{"id":5436,"date":"2026-11-10T22:00:54","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T11:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/?p=5436"},"modified":"2026-11-10T22:07:10","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T11:07:10","slug":"sydney-vs-melbourne-cost-of-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/sydney-vs-melbourne-cost-of-living\/","title":{"rendered":"Sydney vs Melbourne Cost of Living: Side-by-Side Comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sydney vs Melbourne Cost of Living<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Melbourne is cheaper to live in than Sydney, and housing is almost the whole reason. A median house costs about $250 a week less to rent in Melbourne, and the typical home is roughly $400,000 cheaper to buy. Wages in NSW run a little higher, but not enough to close that gap for most households. Day-to-day costs like power, groceries and transport are close in both cities, and Sydney is actually cheaper for heavy public transport users thanks to its $50 weekly cap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Takeaways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rent:<\/strong> Melbourne houses and units both rent for a median $600 a week. Sydney houses sit around $850 and units around $780.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Buying:<\/strong> Sydney&#8217;s median dwelling value has fallen to about $1.18 million. Melbourne&#8217;s is about $780,000.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stamp duty:<\/strong> NSW first home buyers pay no duty up to $800,000. Victoria&#8217;s full exemption stops at $600,000.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wages:<\/strong> NSW full-time earnings are a little above the national average. Victoria&#8217;s are a little below.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transport:<\/strong> Sydney caps adult fares at $50 a week. A full working week of capped Myki fares in Melbourne is $57.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bottom line:<\/strong> a renting household in a median house saves around $12,000 to $13,000 a year in Melbourne before any wage difference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Cost-Of-Living.jpg\" alt=\"Sydney vs Melbourne Cost of Living\" class=\"wp-image-4942\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4992888417882142;width:573px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Cost-Of-Living.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Cost-Of-Living-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Cost-Of-Living-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Cost-Of-Living-980x654.jpg 980w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Cost-Of-Living-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sydney vs Melbourne At a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Cost<\/th><th>Sydney<\/th><th>Melbourne<\/th><th>Cheaper<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Median house rent (per week)<\/td><td>~$850<\/td><td>$600<\/td><td>Melbourne<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Median unit rent (per week)<\/td><td>~$780<\/td><td>$600<\/td><td>Melbourne<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Median dwelling value<\/td><td>$1,178,959<\/td><td>$780,550<\/td><td>Melbourne<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Median house value<\/td><td>Above $1.5m<\/td><td>$915,119<\/td><td>Melbourne<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>First home buyer stamp duty exemption<\/td><td>Up to $800,000<\/td><td>Up to $600,000<\/td><td>Sydney<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Average full-time weekly earnings (state)<\/td><td>$2,109 (NSW)<\/td><td>Slightly below national average (VIC)<\/td><td>Sydney<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Adult public transport, weekday daily cap<\/td><td>$19.30<\/td><td>$11.40<\/td><td>Melbourne<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Adult public transport, weekly maximum<\/td><td>$50 cap<\/td><td>$57 for a 7-day pass<\/td><td>Sydney<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Default electricity offer (typical home, flat rate)<\/td><td>$1,899 (Ausgrid)<\/td><td>$1,591 (VDO average)<\/td><td>Melbourne<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rents are Domain asking rents. Property values are Cotality&#8217;s Home Value Index (Sydney October, Melbourne September). Electricity figures are regulated default offers, which use different usage assumptions in each state, so treat them as a guide rather than a like-for-like quote. Full sources are listed at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"499\" height=\"332\" src=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/COST-OF-LIVING.jpg\" alt=\"Sydney vs Melbourne Cost of Living\" class=\"wp-image-5440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/COST-OF-LIVING.jpg 499w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/COST-OF-LIVING-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 499px) 100vw, 499px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Housing: Where the Real Difference Lives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Renting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rent is the line that decides this comparison for most people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Domain&#8217;s latest quarterly report has Melbourne&#8217;s median asking rent at $600 a week for both houses and units. Rents there have paused rather than fallen, and the vacancy rate has edged up to 1.4%, so renters have a little more choice than they did mid-year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sydney is a different story. House rents jumped to a median $850 a week in the June quarter, the sharpest rise of any capital, before slipping 0.6% in the September quarter. Units sit at around $780.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What that means in dollars:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Renting a median house: about <strong>$250 a week, or $13,000 a year<\/strong>, cheaper in Melbourne.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Renting a median unit: about <strong>$180 a week, or $9,400 a year<\/strong>, cheaper in Melbourne.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One quirk worth knowing: Melbourne is the only capital where a median unit costs the same to rent as a median house. If you are moving down from a Sydney apartment, you may be able to rent a house with a yard for what you were paying for a unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Buying<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both markets have cooled sharply this year as interest rates rose. Cotality puts Sydney&#8217;s median dwelling value at $1,178,959, more than 10% below its February peak and lower than it was five years ago. Melbourne&#8217;s median sits at $780,550, with houses at $915,119 and units at $624,740.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That leaves a gap of roughly <strong>$400,000<\/strong> for the typical home. Earlier in the year the gap topped $600,000, the widest since 1999. Sydney has fallen faster, so the gap has narrowed, but Melbourne is still far cheaper. It now ranks only sixth among the capitals, behind Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On a 20% deposit alone, that $400,000 difference is $80,000 less you need to save in Melbourne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"604\" height=\"402\" src=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/cost-of-living-vic.jpg\" alt=\"Cost of Living\" class=\"wp-image-5404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/cost-of-living-vic.jpg 604w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/cost-of-living-vic-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stamp Duty: The One Housing Cost That Favours Sydney<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First home buyers get a better deal in NSW:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th><\/th><th>NSW<\/th><th>Victoria<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Full exemption<\/td><td>Up to $800,000<\/td><td>Up to $600,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Partial concession<\/td><td>Up to $1,000,000<\/td><td>Up to $750,000<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice, a Sydney first home buyer purchasing a unit under $800,000 pays no duty. In Melbourne, the median unit (about $625,000) is already just past the full exemption. Check both state revenue offices for current thresholds before you sign anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/sydney-cost-of-living\/\">Sydney Cost of Living Breakdown: Rent, Bills, Transport &amp; More<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Income: Does Sydney Pay Enough More?