Perth vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Perth is ~20% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Perth
Australia
COL+Rent
55.7
Rent Index
39.5
Groceries
74
Restaurant
63.3
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Perth | Sydney | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,758 | $2,442 | $684 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,311 | $1,822 | $511 |
| Groceries | $412 | $483 | $71 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $25 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $97 | $114 | $17 |
| Utilities | $146 | $171 | $25 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Perth | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,930/mo | $2,545/mo |
| Typical | $2,743/mo | $3,585/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,419/mo | $4,423/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Perth | ≈ in Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,877/mo | +$377 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,503/mo | +$503 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,754/mo | +$754 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Perth vs Sydney for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Perth is approximately 20% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Perth's COL+Rent Index of 55.7 vs Sydney's 69.7 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Perth costs $1,758/month versus $2,442/month in Sydney — giving Perth a $684/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,208 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Perth ($412/mo) vs Sydney ($483/mo) reflect Perth's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 vs $25 show Perth is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Perth offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,743 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.