Items	Approx. Cost
1 pair of jeans	AUD 114.06
1 summer dress in a high street store	AUD 85.08
1 pair of sport shoes	AUD 167.50
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes	AUD 195.53

Transportation Costs in Sydney

Depending on how you get around, transport expenses in Sydney can vary accordingly. If you drive, you need a budget of about AUD 1,000 per month for petrol, insurance, and car payments. If you commute by public transport, a monthly pass will cost you about AUD 225. Here, we have given various modes of transportation with their fare costs:

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	AUD 5.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	AUD 217.39
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	AUD 7.50
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)	AUD 5.00
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)	AUD 80.00
Gasoline (1 liter)	AUD 2.05

Cost of Entertainment in Sydney

Depending on your interests, the costs of entertainment in Sydney can also change. You should budget about AUD 500 each month if you enjoy going out to pubs and restaurants. You can cut costs on entertainment by staying in and cooking because it is not included in the cost of living in Sydney. Here, we have given various costs of entertainment in Sydney:

Type of Entertainment	Approx. Cost
2 tickets to the movies	AUD 42
2 tickets to the theatre	AUD 215
1 cocktail drink in downtown club	AUD 19
1 cocktail drink in the downtown club	AUD 8
1 month of gym membership	AUD 86
1 package of Marlboro cigarettes	AUD 36

Cost of Studying in Sydney

The average tuition fees for undergraduate students in Sydney range from AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000. The annual cost of tuition for postgraduate studies can range from AUD 22,000 to AUD 50,000. The cost of Studying in Sydney for international students can vary according to the university selection. Moreover, it can affect your cost of living in Sydney.

Course Level	Average Cost
Undergraduate	AUD 45,000 – AUD52,000
Post Graduate	AUD 45,000 – AUD 52,500
Post Graduate Research	AUD 45,500-AUD 47,500

The Cost of Living in Sydney Compared to Other Cities

Looking at the cost of living in Sydney compared to other cities reveals some differences. Sydney is one of the more expensive places to live, with high housing costs being a significant factor. Sydney offers a more affordable lifestyle without compromising too much in terms of convenience and quality.

So to give you an idea of ​​how the cost of living in Sydney compares to other cities like Melbourne, Adelaide, London, Singapore, New York, Toronto, Auckland, Brisbane and Perth. In other countries, we’ve given the cost of living (not including rent). Please have a look:

Cost of Living City/Country Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Sydney
Cost of Living in Melbourne	AUD 1,593	Lower than Sydney
Cost of Living in Adelaide	AUD 1,895	Higher than Sydney
Cost of Living in London	AUD 2110	Higher than Sydney
Cost of Living in New York	AUD 2502	Higher than Sydney
Cost of Living in Singapore	AUD 1682	Lower than Sydney
Cost of Living in Toronto	AUD 1689	Higher than Sydney
Cost of Living in Auckland	AUD 1619	Lower than Sydney
Cost of Living in Brisbane	AUD 1672	Lower than Sydney
Cost of Living in Perth	AUD 1,735	Approximate equal to Sydney

Why Study in Sydney?

There are several reasons to study in Sydney along with the affordable cost of living in Sydney, such as the prime location, top universities, facilities and many more. A few of the following reasons are mentioned below:

• Education: Apart from the affordable cost of living in Sydney, it is renowned for having some of the best universities in the world. These universities are leaders in research, education, student life, and graduate employment.
• Location: Sydney is a thriving, multicultural metropolis that provides a high standard of living and several chances for both personal and professional growth. You will join a varied and welcoming community of learners at the University of Sydney, where you will also have access to top-notch facilities and resources.
• Facilities: Sydney is home to some of the best restaurants, bars, and cafes in the world, amazing weather, and well-known sites like the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It also has a thriving art and culture scene, which makes the cost of living in Sydney leisure at a low budget.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide on Georgia’s Expense

Tips to Save Money While Living in Sydney

Before finalising the cost of living in Sydney, a student should consider a few other essential things while moving for higher education in Sydney. For your reference, we have included some crucial tips you should consider before moving to Sydney. Moreover, these tips can help you live comfortably and affordably in Sydney:

• Live in a shared apartment: Renting a shared flat in Sydney is an excellent method to save money and make the cost of living in Sydney affordable. Shared apartments are available across the city, from the outskirts to the downtown.

• Cook at home: Sydney may be an expensive city in which to dine out. However, saving money by cooking at home is quite effective and will reduce extra expenses in the cost of living in Sydney. This city can offer a wide variety of inexpensive grocery stores as well as several free or inexpensive cooking classes.

• Take advantage of free activities: Sydney offers a variety of free and inexpensive activities. You can explore the many parks and gardens, go on walks or treks, or participate in one of the city’s many free activities. These activities are free, so they will not increase your cost of living in Sydney.

Compare the Cost of Living in Sydney vs Melbourne

The cost of living in Sydney vs Melbourne is provided below. 

Expenses	Sydney	Melbourne	Key Difference
Cost of living – overall	Higher	Lower	The cost of living in Sydney is  12.4% more expensive than Melbourne
Restaurant Expenses	Slightly Higher	Slightly Lower	The restaurant prices in Sydney are 1% higher than in Melbourne
Rent Expenses	Higher	Lower	The rent prices in Sydney are  40.7% higher than in Melbourne.
Local Purchasing Power	Lower	Higher	The purchasing power in Sydney is 12.6% lower than in Melbourne
Grocery Expense	Higher	Lower	The grocery prices in Sydney are 4.9 % higher than in Melbourne.

As per the table above Sydney seems to be more expensive to live in than Melbourne.

Relevant Reads:

Cost of Living in Arizona: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Wales: A Comprehensive Guide on Wales’s Expense
Cost of Living in Rotterdam: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Perth: A Comprehensive Guide
Cost of Living in Brussels: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Scotland: A Guide on Expected Expenses

FAQs on Cost of Living in Sydney

So, this was all about the cost of living in Sydney. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.