Cost of living comparison
Sydney is 7.5% more expensive than California.
- Restaurants
-
pay 12.3% less in Sydney
- Groceries
-
pay 12.1% less in Sydney
- Transportation
-
pay 46.6% more in Sydney
- Housing
-
pay 18.0% less in Sydney
- Childcare
-
pay 11.8% less in Sydney
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 32.2% more in Sydney
- Clothing
-
pay 27.9% more in Sydney
The cost of transportation, entertainment and sports, and clothing in Sydney are more expensive than in California. Expenses including housing, restaurants, groceries, and childcare are lower in Sydney.
If you lived in Sydney instead of California, you would:
pay 12.3% less for restaurants
|
California
|
Sydney
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$21.02
|
$16.48
A$26.50
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.52
|
$9.89
A$15.90
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.71
|
$2.49
A$4.01
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.16
|
$2.04
A$3.29
|
|
pay 12.1% less for groceries
|
California
|
Sydney
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.14
|
$2.80
A$4.50
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.95
|
$5.66
A$9.10
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.61
|
$6.60
A$10.62
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.33
|
$4.35
A$6.99
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.70
|
$3.91
A$6.29
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.34
|
$1.47
A$2.37
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.92
|
$1.29
A$2.07
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.91
|
$1.38
A$2.21
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.38
|
$1.94
A$3.12
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.39
|
$1.10
A$1.77
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.44
|
$1.02
A$1.65
|
|
pay 46.6% more for transportation
|
California
|
Sydney
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.83
|
$4.95
A$7.96
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$62.05
|
$143.27
A$230.44
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$30,005.28
|
$29,276.08
A$47,090.37
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$20.07
|
$31.14
A$50.09
|
|
pay 18.0% less for housing
|
California
|
Sydney
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.54
|
$52.22
A$84.00
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$2,371.29
|
$2,177.38
A$3,502.30
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$2,055.18
|
$1,459.01
A$2,346.81
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$171.68
|
$152.64
A$245.52
|
|
pay 11.8% less for childcare
|
California
|
Sydney
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,682.51
|
$1,995.92
A$3,210.42
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$30,905.75
|
$17,906.19
A$28,801.99
|
|
pay 32.2% more for entertainment and sports
|
California
|
Sydney
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$7.00
|
$6.59
A$10.60
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.34
|
$3.47
A$5.58
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$10.91
|
$32.95
A$53.00
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$66.35
|
$59.52
A$95.74
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.41
|
$15.82
A$25.44
|
|
pay 27.9% more for clothing
|
California
|
Sydney
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$52.77
|
$74.12
A$119.23
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.15
|
$53.36
A$85.83
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.15
|
$108.20
A$174.04
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$117.31
|
$130.17
A$209.38
|
|
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