Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Melbourne is 8% cheaper than Sydney based on our cost of living index. Melbourne has a COLI of 68.2, while Sydney has a COLI of 74.5. 8% cheaper
Overall, Melbourne is approximately 8% cheaper than Sydney based on our cost of living index. Melbourne has a COLI of 68.2 (ranked #27 of 182 cities), while Sydney has a COLI of 74.5 (ranked #18).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Melbourne averages $1,800/month compared to $2,200/month in Sydney. That makes Melbourne approximately 18% cheaper for rent alone.
Melbourne has lower total deductions (17.3%) compared to Sydney (18.4%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Melbourne. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.
Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.
Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.
If you earn A$106,570 in Melbourne, you would need approximately A$116,414 in Sydney to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 8% more due to higher cost of living.
Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:
| Job Title | Melbourne (AUD) | Sydney (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | A$174,434 | A$190,547 |
| Software Engineer | A$82,372 | A$89,981 |
| Product Manager | A$96,908 | A$105,860 |
| Lawyer | A$96,908 | A$105,860 |
| Data Scientist | A$92,062 | A$100,567 |
| Marketing Manager | A$69,774 | A$76,219 |
| Teacher | A$46,516 | A$50,813 |
| Nurse | A$56,206 | A$61,399 |
Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Toorak | 1.30x (+30%) |
| South Yarra | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Brighton | 1.22x (+22%) |
| CBD | 1.20x (+20%) |
| Albert Park | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Double Bay | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Mosman | 1.28x (+28%) |
| CBD | 1.25x (+25%) |
| Bondi | 1.22x (+22%) |
| Pyrmont | 1.18x (+18%) |
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Open Salary ConverterSydney is more expensive overall. Melbourne has a COLI of 68.2 while Sydney has a COLI of 74.5, making Melbourne approximately 8% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as A$106,570 in Melbourne, you would need approximately A$116,414 in Sydney.
Average one-bedroom rent in Melbourne is $1,800/month compared to $2,200/month in Sydney. Melbourne has lower rent by approximately 18%.
Melbourne has lower total deductions (17.3%) compared to Sydney (18.4%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Melbourne.
Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.
Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.
Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.