List of Expenses for Estimating Cost of Living in Sydney
This post covers daily and monthly expenses in Sydney like groceries, utilities, public transport. I also include things like shopping, dining out, and going to the movies at the bottom of the post.
I have a second post that lists rents in Sydney by suburb and the number of bedrooms. I highly recommend checking out that post as your rent will be your top monthly expense in Sydney.
Average Monthly Cost of Utilities in Sydney
After you have secured your first rental in Sydney, you are going to need to keep the lights on. You will also need to pay for your space heater during the winter months because central heating is rare in Sydney.
This means your electric bill will be more during the winter. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t have at least two space heaters, one for the living room and one for the bedroom. No, it doesn’t get that cold in Sydney but after living in Sydney during a hot summer, you will be surprised at how chilly it can get at night in July, the coldest month of the year. (Remember seasons are switched around in the Southern Hemisphere.)
We even own an electric blanket for those chilly nights. It was worth every penny getting one that has a timer. No more getting into a cold bed during the winter months. We both sleep better being bundled up, nice a warm. I absolutely love it and wish I didn't wait a year to get one.
Then there is battling the summer heat in Sydney. Running an air conditioner will dramatically increase your electric bill.
Utilities, Mobile and Internet
| Utilities (Monthly) | Median Cost | Range of Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage (915 sq ft Apartment) | $342.17 | $200 – $520 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | $41.89 | $20 – $65 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $84.79 | $65 – $118 |
Did you notice the range in monthly cost for electricity, heating and cooling?
As I mentioned before, there will be months when it’s more and months when it’s less. Running the air conditioning during the summer months can be more than heating in the winter. Consider using a timer for your air conditioner and heater to help keep costs down.
Groceries, Alcohol and Cigarettes in Sydney
Some groceries are seasonal, so the prices will range quite a bit for the whole year. The table below is very general, but it should give you a basic idea of prices and allow you to compare with what you pay back home.
Of course, where you shop will also have an effect on what you pay. The two major grocery stores in Sydney are Coles and Woolworths (aka Woolies). There's also IGA (Independent Grocers of Australia), Aldi, and Harris Farm Market (great for produce and now has online shopping, yay!). There are other independent markets spread throughout the city, but those are the main ones.
| Groceries Item | Median Prices | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (regular) 1 gallon | $9.25 | $5.68 – $15.14 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | $3.74 | $2.27 – $6.35 |
| Rice (white) (1 lb) | $1.76 | $0.68 – $2.95 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | $6.03 | $3.60 – $10 |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | $8.47 | $3.63 – $20.41 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | $6.05 | $4.54 – $8.16 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | $10.26 | $6.80 – $17.69 |
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.30 | $1.59 – $3.04 |
| Banana (1 lb) | $1.83 | $1.36 – $2.95 |
| Oranges (1 lb) | $1.93 | $0.91 – $2.95 |
| Tomato (1 lb) | $3.06 | $1.58 – $4.76 |
| Potato (1 lb) | $1.77 | $0.91 – $2.72 |
| Onion (1 lb) | $1.65 | $0.91 – $2.27 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $3.74 | $2 – $6 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | $2.68 | $1 – $5 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $20 | $12 – $30 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | $7.76 | $4 – $12 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | $7.61 | $4 – $12.50 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | $42 | $35 – $51 |
Sydney Public Transport Fares
Public transport in Sydney is pretty good in my opinion but I’m from Seattle where the train is limited and I don’t like taking the bus, pretty much the only option for public transport in Seattle. It’s not really taking the bus that bothers me. It’s more the waiting and the limited number of seats available. The train is faster and has more seating.
When you arrive in Sydney, you will hear many Sydneysiders and expats who have moved from cities with good public transport complain about the public transport in Sydney. But in my opinion, the train is a great way to get around the city quickly. It runs so often that I never feel like I have to wait for long, but I live very close to Bondi Junction Station, and I do not commute during peak hours to get to work.
Public transport is definitely something you need to think about if you are commuting from a distance. Traffic in Sydney is pretty bad, and parking in the city is expensive and limited. There is also the time sitting in traffic stewing vs. sitting on a train reading. I personally prefer the latter.
If you go out for an evening and miss the ferry and bus, a taxi will cost you about $50-65 from the city center to Manly.
It can be hard to get a taxi to Manly late at night because taxis are usually unable to pick up a fare going the opposite direction. Therefore they don't want to be stuck in Manly. Be sure to keep that in mind especially around Christmas and New Year’s Eve when it's almost impossible to catch a taxi.
The same goes for Parramatta and Cronulla too.
