Introduction
For anyone considering migrating to Australia’s most populous city, the cost of living in Sydney may be an issue. It may be a beautiful city with breathtaking views, but it is also Australia’s and one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in. A Sydney lifestyle is one many have desired, and even if you test it out when single or a student, the experience is guaranteed to establish lifelong memories. There are many reasons to relocate to Sydney besides the fact that it is a popular tourist destination. We have broken down the budget essentials so you can plan ahead of time!
According to a new survey, Sydney is now among the top ten most expensive cities in the world to live in, with living costs surpassing those of New York, USA and London. The Economist Intelligence Unit’s assessment moved Sydney up four spots from last year’s ranking to tenth position. The Worldwide Cost of Living 2018 Report examined 130 locations based on the cost of food, clothing, rent, transportation, energy bills, private school fees, domestic help, and recreational costs, comparing the prices of 160 products and services. Singapore is still the most expensive city in the world to live in, with two other Asian cities in the top ten: Hong Kong (fourth) and Seoul (tenth) (sixth).
The demand for property in Sydney, which is the most expensive thing for the majority of people, is increasing primarily as a result of a) immigration and b) low interest rates on mortgages. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of persons trying to purchase real estate. The average cost of living in Sydney is pricey because to supply and demand. As more people immigrate, there isn’t enough housing to accommodate everyone, thus prices continue to rise. The government had three large land releases in three locations of Sydney about three years ago, all of which have already been developed and sold.
Housing
If you are a single person, you should budget approximately $1,000.00 per month for rent, whereas if you are a couple, your monthly rent expenditures might be approximately $2,600.00.
How much is housing in Sydney Australia?
Except in the eastern suburbs, inner-city rents are much higher than outlying regions. Moving south and west of Sydney’s CBD makes outer suburbs substantially more inexpensive. If you need to work or study in the CBD, consider transportation and accessibility. Unfurnished 2-bedroom apartments in a middle-class suburb can cost up to $600-700/week (older flats can be $30.00-100.00 less).The following is an estimate of what you might anticipate to pay for rent in the inner city:
| Living Arrangement | Average Rent [weekly] |
| Share house | $352.00 |
| Serviced apartment | $370.00 |
| One bed room apartment | $815.00 |
| Student home stay | $320.00 |
Utilities
Heating and electricity are required for a comfortable living environment, and the average monthly cost of electricity in Sydney is approximately $182.48. In the winter, you will also need to pay for your space heater, as central heating is rare in Sydney. This implies your winter electric bill will be higher.
How much is utilities per month Sydney, Australia?
In this day and age, mobile phones and the internet are also considered essential tools for communication. Sydney residents can expect to pay an average of $71.49 per month for an internet subscription (with 60Mbps or more, unlimited data, Cable/ADSL), compared to $0.78 per minute for mobile phone data on a local prepaid call without a plan or discount in the same city. In July, the coolest month of the year, it can get quite chilly at night. We also have an electric blanket for cold evenings. Getting one with a timer was worth every penny. No more frigid winter beds. We both prefer to be warm and bundled up. Then there’s the Sydney summer heat. Using an air conditioner raises your electric bill substantially.
| Utilities | Median cost | Range of monthly cost |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | $176.17 | $120.00 – $309.09 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | $0.78 | 0.20c – $1.00 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $69.97 | $60.00 – $90.00 |
Food and Groceries
Expect the expected monthly prices of food to be between $560.00 and $600.00 per month for a single person, $676.00 and $1000.00 per month for a couple, and up to $1,200.00 per month for a family of three.
Is grocery shopping expensive in Sydney, Australia?
Food is seasonal, resulting in substantial price fluctuations throughout the year. Less specific data in the table below should give you a good notion of cost and allow you to compare to what you’d pay at home. Visit IGA, Aldi, and Harris Farm Market (excellent for produce and also offering online shopping!). Other little markets dot the city, but they are the most vital. When eating at home, you may expect to spend around the same per meal. Breakfast is $2.00 per person. Lunch is $5 and dinner is $11.
| Food and groceries | Median price | Price range |
| Milk (regular), 1 qt (1 liter) | $1.66 | $1.00 – $3.00 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | $2.66 | $1.50 – $5.00 |
| Chicken Fillets 2.2 lbs (1kg) | $11.00 | $8.99 – $15.00 |
| Beef Round 2.2 lbs (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | $18.62 | $10.00 – $26.00 |
| Apples 2.2 lbs (1kg) | $4.87 | $2.99 – $6.00 |
| Oranges 2.2 lbs (1kg) | $3.42 | $2.00 – $6.00 |
| Tomato 2.2 lbs (1kg) | $5.28 | $2.33 – $7.90 |
| Potato 2.2 lbs (1kg) | $3.29 | $2.00 – $4.00 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $2.58 | $1.50 – $3.90 |
| Onion 2.2 lbs (1kg) | $2.76 | $1.50 – $4.00 |
Clothing
The average person spends over $161 per month on apparel – women spend nearly 76 percent more on clothing than men over the course of a calendar year. The average family of four spends approximately $1800 each year on clothing, with shoes accounting for $388 of that total.