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ABS publishes earnings by state, not by city, but Sydney and Melbourne make up most of each state&#8217;s workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>NSW:<\/strong> average full-time ordinary earnings were <strong>$2,109.20 a week<\/strong> (May figures), above the national average of $2,083.70.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Victoria:<\/strong> sits slightly below the national average.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gap works out to a few thousand dollars a year in Sydney&#8217;s favour for the average full-time worker. Higher-paid jobs in finance, law and tech concentrate in Sydney, so the difference can be much larger in those fields. For most households, though, it does not come close to covering a $13,000-a-year rent gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A quick test before you decide:<\/strong> take the salary you would earn in each city, subtract a year of rent for the home you would actually live in, and compare what is left. That single sum answers the question better than any average.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Everyday Costs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Public Transport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the one everyday cost where Sydney can come out ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Adult fares<\/th><th>Sydney (Opal)<\/th><th>Melbourne (Myki)<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Weekday daily cap<\/td><td>$19.30 (Mon\u2013Thu)<\/td><td>$11.40<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Weekend daily cap<\/td><td>$9.65 (Fri\u2013Sun and public holidays)<\/td><td>$8.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Weekly maximum<\/td><td>$50 cap, automatic<\/td><td>$57 for a 7-day pass<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Free zone<\/td><td>None<\/td><td>Free Tram Zone in the CBD<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you commute every day, Sydney&#8217;s automatic $50 weekly cap can make it cheaper than Melbourne. If you travel occasionally, Melbourne&#8217;s lower daily caps and Free Tram Zone usually win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Families in Melbourne get one big bonus: children and teens under 18 travel free on Victorian public transport, as long as they carry a Youth Myki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/food-cost.jpg\" alt=\"Sydney vs Melbourne Cost of Living\" class=\"wp-image-5294\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4992888417882142;width:597px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/food-cost.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/food-cost-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/food-cost-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/food-cost-980x654.jpg 980w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/food-cost-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electricity and Gas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regulated default offers give a fair benchmark:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sydney (Ausgrid network):<\/strong> $1,899 a year for a typical home on a flat rate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Melbourne (Victorian Default Offer):<\/strong> $1,591 a year on average.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The default offer is a safety net, not the cheapest deal, so most households pay less by shopping around. Melbourne&#8217;s colder winters mean more heating, and many older Melbourne homes use gas, so budget for a gas bill there that a Sydney unit may not have. In both cities, retailers now have to offer a plan with three hours of free power in the middle of the day for homes with a smart meter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Groceries, Fuel, Phone and Internet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The big supermarket chains, phone providers and NBN retailers price nationally, so these costs are close in both cities and rarely decide the question. Fuel moves week to week in both markets. Your own habits will matter far more than your postcode here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lifestyle Costs People Forget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tolls:<\/strong> Sydney&#8217;s motorway network is heavily tolled. If you will drive across the city to work, add tolls to your budget. Melbourne has tolls too (CityLink and EastLink) but fewer of them on typical commutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weather:<\/strong> Melbourne&#8217;s cooler, changeable climate means more heating and more winter clothing. Sydney&#8217;s summer means more air-conditioning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Space:<\/strong> for the same budget you usually get a bigger home closer to the city in Melbourne, which can cut travel time and cost.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Beaches and outdoors:<\/strong> Sydney&#8217;s free harbour and beach lifestyle is a real value for some people, and that is worth counting too.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What It Adds Up To: A Renting Household Example<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is a simple yearly comparison for a household renting a median house and commuting by public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Yearly cost<\/th><th>Sydney<\/th><th>Melbourne<\/th><th>Difference<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Rent (median house)<\/td><td>~$44,200<\/td><td>$31,200<\/td><td>Melbourne saves ~$13,000<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Electricity (default offer)<\/td><td>$1,899<\/td><td>$1,591<\/td><td>Melbourne saves ~$300<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Public transport (one adult, 48 weeks at the weekly maximum)<\/td><td>$2,400<\/td><td>$2,736<\/td><td>Sydney saves ~$340<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total of these three<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>~$48,500<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>~$35,500<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Melbourne saves ~$13,000<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Against that, the average NSW full-time worker earns a few thousand dollars more a year. For most renters, Melbourne still comes out well ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/melbourne-cost-of-living\/\">Melbourne Cost of Living Breakdown: Rent, Bills, Transport &amp; More<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So Which City Is Cheaper For You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Renters and young families:<\/strong> Melbourne, clearly. The rent saving is large, and kids travel free.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First home buyers on a tighter budget:<\/strong> Melbourne, because prices are so much lower, even though NSW stamp duty rules are more generous.