Is Chatswood Expensive?

Sydney, Australia

-5% vs Sydney avg

Living in Chatswood, Sydney

Chatswood is a relatively affordable area in Sydney, with a cost of living index of 70.8 — that is -5% compared to the Sydney average. At #17 of 24, it is below the city average in cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around A$2,970/month, compared to a range of A$2,251 in Bankstown to A$4,064 in Double Bay.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Chatswood, housing takes up roughly 43% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately A$118,790 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Chatswood

Salaries in Chatswood reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 70.8:

After tax and deductions of 17.8% in Australia, take-home pay for someone earning A$118,790 would be roughly A$97,645/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

70.8
COLI Index
0.95x
vs City Avg
A$2,970
Est. 1BR Rent
#17
of 24 Areas
17.8%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Chatswood

Estimated annual deductions on a A$75,452 salary in Chatswood, Sydney (local employee).

Income Tax
18%
Total Deductions: 17.8%
Est. Take-Home: A$62,028/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Chatswood would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $53,100
London GBP £45,697
Dubai AED AED 265,701

Other Neighborhoods in Sydney

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Double Bay 96.9 1.30x +30%
Mosman 95.4 1.28x +28%
CBD 93.1 1.25x +25%
Bondi 90.9 1.22x +22%
Pyrmont 87.9 1.18x +18%

View all 24 neighborhoods in Sydney →

Convert Your Salary

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Sydney City Comparisons

Sydney vs Melbourne

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Chatswood:

Washington Park, Denver Sloan Lake, Denver Kerrisdale, Vancouver Mississippi District, Portland Division, Portland Goose Hollow, Portland

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chatswood expensive in Sydney?

Chatswood is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Sydney. It costs about -5% less than the city average, ranking #17 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does Chatswood compare to the Sydney average?

The cost of living in Chatswood is below the Sydney average. With a multiplier of 0.95x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -5% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include Australian Bureau of Statistics · Australian Taxation Office · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.