Cost of living in New York City (United States) is 74% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,247 prices entered by 166 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 85% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in New York City (United States) is 85% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $28 (AU$44) | AU$23 | + 86% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $15 (AU$23) | AU$16 | + 41% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 (AU$12) | AU$6 | + 94% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.49 (AU$2.30) | AU$2.07 | + 11% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $9 (AU$13) | AU$9 | + 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $8 (AU$12) | AU$4.98 | + 146% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $9 (AU$15) | AU$11 | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $7 (AU$10) | AU$4.89 | + 111% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $3.08 (AU$4.74) | AU$3.74 | + 27% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $9 (AU$13) | AU$6 | + 111% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $21 (AU$32) | AU$25 | + 28% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $4.03 (AU$6) | AU$3.93 | + 58% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $4.48 (AU$7) | AU$2.23 | + 209% | |
| Housing | + 79% | |||
| Housing in New York City (United States) is 79% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $5,676 (AU$8,723) | AU$4,940 | + 77% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $4,593 (AU$7,059) | AU$2,982 | + 137% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $306 (AU$470) | AU$227 | + 107% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,190 (AU$4,902) | AU$3,139 | + 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $3,008 (AU$4,622) | AU$2,121 | + 118% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $220 (AU$337) | AU$179 | + 88% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $72 (AU$110) | AU$61 | + 81% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $369 (AU$567) | AU$766 | - 26% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $111 (AU$170) | AU$274 | - 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $16 (AU$24) | AU$22 | + 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 (AU$62) | AU$40 | + 55% | |
| Clothes | + 10% | |||
| Clothes in New York City (United States) is 10% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Sydney | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $69 (AU$105) | AU$122 | - 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $48 (AU$74) | AU$85 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $126 (AU$194) | AU$157 | + 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $314 (AU$483) | AU$187 | + 159% | |
| Transportation | + 17% | |||
| Transportation in New York City (United States) is 17% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $48,568 (AU$74,637) | AU$40,486 | + 84% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.88 (AU$1.34) | AU$1.96 | - 31% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $133 (AU$205) | AU$183 | + 12% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $27 (AU$41) | AU$34 | + 22% | |
| Personal Care | + 227% | |||
| Personal Care in New York City (United States) is 227% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $19 (AU$30) | AU$9 | + 215% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $54 (AU$83) | AU$15 | + 462% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $208 (AU$320) | AU$93 | + 245% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $14 (AU$21) | AU$8 | + 148% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $10 (AU$15) | AU$4.52 | + 226% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $13 (AU$20) | AU$8 | + 155% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $9 (AU$14) | AU$4.13 | + 247% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $3.14 (AU$4.82) | AU$4.21 | + 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $44 (AU$68) | AU$38 | + 77% | |
| Entertainment | + 150% | |||
| Entertainment in New York City (United States) is 150% more expensive than in Sydney (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Sydney | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $90 (AU$139) | AU$82 | + 70% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $38 (AU$58) | AU$53 | + 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $541 (AU$831) | AU$295 | + 182% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $229 (AU$353) | AU$186 | + 89% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $20 (AU$31) | AU$19 | + 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $7 (AU$11) | AU$5.54 | + 94% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $12 (AU$18) | AU$12 | + 57% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $853 (AU$1,310) | AU$805 | + 63% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.66 (AU$2.55) | AU$0.26 | + 881% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $177 (AU$271) | AU$92 | + 196% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $18 (AU$28) | AU$44 | - 36% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 74% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,247 prices entered by 166 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.537
AUD
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least AU$26,139 ($17,009) in New York City to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with AU$15,000 in Sydney.
Do you live in Sydney? We need your help!
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