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High earners in finance, law or tech:<\/strong> Sydney can make sense if the salary difference is large enough to cover the housing gap. Run the numbers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Daily public transport commuters:<\/strong> Sydney&#8217;s $50 weekly cap gives it a small edge on fares.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Remote workers:<\/strong> Melbourne. You keep your salary and cut your biggest cost.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"423\" height=\"755\" src=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2-men-with-a-van.jpg\" alt=\"Moving Services\" class=\"wp-image-5089\" style=\"width:284px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2-men-with-a-van.jpg 423w, https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2-men-with-a-van-168x300.jpg 168w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 423px) 100vw, 423px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts: Sydney or Melbourne \u2013 Which City Is Right for You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When comparing the cost of living in Sydney and Melbourne, Melbourne comes out as the more affordable option for most households. Lower rent and property prices can make a significant difference to your monthly budget, particularly for renters, first-home buyers and families. Sydney, on the other hand, may be worth considering if your career offers a higher salary or you regularly use its public transport network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the cheapest city is not automatically the best choice for everyone. Before making a decision, consider your expected income, housing needs, daily commute and lifestyle. Comparing these expenses against your actual budget will give you a much clearer picture of where you can live comfortably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have decided to <a href=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/interstate\/interstate-removalists-sydney\/\">move between Sydney and Melbourne<\/a>, planning the relocation is just as important as planning your finances. <a href=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/\">Moving Champs<\/a> can help you organise your interstate move, understand the costs involved and choose a moving option that suits your requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Compare your options, plan your budget and make your next move with confidence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1794307352075\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-q\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Q<\/span><h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is Melbourne cheaper than Sydney?<\/h3>\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">A<\/span><div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. Housing is much cheaper in Melbourne: median rents are about $250 a week lower for a house and the typical home costs roughly $400,000 less to buy. Most everyday costs are similar in both cities.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1794307358434\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-q\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Q<\/span><h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How much more is rent in Sydney than Melbourne?<\/h3>\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">A<\/span><div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Around $250 a week more for a median house and about $180 a week more for a median unit, based on Domain&#8217;s latest quarterly figures. That is roughly $9,000 to $13,000 a year.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1794307365334\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-q\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Q<\/span><h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Do you earn more in Sydney than Melbourne?<\/h3>\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">A<\/span><div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>On average, yes, but only slightly. NSW full-time workers earn a little above the national average and Victorian workers a little below it. The difference is usually a few thousand dollars a year, far less than the rent gap.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1794307376095\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-q\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Q<\/span><h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is public transport cheaper in Sydney or Melbourne?<\/h3>\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">A<\/span><div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It depends how often you travel. Melbourne has lower daily caps and a free CBD tram zone. Sydney never charges an adult more than $50 a week, so daily commuters can pay less there.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1794307386119\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-q\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Q<\/span><h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What salary do you need to live comfortably in Sydney compared with Melbourne?<\/h3>\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">A<\/span><div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A common rule is to keep rent under 30% of your gross income. On that rule, renting a median Sydney house at about $850 a week needs a household income of roughly $147,000. In Melbourne, a $600-a-week house needs about $104,000.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1794307393591\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-q\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Q<\/span><h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is it a good time to buy in Sydney or Melbourne?<\/h3>\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">A<\/span><div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Prices in both cities have fallen this year as interest rates rose, and Sydney has fallen further. Whether that makes it a good time depends on your finances and how long you plan to stay. Speak to a mortgage broker or financial adviser before you decide.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1794307405545\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-q\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Q<\/span><h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How much does it cost to move from Sydney to Melbourne?<\/h3>\n<span class=\"faq-label faq-label-a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">A<\/span><div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It depends on how much you are moving and whether you share a truck or book your own. See our <a href=\"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/moving-from-sydney-to-melbourne\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sydney to Melbourne moving guide<\/a> for typical prices, or get a free quote.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sydney vs Melbourne Cost of Living Melbourne is cheaper to live in than Sydney, and housing is almost the whole reason. A median house costs about $250 a week less to rent in Melbourne, and the typical home is roughly $400,000 cheaper to buy. Wages in NSW run a little higher, but not enough to close that gap for most households. Day-to-day costs like power, groceries and transport are close&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5446,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[189],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cost-of-living"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5436","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5436"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5436\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5445,"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5436\/revisions\/5445"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5436"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5436"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movingchamps.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}