dulingo

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

7 minute read
10 shares
Cost-of-Living-in-Sydney-A-Guide-on-Expected-Expenses.

Sydney is a beautiful city and is the capital of New South Wales. It is one of the largest cities in AustraliaSydney 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.

cta

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.

CategoryApprox. cost for a Person 
Rent AUD 2400
UtilitiesAUD 330
Meal, Inexpensive RestaurantAUD 24
GroceryAUD 190
Transport (Monthly Pass)AUD 225
Monthly salary after taxAUD 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 ItemApprox. Cost
Milk (regular), (1 litre)AUD 2.33
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)AUD 4.34
Rice (white), (1kg)AUD 3.41
Eggs (regular) (12)AUD 6.07
Apples (1kg)AUD 4.96
Banana (1kg)AUD 4.2
Oranges (1kg)AUD 5.0
Tomato (1kg)AUD 6.52
Potato (1kg)AUD 3.85
Onion (1kg)AUD 3.59
Water (1.5 litre bottle)AUD 2.66
Cheese, Meat, Egg, Drinks and Other itemsAUD 138
Source:numbeo

Cots of Housing In Sydney

The typical monthly rent in Sydney for a one-bedroom flat is about AUD 3,400, 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 LocationApprox. Monthly Rent
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City CentreAUD 3,406
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of CentreAUD 2,378
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City CentreAUD 6,687
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of CentreAUD 3,930
Source:numbeo

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 ItemsApprox. Cost
1 pair of jeansAUD 119
1 summer dress in a high street storeAUD 104
1 pair of sport shoesAUD 174
1 pair of men’s leather business shoesAUD 210
Source:numbeo

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 225.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)AUD 8.00
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)AUD 4.50
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)AUD 90.00
Gasoline (1 liter)AUD 2.05
Source:numbeo

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 EntertainmentApprox. Cost
2 tickets to the moviesAUD 42
2 tickets to the theatreAUD 215
1 cocktail drink in downtown clubAUD 19
1 cocktail drink in the downtown clubAUD 8
1 month of gym membershipAUD 86
1 package of Marlboro cigarettesAUD 36
Source:numbeo

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 
UndergraduateAUD 45,000 – AUD49,500
Post Graduate AUD 45,000 – AUD 47,500
Post Graduate Research AUD 45,500
Source:numbeo

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 WiseAverage Cost of livingComparison with Cost of Living in Sydney
Cost of Living in MelbourneAUD 1,593Lower than Sydney
Cost of Living in AdelaideAUD 1,895Higher than Sydney
Cost of Living in LondonAUD 2110Higher than Sydney
Cost of Living in New YorkAUD 2502Higher than Sydney
Cost of Living in SingaporeAUD 1682Lower than Sydney
Cost of Living in TorontoAUD 1689Higher than Sydney
Cost of Living in AucklandAUD 1619Lower than Sydney
Cost of Living in BrisbaneAUD 1672Lower than Sydney
Cost of Living in PerthAUD 1,735Approximate equal to Sydney
Source:numbeo

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.

Relevant Reads:

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

FAQs on Cost of Living in Sydney

Q.1. What is the cost of living in Sydney?

Ans. The monthly average cost of living in Sydney including rent, is AUD 4,600, but living expenses in Sydney can vary according to the location and standard of lifestyle you select.

Q2. What salary do you need to live in Sydney?

Ans. The average salary you need to live in Sydney is around AUD 4,600 per month. For this amount, you can enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Sydney because this amount is equal to the average cost of living in Sydney.

Q3. What is the average rent in Sydney?

Ans. The average rent in Sydney’s city area is AUD 3,406 for a one-bedroom apartment, and the average cost for a one-bedroom apartment outside of the centre in Sydney is AUD 2,378.


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.

Leave a Reply

Required fields are marked *

*

*