Cost of Living in Melbourne vs Sydney

Cost of living in Melbourne is 7% lower than in Sydney (without rent).

Rent in Melbourne is 19% cheaper than in Sydney.

Cost of living including rent in Melbourne is 14% lower than in Sydney.

Food in Melbourne is 2% cheaper than in Sydney.

Transport in Melbourne is 16% cheaper than in Sydney.

Melbourne vs. Sydney Comparision

Melbourne Sydney
Cost of Living, including rent
2,397 $
2,801 $
Without Rent
1,053 $
1,138 $
Rent & Utilities
1,344 $
1,663 $
Food
557 $
569 $
Transport
345 $
410 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
4,357 $
4,399 $
Quality of Life
100
99
Population
5.0M
4.8M

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Melbourne Sydney

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
15.4 $ 15.3 $
Dinner, for 2 62.1 $ 70.6 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 10.3 $ 10.3 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 8.61 $ 7.41 $
Capuccino 3.66 $ 3.54 $
Coke, 330ml 2.82 $ 2.66 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.47 $ 1.71 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.64 $ 2.86 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.33 $ 2.52 $
Eggs, 12 pack 4.36 $ 4.82 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.3 $ 12.5 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 9.57 $ 8.94 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.4 $ 15 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.43 $ 3.42 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.79 $ 2.92 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.65 $ 3.22 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.37 $ 2.54 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.19 $ 2.32 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.98 $ 0.98 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.61 $ 2.43 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 13.7 $ 14.1 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.74 $ 5.08 $
Cigarette pack 26.8 $ 29.8 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 3.66 $ 3.46 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 126 $ 143 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.36 $ 1.4 $
Taxi, 8 km 21.4 $ 29.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 56.2 $ 67.7 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 6.82 $ 6.92 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.97 $ 5.48 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.51 $ 2.83 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 4 $ 2.9 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
101 $ 114 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
156 $ 177 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
54 $ 53.8 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,146 $ 1,372 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,818 $ 2,523 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,361 $ 1,992 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,752 $ 4,038 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 7,512 $ 16,279 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 5,768 $ 9,905 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 4,357 $ 4,399 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.33 % 6.38 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 52.8 $ 58.7 $
Cinema, 1 seat 15.4 $ 16.9 $
Haircut 23.1 $ 20.8 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 115 $ 117 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 81.3 $ 78.9 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,974 $ 2,054 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 21,306 $ 18,951 $