Cost of Living in Sydney, Australia
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 225 sunny days a year.
Sydney Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Sydney
How Sydney Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Sydney ranks in the top 8% for public transit, but costs more than 80% of them.
| Metric | Sydney | World rank | Rank in Oceania |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,431 | #274 of 340 | #10 of 12 |
| Safety | 78/100 | #69 of 340 | #11 of 12 |
| Healthcare | 75/100 | #123 of 340 | #6 of 12 |
| Internet speed | 164 Mbps | #170 of 340 | #4 of 12 |
| Walkability | 68/100 | #110 of 340 | #3 of 12 |
| Public transit | 78/100 | #26 of 340 | #1 of 12 |
| Food scene | 85/100 | #64 of 340 | #1 of 12 |
| Air quality | 85/100 | #114 of 340 | #10 of 12 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Sydney
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Sydney.
- Adelaide, Australia — $1,849/mo, 24% cheaper, safety 82/100 · Compare with Sydney
- Perth, Australia — $2,020/mo, 17% cheaper, safety 82/100 · Compare with Sydney
- Brisbane, Australia — $2,000/mo, 18% cheaper, safety 80/100
- Valencia, Spain — $1,849/mo, 24% cheaper, safety 78/100
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 225 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 94 days.
Sydney in our travel guides
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