Salary Needed to Live Comfortably in Sydney
To live comfortably in Sydney as a single person, you typically need a gross annual salary of approximately $115,000. This provides a solid lifestyle with savings capacity and breathing room after rent and core expenses.
Cost of Living in Sydney (2026)
| Category | Monthly (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent (Centre) | $2,800 |
| 1-Bed Rent (Outside) | $2,100 |
| Groceries (single) | $500 |
| Transport | $180 |
| Utilities | $220 |
| Internet | $70 |
| Restaurants | $420 |
| Leisure | $320 |
Salary by Comfort Tier in Sydney
Covers essentials, very tight on extras
Comfortable basics, some savings, limited luxuries
Solid lifestyle, dining out, travel, decent savings
Premium lifestyle, strong savings, no financial stress
What About Couples and Families?
The figures above are for a single person renting in Sydney. For a couple, the combined household income for a comfortable lifestyle is roughly A$184k–A$230k combined, since rent and utilities are shared while groceries and childcare scale up.
Adding a child raises costs — childcare alone can add $1,200/month per child in Sydney.
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FAQ
What is a good salary to live well in Sydney?
For a comfortable lifestyle in Sydney as a single person, aim for approximately $115,000 gross per year. This puts you at a Cushy Index of around 67/100, with meaningful breathing room after rent and expenses.
How much rent should you budget in Sydney?
A one-bedroom apartment in Sydney costs roughly $2,100–$2,800 per month depending on location. Keeping rent below 30–35% of net income is the healthy guideline.
Is Sydney expensive compared to similar cities?
Sydney has a modeled cost index of 1.7x relative to the Spain national average used as the platform baseline, making it notably more expensive than average.
Calculate Your Cushy Index for Sydney
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