How much does it cost to live in Sydney?

Typical monthly costs in Sydney are approximately A$2,800 in rent and A$2,400 in other expenses, totalling around A$5,200/month.

How much should I save in Sydney?

Based on ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2022/23, people at mid-range incomes in Australia typically save 12–20% of gross income. In a very high cost city like Sydney, housing costs can reduce this, particularly for renters.

Sydney · AUD · very high cost city

Cost of living in Sydney — is your salary enough?

Sydney median rent exceeded A$2,800/month in 2023, the highest in Australia by a wide margin. Sydney's housing crisis means even high-income earners can struggle to save above the national benchmark.

Rent in Sydney

BudgetA$2,100 – A$2,500/mo

TypicalA$2,800 – A$3,200/mo

PremiumA$3,600+/mo

Other monthly costs

Food, transport, bills, going out~A$2,400/mo

Total typical monthly spend~A$5,200/mo

How different incomes stack up

At typical Sydney costs (A$2,800 rent)

A$50,000 – A$70,000→ saving -38.7%

Critical

A$70,000 – A$95,000→ saving -9.6%

Critical

A$95,000 – A$130,000→ saving 19.6%

Ahead

See your personal verdict for Sydney

Country

Annual income (gross)A$82,500

A$20,000A$310,000A$600,000+

Monthly rent or mortgageA$2,800/mo

A$0A$4,000A$8,000+

Other monthly expenses

Food, transport, subscriptions, going out — everything except rent

A$2,100/mo

A$0A$4,500A$9,000+

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Cost figures are estimates based on reported median rents and typical spending patterns. Savings benchmarks from ABS Household Expenditure Survey 2022/23. Figures in AUD.

Check your savings rate in Sydney →

Compare nearby cities

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Also in the Verdict suite

SalaryVerdict — Is your Sydney salary competitive?SpendVerdict — Is your Sydney rent too high?