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Sydney vs London

Sydney runs about 12% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 438 USD a month.

North Head National Park in Sydney is a perfect location to view the cliffs and the Pacific Ocean. Sydney Harbour National Park
Sydney
$3,612/month · Australia
Hardlinerr · CC BY-SA 4.0
Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Sydney monthly
$3,612
Index 57 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+12%
London relative to Sydney
Rent gap
$500
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SydneyLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Sydney $2,100, London $2,600. Cheaper in Sydney.
  • Food
    Food: Sydney $836, London $617. Cheaper in London.
  • Transport
    Transport: Sydney $222, London $282. Cheaper in Sydney.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Sydney $156, London $267. Cheaper in Sydney.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Sydney $26, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Sydney $160, London $169. Cheaper in Sydney.
  • Other
    Other: Sydney $112, London $107. Cheaper in London.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricSydneyLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost3,612 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)57✓63
Housing2,100 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities156 USD✓267 USD
Food836 USD617 USD✓
Transport222 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare26 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle160 USD✓169 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,176 USD✓5,953 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.9%✓28.6%
Left over each month2,564 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary4,000 USD✓3,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,900 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre12,000 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety76/100✓66/100
Healthcare86/100✓84/100
Air quality84/100✓60/100
Public transport74/10092/100✓
Walkability74/10090/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife84/10094/100✓
Family friendliness82/100✓72/100
Median broadband90 Mbps90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature18°C12°C✓
Summer high27°C23°C✓
Winter low8°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall1200 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access10 min✓90 min
CurrencyAUDGBP
Time zoneAustralia/SydneyEurope/London

Sydney runs about 12% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 438 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in SydneyCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Sydney vs AucklandSydney vs MelbourneSydney vs Brisbane
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Sydney or London cheaper?

Sydney runs about 12% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 438 USD a month.

What salary do you need in London compared with Sydney?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,176 a month in Sydney and $5,953 in London, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Sydney or London?

Sydney scores 76/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Sydney averages 18°C against 12°C in London.