Sydney vs Graz
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Graz is ~43% 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
Graz
Austria
COL+Rent
39.4
Rent Index
18.1
Groceries
61.7
Restaurant
58
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Graz | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $821 | +$1,621 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $630 | +$1,192 |
| Groceries | $483 | $370 | +$113 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $15 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $47 | +$67 |
| Utilities | $171 | $170 | +$1 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Graz |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $1,166/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $1,633/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $2,055/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Graz | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $848/mo | -$652 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,131/mo | -$869 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,696/mo | -$1,304 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Graz for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Graz is approximately 43% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 vs Graz's 39.4 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $821/month in Graz — giving Graz a $1,621/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $19,452 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Sydney ($483/mo) vs Graz ($370/mo) reflect Graz's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $15 show Graz 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, Graz offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,633 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.