Sydney, Australia

Cost of Living in Sydney, Australia

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Sydney costs approximately $2,431 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $2,450. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Sydney is a city in Australia, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,431 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2,450 per month, or $1,710 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 164 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Sydney scores 78/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 77°F and winter highs around 66°F, with roughly 344 sunny days a year.

Top for SurfTop for WildlifeTop for RunningTop for Sports EventsTop for Rooftop BarTop for Pub SceneTop for Art SceneTop for Green SpacesTop for Coffee CultureTop for Day TripTop for Boat TourLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendlySafe tap waterMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$2,431≈ $81/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$2,450
Internet164 Mbps
Safety78/100
Avg Temp72°F

Sydney Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$21.28
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$93.78
McDonald's Combo Meal$11.35
Cappuccino$2.01
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$7.09
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$2.39

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$2.01
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.40
Eggs (12)$5.71
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.43
Apples (1 lb)$1.60
Bananas (1 lb)$1.39
Tomatoes (1 lb)$2.39
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.27
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.23
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$14.18
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$35.46

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$3.76
Monthly Transit Pass$154.18
Taxi Start$3.55
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.85
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.35
VW Golf (New)$31,355.67

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$208.28
Mobile Phone Plan$23.74
Broadband Internet$55.69

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$74.03
Cinema Ticket$17.73
Preschool (Monthly)$2,264.93
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$26,452.30

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$80.79
Nike Running Shoes$107.88

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$2,449.50
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,709.84
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$4,891.96
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$2,877.22
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$1,233.99
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$734.50

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$4,163.06
Mortgage Interest Rate6.07%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Sydney

Internet164 Mbps
Safety78/100
Healthcare75/100
Public Transit78/100
Walkability68/100
Nightlife78/100
Food Scene85/100
Fine Dining55/100
Coffee Culture96/100
Air Quality85/100
Green Spaces82/100
Culture82/100
Beaches92/100
Hiking80/100
Surfing80/100
Coworking Spaces95

Sydney FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Sydney?

A single person should budget around $2,431 per month in Sydney, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Sydney?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Sydney averages $2,450 per month, dropping to about $1,710 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $4,892.

Is Sydney safe?

Sydney scores 78/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 85/100.

How fast is the internet in Sydney?

Median download speeds in Sydney are around 164 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 95 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Australia offer a digital nomad visa?

Australia does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.

What is the weather like in Sydney?

Sydney sees summer highs around 77°F and winter highs near 66°F, with about 344 sunny days and 118 rainy days per year.

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