Cost of Living in Sydney — 2026

Real prices for rent, food, transport, and bills. All figures in AUD. Updated for 2026.

💰

Single person (shared)

$700–$1,200/month

🏠

Single person (own apartment)

$1,200–$2,000/month

👫

Couple (sharing)

$1,800–$2,800/month

🏠Rent & Housing

Shared house (room, inner Sydney)

$280–$450/week

Studio / 1-bedroom apartment (inner Sydney)

$550–$800/week

2-bedroom apartment (inner Sydney)

$700–$1,200/week

2-bedroom apartment (outer suburbs)

$450–$700/week

Bond (4 weeks rent)

4 weeks rent

Rental bond fee (NSW Fair Trading)

~$50

🚇Transport

Opal card weekly cap (adult)

$50

Single train trip (CBD to Parramatta)

$5.60

Single bus trip (inner city)

$2.40–$4.80

Light rail trip

$2.40–$4.80

Uber (CBD to Airport)

$45–$65

Petrol (per litre)

~$1.90

🛒Groceries & Food

Weekly grocery shop (1 person, Woolies/Coles)

$80–$120

Milk (1L)

$2.50

Bread (loaf)

$4.50

Eggs (12 pack)

$6.50

Chicken breast (1kg)

$12–$16

Rice (2kg)

$6–$10

Dining out (cafe brunch)

$20–$30

Dining out (restaurant dinner)

$35–$65

Korean restaurant (bibimbap)

$18–$25

Takeaway coffee

$4.50–$6

📱Phone & Internet

Prepaid SIM (Amaysim / Boost / Aldi)

$15–$30/month

Postpaid plan (20GB+)

$30–$50/month

Home NBN internet (50Mbps)

$70–$90/month

Home NBN internet (100Mbps)

$90–$110/month

💡Utilities & Bills

Electricity (1 person, apartment)

$80–$150/quarter

Gas (cooking + hot water)

$50–$100/quarter

Water (apartment, billed quarterly)

$80–$180/quarter

Contents insurance (renters)

$20–$40/month

🏥Health Insurance

OSHC (student, single, per year)

~$600/year

OVHC (working holiday, per year)

~$500–$900/year

GP visit (bulk billed)

Free

GP visit (private, no Medicare)

$50–$80

Ambulance cover (annual)

~$60/year

💡 Money-Saving Tips

• Shop at Aldi for groceries — it's 20-30% cheaper than Woolies/Coles
• Use the Opal card weekly cap — after $50, all travel is free for the week
• Korean grocery stores (Strathfield, Eastwood, Campsie) have cheaper Asian ingredients
• Share housing is the biggest cost saver — save $200+/week vs living alone
• Buy second-hand furniture on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree

💡 Money-Saving Tips

• Shop at Aldi for groceries — it's 20-30% cheaper than Woolies/Coles

• Use the Opal card weekly cap — after $50, all travel is free for the week

• Korean grocery stores (Strathfield, Eastwood, Campsie) have cheaper Asian ingredients

• Share housing is the biggest cost saver — save $200+/week vs living alone

• Buy second-hand furniture on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree