Before you make the big move to Sydney, it’s worth understanding how much it really costs to live there. Sydney is the top place to be if you’re looking for strong job opportunities, excellent education, and unbeatable food and beaches. But it’s also Australia’s most expensive city to live in. This guide will break down what to expect, from housing costs to weekly grocery prices, and how much salary you need to live comfortably.
Average House Prices Sydney for 2026
“How much does it cost to buy a house in Sydney,” you ask? The list below shows the median house prices across Sydney Regions and how much those prices have changed since last year.
Sydney House Prices by Region
| Region of Sydney | Median House Price September 2025 | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| South West | $1,297,500 | 18.00% |
| Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury | $2,000,000 | 13.10% |
| Parramatta | $1,525,000 | 13.00% |
| Blacktown | $1,206,000 | 11.20% |
| Outer West and Blue Mountains | $1,055,000 | 10.50% |
| Inner West | $2,682,000 | 9.50% |
| Central Coast | $1,000,000 | 9.30% |
| Inner South West | $1,685,000 | 8.70% |
| Outer South West | $1,025,300 | 8.30% |
| City and Inner South | $2,100,000 | 7.10% |
| Sutherland | $1,805,000 | 6.20% |
| Northern Beaches | $2,802,500 | 5.80% |
| Ryde | $2,550,000 | 5.30% |
| North Sydney and Hornsby | $3,072,500 | 2.80% |
| Eastern Suburbs | $3,700,000 | 1.00% |
| Source: Domain House Price Report, 2025 | ||
As of 2025, Sydney is the second most expensive city in the world for housing, just behind Hong Kong. The median house price in Sydney is around $1.75 million, and is expected to reach over $1.88 million in 2026 because of strong demand and low supply.
Sydney’s unit prices have also jumped 2.5%, with the average Sydney apartments now around $880,000.
Sydney Rental Prices in 2026
If buying a house feels out of reach right now, the Sydney rental market has lots of options (but is also highly competitive). As of late 2025, the rent in Sydney is:
- Houses: $1,112 per week on average
- 3-bedroom houses: $1,054 per week
- Units: $720 per week on average
- 2-bedroom units: $746 per week
Of course, prices will vary depending on where you’re looking to rent. Areas like the Eastern Suburbs, North Sydney, and the Inner West are some of the most expensive because of their proximity to Sydney CBD or the beaches.
Average bills per month
Apart from housing, there are also bills and utilities to consider in your budget. For a typical 2–3 person household, here are the price ranges you can expect for utilities and communication:
- Electricity: AUD $150–250/month. Ausgrid charges 36.7c/kWh while Endeavour Energy charges 37.c/kWh (Canstar). The cheapest possible plan with Energy Australia is $1,612 a year, and with Origin Energy $1,651 a year.
- Gas: $72.50/month or $870/year (Wattever)
- Water: $115/month (IPART)
- Internet (NBN Unlimited): $84/month
- Mobile phone plan: $20–40/month per mobile user
In total, utilities and communications for a typical household should cost you around $400–560 a month.
Removalist
If you're planning to move to or within Sydney, hiring professional Sydney removalists will make the process faster, easier and safer. Experienced interstate and local removalists navigate Sydney’s busy roads to deliver your belongings safely to your new home.
The cost of removalists in Sydney depends on how much you’re moving and where you’re moving to. On average, local removalists can cost $180–$270 per hour. If you want extra services like packing and wrapping, you might spend an extra $160 per hour.
Average transport cost
Sydney is a big place, so day-to-day travel costs are one of the biggest contributors to the cost of living. On average, Sydney households are spending $557 a week, or $23,102 a year on transport (AAA). That includes everything from fuel and tolls to insurance and public transport.
Public Transport Costs
Public transport costs are easy thanks to the Opal card network that caps daily and weekly fares:
- Daily cap (Mon–Thurs): $19.30
- Friday/Sat/Sun/public holidays: $9.65
- Weekly cap: ~$50
So the max you’ll spend a month is $200. Most single trips cost $3.03–$7.46, depending on distance and whether you travel off-peak.
Driving and Road Tolls
The average price of regular unleaded fuel in Sydney is 192.5 cents per litre (Nov 2025).
One thing about Sydney, is it loves its road tolls. They make driving across Sydney easier, but come at a price. Tolls range from $3–$30 for a single trip, but weekly toll spending is capped at $60.
Sample tolls:
- Eastern Distributor: $10.16
- Harbour Bridge/Tunnel: $3.30–$4.41
- NorthConnex: $10.05
- Lane Cove Tunnel: $4.13
Grocery
Households in New South Wales spend on average $180 per week on groceries or $720 per month. Most of these expenses come from dairy/eggs, bread, and pantry items.
Dining out in Sydney is a bit more expensive than many other cities, so budget accordingly.
Non-Essential Spending
The Sydney lifestyle is exceptional, but it comes at a premium. Here are the typical ranges for the most popular lifestyle costs:
- Gym memberships: $70–100/month (varies widely)
- Healthcare (if not bulk billed): $80–100+ for GP visits.
- Subscriptions, entertainment, going out: Highly variable but generally more expensive than other Australian cities.
How Much Salary Do You Need to Live in Sydney in 2026?
Here’s a rough estimate of the monthly spend for a single person living in Sydney:
| Expense | Estimated Monthly Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Rent (1 bed, inner city) | $2,500–3,500 |
| Utilities | $400–500 |
| Transport | $200–300+ |
| Groceries | $400–600 |
| Lifestyle | $200–500 |
| Prices are an estimate only and are subject to change. | |
Estimated monthly total: $3,700–5,400
To live comfortably (without being stretched every month), a gross annual salary of $100,000–140,000 is reasonable, of course, depending on your location and lifestyle.
Moving to Sydney
The Sydney cost of living is undeniably high, but it offers unmatched career opportunities and a unique lifestyle. If you're relocating, buying property, or just want to plan for the next few years, use this guide as a starting point and adjust the numbers to suit your situation.
When you’re ready to move to Sydney, Holloway Removals & Storage can help you get there. With over a decade of experience, we specialise in stress-free moves across Sydney and interstate.
FAQs About the Cost of Living in Sydney (2026)
1. Is Sydney an expensive city to live in?
Yes. Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city, with high housing, rental, transport, and lifestyle costs. In 2026, rent and property prices continue to rise because of strong demand and limited supply.
2. What salary do you need to live comfortably in Sydney?
A single person typically needs $100,000–$140,000 a year to live comfortably, depending on location, transport habits, and lifestyle. Couples can manage on less per person if they share living costs.
3. Why is Sydney’s cost of living so high?
Sydney’s high population density, limited property supply, strong job market, and growing demand for inner-city living all contribute to the high housing and living costs.
4. Is it cheaper to live in Melbourne or Sydney?
Melbourne is generally cheaper than Sydney in terms of rent, property prices, dining out, and lifestyle expenses.
5. Are grocery prices going up in Sydney?
Yes. Grocery prices have increased across NSW because of inflation, supply chain pressures, and rising production costs. A typical household spends around $180 per week on groceries.
6. Will Sydney rent prices drop in 2026?
Most forecasts expect Sydney rents to stay high in 2026 and even increase slightly. Demand will still outweigh supply, especially in central and coastal suburbs.
7. Is public transport cheaper than driving in Sydney?
Yes. Public transport is usually cheaper because fares are capped daily and weekly on the Opal network. Driving can become costly because of high prices for fuel, tolls and parking.
