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The Big Contract Issue
FEB - MAR 2026
Sydney living prices compared to others
We pitch Sydney up against some of the world’s most famous cities to see just how our cost of living compares.
In this Article:
Sydney goes head to head with cities across the globe
There are some huge differences
If you thought Sydney was expensive, don’t move to NYC!
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| SYDNEY vs. | London | Paris |
| Consumer prices (without rent) | ↓ 1.7% | ↓ 7% |
| Consumer prices (with rent) | ↑ 7.2% | ↓ 14.3% |
| Rent prices | ↑ 21.2% | ↓ 25.9% |
| Restaurant prices | ↑ 16.9% | ↓ 8.7% |
| Grocery prices | ↓ 23.3% | ↓ 0.3% |
| For every $10k in Sydney you’d need | ↑ $10,600 | ↓ $8,500 |
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| SYDNEY vs. | New York | Milan |
| Consumer prices (without rent) | ↑ 19.9% | ↓ 11.1% |
| Consumer prices (with rent) | ↑ 42.4% | ↓ 18% |
| Rent prices | ↑ 78.2% | ↓ 28.9% |
| Restaurant prices | ↑ 30.8% | ↑ 2.8% |
| Grocery prices | ↑ 30.1% | ↓ 16.4% |
| For every $10k in Sydney you’d need | ↑ $14,000 | ↓ $8,000 |
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| SYDNEY vs. | Barcelona | |
| Consumer prices (without rent) | ↓ 29.6% | |
| Consumer prices (with rent) | ↓ 35.9% | |
| Rent prices | ↓ 46.1% | |
| Restaurant prices | ↓ 21.1% | |
| Grocery prices | ↓ 40.5% | |
| For every $10k in Sydney you’d need | ↓ $6,500 |
Sydney vs. London
Consumer prices in London are 1.7% lower than in Sydney (without rent)
Consumer prices including rent in London are 7.2% higher than in Sydney
Rent prices in London are 21.2% higher than in Sydney
Restaurant prices in London are 16.9% higher than in Sydney
Grocery prices in London are 23.3% lower than in Sydney
Local purchasing power in London is 6.4% lower than in Sydney
Result: You’d need approx $10,600 to maintain the same standard of living in London that you currently would have with $10,000 in Sydney.
Sydney vs. Paris
Consumer prices in Paris are 7.0% lower than in Sydney (without rent)
Consumer prices including rent in Paris are 14.3% lower than in Sydney
Rent prices in Paris are 25.9% lower than in Sydney
Restaurant prices in Paris are 8.7% lower than in Sydney
Grocery prices in Paris are 0.3% lower than in Sydney
Local purchasing power in Paris is 16.1% lower than in Sydney
Result: You’d need approx $8500 to maintain the same standard of living in Paris that you currently would have with $10,000 in Sydney.
Sydney vs. New York City
Consumer prices in New York City are 19.9% higher than in Sydney (without rent)
Consumer prices including rent in New York City are 42.4% higher than in Sydney
Rent prices in New York City are 78.2% higher than in Sydney
Restaurant prices in New York City are 30.8% higher than in Sydney
Grocery prices in New York City are 30.1% higher than in Sydney
Local purchasing power in New York City is 11.4% higher than in Sydney
Result: You’d need approx $14,000 to maintain the same standard of living in New York City that you currently would have with $10,000 in Sydney.
Sydney vs. Milan
Consumer prices in Milan are 11.1% lower than in Sydney (without rent)
Consumer prices including rent in Milan are 18.0% lower than in Sydney
Rent prices in Milan are 28.9% lower than in Sydney
Restaurant prices in Milan are 2.8% higher than in Sydney
Grocery prices in Milan are 16.4% lower than in Sydney
Local purchasing power in Milan is 43.2% lower than in Sydney
Result: You’d need approx $8,000 to maintain the same standard of living in Milan that you currently would have with $10,000 in Sydney.
Sydney vs. Barcelona
Consumer prices in Barcelona are 29.6% lower than in Sydney (without rent)
Consumer prices including rent in Barcelona are 35.9% lower than in Sydney
Rent prices in Barcelona are 46.1% lower than in Sydney
Restaurant prices in Barcelona are 21.1% lower than in Sydney
Grocery prices in Barcelona are 40.5% lower than in Sydney
Local purchasing power in Barcelona is 22.9% lower than in Sydney
Result: You’d need approx $6,500 to maintain the same standard of living in Milan that you currently would have with $10,000 in Sydney.
Source: Numbeo.com
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