Sydney vs Chicago
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Chicago is ~18% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Chicago
United States
COL+Rent
57.1
Rent Index
44
Groceries
72.9
Restaurant
73.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Chicago | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $1,998 | +$444 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $1,566 | +$256 |
| Groceries | $483 | $418 | +$65 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $22 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $73 | +$41 |
| Utilities | $171 | $169 | +$2 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $2,189/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $2,988/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $3,701/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,229/mo | -$271 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,638/mo | -$362 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,458/mo | -$542 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Chicago for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Chicago is approximately 18% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 vs Chicago's 57.1 (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 Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $1,998/month in Chicago — giving Chicago a $444/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,328 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Sydney ($483/mo) vs Chicago ($418/mo) reflect Chicago's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $22 show Chicago offers cheaper dining. 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, Chicago offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,988 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.