Sydney vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Houston is roughly 14% more affordable than Sydney (index 73 vs 85, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Houston
More affordable overall
14% cheaper than Sydney · Cost index: 73 vs 85

Head-to-Head Stats

85Cost Index73
7,920Median Income /mo5,094
75Safety Index19
32.5Income Tax %0
92Internet (Mbps)145
350Coworking /mo250

Price Breakdown

SydneyCategoryHouston
$2,100/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
36% ← cheaper
$1,350/month
$1.6/liter
Meal for One
9% ← cheaper
$1.45/liter
$18/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
33% ← cheaper
$12/meal
$112/month
Monthly Transit Pass
46% ← cheaper
$60/month
$220/month
Utilities (Monthly)
9% ← cheaper
$200/month
$65/visit
Doctor Visit
56% cheaper →
$148/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Sydney

Internet92 Mbps
Coworking$350/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability78/100

Houston

Internet145 Mbps
Coworking$250/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability45/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sydney cheaper than Houston?

Houston is cheaper than Sydney. Houston has a cost of living index of 73/100 compared to 85/100 for Sydney, making it roughly 14% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Houston than Sydney?

Houston is approximately 14% cheaper than Sydney based on cost index scores (73 vs 85, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Sydney could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,576/month in Houston.

What is the rent comparison between Sydney and Houston?

In Sydney, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $2,100/month. In Houston, the equivalent is around $1,350/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Sydney offers 92 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$350/month. Houston offers 145 Mbps and coworking at ~$250/month. Houston has a cost advantage of 14%.

What is the average income in Sydney vs Houston?

The median net monthly salary in Sydney is approximately $7,920 USD, compared to $5,094 USD in Houston.

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