Train Fares
| Distance | Adult Opal Card Fare | Child/Youth Opal Card Fare |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 10 km | $3.61 ($2.52 off-peak) | $1.80 ($1.26 off-peak) |
| 10 – 20 km | $4.48 ($3.13 off-peak) | $2.24 ($1.56 off-peak) |
| 20 – 35 km | $5.15 ($3.60 off-peak) | $2.57 ($1.79 off-peak) |
| 35 – 65 km | $6.89 ($4.82 off-peak) | $3.44 ($2.40 off-peak) |
| 65+ km | $8.86 ($6.20 off-peak) | $4.43 ($3.10 off-peak) |
Bus Fares
| Distance | Adult Opal Card Fare | Child/Youth Opal Card Fare |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 3 km | $3.20 ($2.24 off-peak) | $1.60 ($1.12 off-peak) |
| 3 – 8 km | $3.73 ($2.61 off-peak) | $1.86 ($1.30 off-peak) |
| 8+ km | $4.80 ($3.36 off-peak) | $2.40 ($1.68 off-peak) |
Ferry Fares
| Ferry Fares to Circular Quay | Adult Opal Card Fare | Child/Youth Opal Card Fare |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 9 km | $6.12 | $3.06 |
| 9+ km | $7.65 | $3.82 |
Light Rail Fares
| Distance | Adult Opal Card Fare | Child/Youth Opal Card Fare |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 3 km | $3.20 ($2.24 off-peak) | $1.60 ($1.12 off-peak) |
| 3 – 8 km | $3.73 ($2.61 off-peak) | $1.86 ($1.30 off-peak) |
| 8+ km | $4.80 ($3.36 off-peak) | $2.40 ($1.68 off-peak) |
Taxi Fares
| Charge | Fare |
|---|---|
| Taxi Hire Charge | $3.60 |
| Taxi Peak Time Hire Charge (in addition to the hire charge, 10pm – 6am on Friday's, Saturday's, and evening prior to Public Holidays) | $2.50 |
| Taxi Distance Rate | $2.19 per kilometer |
| Taxi Night Distance Rate (trips between 10pm – 6am) | $2.63 per kilometer |
| Taxi Waiting Time (vehicle speed is less than 26 km/h) | $56.68 per hour (94.4c per minute) |
Gasoline and Purchasing a Car
| Median Cost | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1.46 | $1.10 – $1.60 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | $30,000.00 | $25,790.00 – $34,171.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | $26,957.04 | $24,000.00 – $30,000.00 |
Restaurants and Dining Out in Sydney
The top, more expensive restaurants are not included in the table below. But just to give you an idea, Tetsuya is one of the best restaurants in Sydney and can cost as much as $250 per person.
Again, these prices are very general but will give you an idea of how much things cost.
| Median Cost | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant for One | $18.00 | $12.00 – $38.00 |
| Meal at a Mid-range Restaurant with Three Courses for Two People | $100.00 | $75.00 – $150.00 |
| Combo Meal at McDonalds for One | $12.00 | $10.00 – $15.00 |
| Domestic Beer 1 pint (0.5 liter) | $8.00 | $5.00 – $10.00 |
| Imported Beer 11 ozs (0.33 liter bottle) | $8.50 | $6.00 – $11.00 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | $4.08 | $3.00 – $5.10 |
| Coke/Pepsi 11 ozs (0.33 liter bottle) | $3.09 | $2.00 – $4.50 |
| Water 11 ozs (0.33 liter bottle) | $2.65 | $2.00 – $4.00 |
Clothes, Personal Care and Electronics Costs
The first time I went shopping for jeans in Sydney, not only was I in shock from the prices but also in tears.
Tears because sizes in Australia are not the same as in the US.
I am usually a size 8 in the US but a 10-12 in Australia when it comes to jeans.
Every expat from the US I have ever met has had the same experience shopping for clothes in Australia.
Before you move to Sydney, go shopping at home for jeans and shoes. You will save yourself money in the long run.
Clothes, Personal Care and Electronics
| Median Cost | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | $105.56 | $70.00 – $150.00 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | $66.40 | $30.00 – $100.00 |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $141.71 | $100.00 – $200.00 |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | $149.42 | $70.00 – $200.00 |
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8.99 | $5.99 – $13.99 |
| 1 box of 20 tampons (Tampax, OB, …) | $7.50 | $4.99 – $10.99 |
| Deodorant | $6.29 | $4.20 – $11.50 |
| Shampoo | $7.99 | $3.00 – $16.99 |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.70 | $3.15 – $5.00 |
| Tube of toothpaste | $3.49 | $2.79 – $9.99 |
| 40” flat screen TV | $664.00 | $499.00 – $999.00 |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | $195.00 | $132.00 – $479.00 |
Ok, that is it. We covered pretty much all your daily and monthly expenses in Sydney except for health insurance and monthly rent.
The cost of health insurance will depend on what options you choose and what visa type you have. Generally, health insurance for those on temporary visas like the 482 work visa is more expensive.
I have a post that lists rents in Sydney by suburb by the number of bedrooms.
I would definitely check that post out since your rent will be your top monthly expense in Sydney.
