Sydney VS Warsaw

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Sydney
Australia
74.5
COLI Index
#18
Global Rank
AUD
Currency
Warsaw
Poland
28.4
COLI Index
#87
Global Rank
PLN
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
74.5
28.4
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$2,200
$700
Total Deductions
18.4%
21.4%
Exchange Rate
1 AUD = 2.7557 PLN
Is Sydney cheaper than Warsaw?

Yes, Warsaw is 62% cheaper than Sydney based on our cost of living index. Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4, while Sydney has a COLI of 74.5. 62% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Sydney vs Warsaw

Overall, Warsaw is approximately 62% cheaper than Sydney based on our cost of living index. Sydney has a COLI of 74.5 (ranked #18 of 182 cities), while Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4 (ranked #87).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Sydney averages $2,200/month compared to $700/month in Warsaw. That makes Warsaw approximately 68% cheaper for rent alone.

Sydney has lower total deductions (18.4%) compared to Warsaw (21.4%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Sydney. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Sydney

Income Tax
18%
Total: 18.4%Take-Home: A$64,788/yr

Warsaw

Income Tax
8%
ZUS Contributions
13.7%
Total: 21.4%Take-Home: zł 65,561/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn A$106,570 in Sydney, you would need approximately zł 111,951 in Warsaw to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 62% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Sydney (AUD) Warsaw (PLN)
Doctor (General) A$190,547 zł 200,169
Software Engineer A$89,981 zł 94,524
Product Manager A$105,860 zł 111,205
Lawyer A$105,860 zł 111,205
Data Scientist A$100,567 zł 105,645
Marketing Manager A$76,219 zł 80,067
Teacher A$50,813 zł 53,378
Nurse A$61,399 zł 64,499

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Sydney (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Double Bay1.30x (+30%)
Mosman1.28x (+28%)
CBD1.25x (+25%)
Bondi1.22x (+22%)
Pyrmont1.18x (+18%)

Warsaw (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Śródmieście (Centre)1.25x (+25%)
Wilanów1.18x (+18%)
Żoliborz1.15x (+15%)
Stary Mokotów1.15x (+15%)
Mokotów1.12x (+12%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sydney or Warsaw more expensive?

Sydney is more expensive overall. Sydney has a COLI of 74.5 while Warsaw has a COLI of 28.4, making Warsaw approximately 62% cheaper.

What salary in Warsaw equals A$106,570 in Sydney?

To maintain the same standard of living as A$106,570 in Sydney, you would need approximately zł 111,951 in Warsaw.

Is rent cheaper in Sydney or Warsaw?

Average one-bedroom rent in Sydney is $2,200/month compared to $700/month in Warsaw. Warsaw has lower rent by approximately 68%.

Which city has lower taxes, Sydney or Warsaw?

Sydney has lower total deductions (18.4%) compared to Warsaw (21.4%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Sydney.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

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.