Adelaide vs Sydney Cost of Living

Adelaide (Australia) · Overall index 57.8Sydney (Australia) · Overall index 73.6

Summary

  • Overall, Sydney is 27% more expensive than Adelaide.
  • Rent in Sydney is 72% more expensive than in Adelaide.
  • Transport in Sydney is 21% more expensive than in Adelaide.
ItemAdelaideSydneyDiff
Rent+72%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,609$2,565+59%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$922$1,647+79%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,858$5,117+79%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,751$3,039+74%
Groceries+17%
Milk (1L)$1.02$1.21+19%
White bread (500g)$3.31$3.39+2%
Rice (1kg)$3.61$3.94+9%
Eggs (12)$3.89$4.39+13%
Local cheese (1kg)$10.7$11.4+7%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$10.2$12.4+22%
Beef round (1kg)$14.6$17.4+19%
Apples (1kg)$4.59$5.02+9%
Bananas (1kg)$1.38$1.93+40%
Oranges (1kg)$3.55$4.29+21%
Tomatoes (1kg)$4.54$5.4+19%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.02$2.41+19%
Onions (1kg)$1.95$2.68+37%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.14$2.130%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.66$2.34+41%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$11.9$12.2+3%
Transport+21%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.94$2.2+13%
Public transport, monthly pass$87.3$108+24%
Taxi, base fare$2.76$3.3+20%
Taxi, per km$1.3$1.42+9%
Gasoline (1L)$0.58$0.85+47%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$19,332$21,959+14%
Dining out+17%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$15.3$20.9+37%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$89.8$92.8+3%
Fast food combo meal$7.9$9.43+19%
Cappuccino$4.09$4.57+12%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.69$2.1+24%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$5.62$5.5-2%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$6.38$7.76+22%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.48$1.81+22%
Telecom+18%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$47.5$49.8+5%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$50$52.8+6%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.23$0.31+35%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$10.9$14.2+30%
Utilities & household+16%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$141$149+6%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.15$0.21+40%
Tap water (1m³)$3.54$3.73+5%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.06$1.38+30%
Waste collection (monthly)$17.5$18.6+6%
Fitness club (monthly)$58.1$66.5+14%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$10.2$12.6+24%
Men's haircut$25$29.2+17%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$20.9$20.80%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,496$1,990+33%

3,582 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

Keep your standard of living

Estimates for reference only — not official statistics.

Compare other cities

vs

Frequently compared