Cost of living in Sydney

🇦🇺 Australia · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.

Wondering how far your salary goes in Sydney? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, inner suburbsAUD 2,900–3,900 / month
Opal weekly travel cap≈AUD 50 / week (all modes)
Groceries, one personAUD 500–750 / month
Flat whiteAUD 5.00–6.50
Overseas visitors health cover (single)AUD 90–190 / month

Good to know

Population
≈5.5 million (Greater Sydney)
Languages
English; over 250 languages spoken at home
Currency
Australian dollar (AUD)
Time zone
AEST (GMT+10); AEDT (GMT+11) in daylight saving
Power plug
Type I, 230 V / 50 Hz
Climate
Temperate — warm humid summers, mild winters, no snow
Driving side
Left
Work week
Mon–Fri, 38 ordinary hours; 4 weeks annual leave by law

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Sydney checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.

Plan your move to Sydney

A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.