Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Melbourne vs Sydney
Melbourne vs Sydney cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ฆ๐บ Melbourne
๐ฆ๐บ SydneySydney is 10% cheaper than Melbourne
Living on $6,213 a month in Melbourne feels like about $6,227 in Sydney โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$324 vs $256
Per month
$6,213 vs $6,227
Local meal
A$ 22 vs A$ 20
$14.7 vs $13.3
Taxi 5 km
A$ 22 vs A$ 16
$14.7 vs $10.7
At a glance
FoodSydney 14% cheaper
Cafรฉs & drinkssimilar
TransportSydney 16% cheaper
StaySydney 7% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Sydney is clearly cheaper: Taxi (27%โ), Restaurant dinner (25%โ), Transit (22%โ)
- Where Melbourne is clearly cheaper: Bottled water (17%โ), Convenience store (16%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Melbourne | Sydney | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | A$ 22$14.7 | A$ 20$13.3 | Sydney โ9% |
| Street food1 item | A$ 9.9$6.6 | A$ 9$6 | Sydney โ9% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | A$ 60$40 | A$ 45$30 | Sydney โ25% |
| Coffeeone cup | A$ 6$4 | A$ 5.5$3.67 | Sydney โ8% |
| Beerone bottle | A$ 10$6.67 | A$ 11$7.33 | Melbourne โ9% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | A$ 26$17.3 | A$ 29$19.3 | Melbourne โ10% |
| Bottled water | A$ 2.5$1.67 | A$ 3$2 | Melbourne โ17% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | A$ 6.3$4.2 | A$ 7.5$5 | Melbourne โ16% |
| Taxi5 km in town | A$ 22$14.7 | A$ 16$10.7 | Sydney โ27% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | A$ 18$12 | A$ 18$12 | similar |
| Transitone ride | A$ 4.5$3 | A$ 3.5$2.33 | Sydney โ22% |
| Scooter rentalper day | A$ 75$50 | A$ 75$50 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | A$ 280$187 | A$ 220$147 | Sydney โ21% |
| Studio rent (month) | A$ 2,800$1,867 | A$ 3,000$2,000 | Melbourne โ7% |
| Laundry | A$ 7.5$5 | A$ 7.5$5 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | A$ 30$20 | A$ 30$20 | similar |
| Haircutcut | A$ 42$28 | A$ 42$28 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | A$ 120$80 | A$ 120$80 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | A$ 140$93.3 | A$ 140$93.3 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | A$ 38$25.3 | A$ 38$25.3 | similar |
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, Melbourne or Sydney?
Sydney is 10% cheaper than Melbourne. Daily budget $324 vs $256; a month $6,213 vs $6,227.
How do monthly costs compare between Melbourne and Sydney?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Melbourne is about $6,213 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.