Sydney vs Austin

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Sydney is roughly 8% more affordable than Austin (index 50 vs 55, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Sydney
More affordable overall
8% cheaper than Austin · Cost index: 50 vs 55

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

50Cost Index55
5,100Median Income /mo5,417
79Safety Index65
32.5Income Tax %10
84Internet (Mbps)200
600Coworking /mo350

Price Breakdown

SydneyCategoryAustin
$2,143/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
23% ← cheaper
$1,650/month
$1.8/liter
Meal for One
36% ← cheaper
$1.15/liter
$22/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
27% ← cheaper
$16/meal
$140/month
Monthly Transit Pass
54% ← cheaper
$65/month
$222/month
Utilities (Monthly)
21% ← cheaper
$175/month
$100/visit
Doctor Visit
17% cheaper →
$120/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Sydney

Internet84 Mbps
Coworking$600/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability70/100

Austin

Internet200 Mbps
Coworking$350/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability65/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sydney cheaper than Austin?

Sydney is cheaper than Austin. Sydney has a cost of living index of 50/100 compared to 55/100 for Austin (New York = 100), making it roughly 8% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Sydney than Austin?

Sydney is approximately 8% cheaper than Austin based on cost index scores (50 vs 55, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Austin could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,755/month in Sydney.

What is the rent comparison between Sydney and Austin?

In Sydney, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $2,143/month. In Austin, the equivalent is around $1,650/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Sydney or Austin?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Sydney offers 84 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$600/month. Austin offers 200 Mbps and coworking at ~$350/month. Sydney has a cost advantage of 8%.

What is the average income in Sydney vs Austin?

The median net monthly salary in Sydney is approximately $5,100 USD, compared to $5,417 USD in Austin.

Compare Sydney with…

Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Sydney wins or loses.

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Same spending tier, different part of the world — the head-to-heads people actually weigh when relocating.

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