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Sydney vs Vancouver

Sydney and Vancouver cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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
Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic
Vancouver
$3,541/month · Canada
GoToVan from Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0
Sydney monthly
$3,612
Index 57 (NYC = 100)
Vancouver monthly
$3,541
Index 55 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-2%
Vancouver relative to Sydney
Rent gap
$0
Vancouver costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SydneyVancouver
  • Housing
    Housing: Sydney $2,100, Vancouver $2,100. Cheaper in Sydney.
  • Food
    Food: Sydney $836, Vancouver $774. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Transport
    Transport: Sydney $222, Vancouver $162. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Sydney $156, Vancouver $221. Cheaper in Sydney.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Sydney $26, Vancouver $9.20. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Sydney $160, Vancouver $168. Cheaper in Sydney.
  • Other
    Other: Sydney $112, Vancouver $107. Cheaper in Vancouver.
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

MetricSydneyVancouver
Cost
Total monthly cost3,612 USD3,541 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5755✓
Housing2,100 USD2,100 USD
Utilities156 USD✓221 USD
Food836 USD774 USD✓
Transport222 USD162 USD✓
Healthcare26 USD9 USD✓
Lifestyle160 USD✓168 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,176 USD✓6,088 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.9%✓26.9%
Left over each month2,564 USD✓2,547 USD
Average local net salary4,000 USD✓3,300 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD2,100 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,900 USD3,700 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre12,000 USD10,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety76/100✓74/100
Healthcare86/100✓84/100
Air quality84/10084/100
Public transport74/100✓70/100
Walkability74/10076/100✓
English proficiency100/100✓96/100
Nightlife84/100✓72/100
Family friendliness82/10082/100
Median broadband90 Mbps210 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature18°C11°C✓
Summer high27°C23°C✓
Winter low8°C✓1°C
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h✓1,930 h
Annual rainfall1200 mm1190 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access10 min✓15 min
CurrencyAUDCAD
Time zoneAustralia/SydneyAmerica/Vancouver

Sydney and Vancouver cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Go deeper

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

Frequently asked

Is Sydney or Vancouver cheaper?

Sydney and Vancouver cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Vancouver compared with Sydney?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,176 a month in Sydney and $6,088 in Vancouver, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Sydney or Vancouver?

Sydney scores 76/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Vancouver scores 74 and 84. Sydney averages 18°C against 11°C in Vancouver.