Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Auckland vs Sydney
Auckland vs Sydney cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ณ๐ฟ Auckland
๐ฆ๐บ SydneyAuckland and Sydney cost about the same
Living on $5,511 a month in Auckland feels like about $6,227 in Sydney โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$304 vs $256
Per month
$5,511 vs $6,227
Local meal
NZ$ 23 vs A$ 20
$13.9 vs $13.3
Taxi 5 km
NZ$ 25 vs A$ 16
$15.2 vs $10.7
At a glance
FoodSydney 9% cheaper
Cafรฉs & drinkssimilar
TransportSydney 11% cheaper
StayAuckland 6% cheaper
FunAuckland 6% cheaper
- Where Sydney is clearly cheaper: Taxi (30%โ), Restaurant dinner (21%โ)
- Where Auckland is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (21%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Auckland | Sydney | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | NZ$ 23$13.9 | A$ 20$13.3 | similar |
| Street food1 item | NZ$ 10$6.06 | A$ 9$6 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | NZ$ 63$38.2 | A$ 45$30 | Sydney โ21% |
| Coffeeone cup | NZ$ 6.5$3.94 | A$ 5.5$3.67 | Sydney โ7% |
| Beerone bottle | NZ$ 12$7.27 | A$ 11$7.33 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | NZ$ 31$18.8 | A$ 29$19.3 | similar |
| Bottled water | NZ$ 3$1.82 | A$ 3$2 | Auckland โ9% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | NZ$ 7.5$4.55 | A$ 7.5$5 | Auckland โ9% |
| Taxi5 km in town | NZ$ 25$15.2 | A$ 16$10.7 | Sydney โ30% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | NZ$ 20$12.1 | A$ 18$12 | similar |
| Transitone ride | NZ$ 4$2.42 | A$ 3.5$2.33 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | NZ$ 82$49.7 | A$ 75$50 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | NZ$ 280$170 | A$ 220$147 | Sydney โ14% |
| Studio rent (month) | NZ$ 2,600$1,576 | A$ 3,000$2,000 | Auckland โ21% |
| Laundry | NZ$ 8$4.85 | A$ 7.5$5 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | NZ$ 33$20 | A$ 30$20 | similar |
| Haircutcut | NZ$ 46$27.9 | A$ 42$28 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | NZ$ 130$78.8 | A$ 120$80 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | NZ$ 150$90.9 | A$ 140$93.3 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | NZ$ 36$21.8 | A$ 38$25.3 | Auckland โ14% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Auckland or Sydney?
Auckland and Sydney cost about the same. Daily budget $304 vs $256; a month $5,511 vs $6,227.
How do monthly costs compare between Auckland and Sydney?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Auckland is about $5,511 and Sydney about $6,227 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.