Are cloths expensive in Sydney, Australia?
In certain situations, Australians spend up to 35% more for apparel from overseas fast fashion brands like Gap, Zara, and Topshop. While Australians have welcomed the recent arrival of global fashion behemoths, the move has cost the country. A Fairfax Media poll found significant price discrepancies between apparel purchased from Australian stores of labels like Gap, Zara, and Topshop and overseas internet outlets like Amazon.
This is the average cost of a couple of fashion staples in Sydney:
- Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) $104.43
- Summer dress from chain store $65.92
- Shoes Nike x 1 pair $145.38
- Shoes Men’s leather x 1 pair $156.17
Transport
The Opal Card, which may be used to travel on trains, light rail, buses, and ferries, is the primary mode of public transportation. Public transportation on Sunday is paid at a set fee of $2.70, no matter how far you travel or how long it takes.
How much does transport cost in Sydney, Australia?
A one-way ticket on public transportation costs an average of $4.00, while a monthly pass costs an average of $217.39 on a regular basis. Even if you drive a lot, the average cost of petrol is $1.32 per liter; however, if you want to purchase a new car when you get to Sydney, you will be looking at a price of approximately $28990.00. If you are commuting from afar, you must consider public transportation. Sydney has severe traffic and pricey and scarce parking. The time spent stewing in traffic vs. reading on a train.
Train Fares in Sydney, Australia
| Distance | Adult Opal Card Fare | Child/Youth Opal Card Fare |
| 10 – 20 km | $4.48 ($3.13 off-peak) | $2.24 ($1.56 off-peak) |
| 20 – 35 km | $5.15 ($3.60 off-peak) | $2.57 ($1.79 off-peak) |
| 35 – 65 km | $6.89 ($4.82 off-peak) | $3.44 ($2.40 off-peak) |
Bus Fares in Sydney, Australia
| Distance | Adult Opal Card Fare | Child/Youth Opal Card Fare |
| 0-3 km | $3.20 ($2.24 off-peak) | $1.60 ($1.12 off-peak) |
| 3-8 km | $3.73 ($2.61 off-peak) | $1.86 ($1.30 off-peak) |
| 8+ km | $4.80 ($3.36 off-peak) | $2.40 ($1.68 off-peak) |
Taxi Fares in Sydney, Australia
| Situation | Fare |
| Taxi Hire Charge | $3.60 |
| Taxi Distance rate | $2.19 per kilometer |
| Taxi Night distance rate (trips between 10pm – 6am) | $2.63 per kilometer |
| Taxi Waiting time (vehicle speed is less than 26 km/h) | $56.68 per hour (94.4c per minute) |
Outing
If you look at the prices of some of Australia’s hottest gyms, you’ll see that some of us are paying a hefty cent for our fitness. According to Finder, most gym chains are reasonably priced around $21 per week, with joining fees ranging from $0 to $199. The cost of some clubs, like F45, can be up to three times as high. That’s $3380 a year.
- Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult $81.57
- Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) $24.52
- Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat $20.00
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| The weather is great. | It’s the most expensive city in Australia |
| You get the best of both worlds | The traffic is notorious |
| It has large airports | Houses are crazy expensive |
| It has great education opportunities | Cost of education is huge |
| Sydney is a beautiful city | Getting around Sydney is a nightmare |
| Good salary | Difficult to get super rich in Sydney |
| Low unemployment rate | Great competition in job field |
| Government in Sydney cares | Costly health care management |
FAQs
Is it cheap to live in Sydney?
Sydney is a highly pricey city. The average monthly cost of living in Sydney is $2352, which includes rent, food, transportation, personal care, and other expenses. Despite its high cost, Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and many people choose to visit and live there.
How much on average does it cost to live in Sydney?
Finder has discovered that renting in Sydney costs an average of $3,671 per month to live comfortably, whilst living in Hobart costs an average of $2,364 per month, according to the findings of the study.
What is a good salary in Sydney?
In Australia, the average household (family) income is over $100,000 per year. The average income for a single person is around $75,000. On $100,000+ a year, a married couple with children has more than “a reasonably high quality of life.” On $75,000 a year, a single person has more than “a pretty good quality of life.” Australia has the greatest median (middle) income in the world. While things are pricey, an average Australian earner is almost definitely better off than anyone else on the planet.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that the expense of living in Sydney is not at the lower end of the affordability spectrum, there are numerous advantages to living in the state capital of New South Wales. There is a great deal of variety to select from, and even if you cannot afford to live in the seaside suburbs, they are always a short public transportation ride away. In addition to renowned vistas and boat journeys, there are some of the best gastronomic and cultural experiences that Australia has to offer in this vibrant metropolis. You might find it worthwhile to go through with it!
