Cost of Living in Sydney: What You'll Actually Pay in 2025

Sydney is consistently ranked among the world's most expensive cities to live in, and the data supports the reputation: median house prices above $1.4 million, median rents for a two-bedroom apartment above $700 per week in the inner suburbs, and a cost structure across food, childcare, and services that reflects the wages premium the city commands. But Sydney's costs vary enormously depending on suburb choice, lifestyle choices, and household structure.

Housing — rent is the dominant cost variable. A one-bedroom apartment in the inner suburbs (within 10km of CBD) ranges from $500 to $750 per week depending on building age and quality. A two-bedroom apartment in the same area runs $650 to $950 per week. The outer suburbs and Western Sydney bring rents down to $400-$550 for a two-bedroom, but commute costs and time must be factored against the saving. Buying: the median Sydney house price is approximately $1.4 million across the metropolitan area; the median unit price is around $800,000. First home buyers typically target the outer rings or satellite cities like Newcastle, Wollongong, or the Central Coast.

Groceries and food — weekly groceries for a couple at Woolworths or Coles run $120-$180 depending on dietary preferences and brand choices. Coffee from a café is $5-$6 per cup. Lunch in the CBD averages $15-$20. A mid-range restaurant dinner for two with drinks is $100-$160. Eating well in Sydney is genuinely expensive by global standards for a city at this income level.

Transport — the Opal card single-trip fare is capped, with the weekly cap of $50 (Opal Weekly Cap) limiting public transport costs significantly for full-time commuters. A car adds approximately $400-$600 per month in petrol, insurance, registration, and parking (CBD parking is $40-$70 per day).

Childcare — after the Child Care Subsidy (CCS), Sydney families pay $80-$160 per day per child at long day care, depending on income. Full-time childcare for one child can still represent $400-$800 per month out-of-pocket after subsidy for middle-income households.

Overall picture — a couple without children renting in the middle ring and using public transport can live comfortably in Sydney on a combined income of $120,000-$140,000. A family with children in private schooling and a mortgage requires significantly more.

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.