Sydney vs Perth
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Perth is ~20% 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
Perth
Australia
COL+Rent
55.7
Rent Index
39.5
Groceries
74
Restaurant
63.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Perth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $1,758 | +$684 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $1,311 | +$511 |
| Groceries | $483 | $412 | +$71 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $22 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $97 | +$17 |
| Utilities | $171 | $146 | +$25 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Perth |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $1,930/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $2,743/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $3,419/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Perth | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,199/mo | -$301 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,598/mo | -$402 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,397/mo | -$603 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Perth for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Perth is approximately 20% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 vs Perth's 55.7 (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 Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $1,758/month in Perth — 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 Sydney ($483/mo) vs Perth ($412/mo) reflect Perth's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $22 show Perth 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, 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.