Table of Contents
Dreaming of studying Down Under? Australia, with its vibrant cities and world-class universities, beckons students worldwide. But before packing your bags, a crucial decision awaits: Perth or Sydney?
Both cities are top contenders, offering diverse experiences and academic excellence. Yet, understanding the cost of living plays a vital role in making an informed choice. Buckle up as we unveil a comprehensive comparison of Perth and Sydney’s living expenses, helping you navigate this critical aspect of your study abroad journey.
Cost Of Living Calculator
| Description | Cost (£) |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Accommodation | 100 |
| Total Cost of Transport | 50 |
| Total Cost of Utilities | 30 |
| Total Cost of Food | 70 |
| Total Estimated Cost | 250 |
The Numbers Speak Perth vs Sydney Cost of Living:
- Perth: The average annual cost of living in Perth sits at a comfortable AU$17,820.
- Sydney: While offering a bustling metropolis experience, Sydney demands a higher price tag, averaging AU$23,820 annually.
These figures encompass essential expenses like accommodation, transportation, food, groceries, and more. But wait, there’s more! This guide delves deeper, providing a meticulous comparison of various living costs in both cities. Stay tuned as we explore:
- Accommodation: From bustling apartments to student-friendly co-living options, we’ll compare the housing landscapes.
- Transportation: Discover the costs of navigating each city’s public transport infrastructure and potential alternatives.
- Food and Groceries: Explore the affordability of groceries and dining out options in both locations.
- Additional Expenses: We’ll shed light on miscellaneous expenses you might encounter, from phone bills to entertainment.
Armed with a clear understanding of the cost of living, you can make an informed decision about your Australian study destination. So, let’s dive deeper and uncover which city offers the most cost-effective environment for your academic adventure!
Breakdown Of Perth Vs Sydney Cost Of Living
As previously mentioned in the above section, the average annual cost of living in Perth is AU$ 17,820, whereas that in Sydney is AU$ 23,820. We can clearly derive that Sydney is more expensive to live in. However, to properly understand Perth vs Sydney cost of living, let us look at each factor individually. The following table consists of a side-by-side comparison of Perth vs Syndey cost of living.
| Particulars | Monthly Living Expenses in Perth (AU$) | Monthly Living Expenses in Sydney (AU$) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | AU$ 352 | AU$ 705 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | AU$ 640 | AU$ 936 |
| Transportation | AU$ 168 | AU$ 160 |
| Food Cost | AU$ 696 | AU$ 754 |
| Utility Cost | AU$ 147 | AU$ 190 |
| Entertainment | AU$ 66 | AU$ 51 |
| Groceries | AU$ 147 | AU$ 182 |
| Clothes | AU$ 77 | AU$ 103 |
| Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation | AU$ 1,485 | AU$ 1,985 |
| Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation | AU$ 1,773 | AU$ 2,216 |
| Annual Cost of Living | AU$ 17,820 | AU$ 23,820 |
Housing (Perth vs Sydney Cost of Living)
Both off-campus and on-campus accommodation in Sydney are nearly 50% more costly than in Perth. However, we can conclude that on-campus accommodation is more expensive in both places. Off-campus housing has other benefits, too, such as more flexibility, liberty, and choices. Consider the following table for a better insight into accommodation prices in Perth and Sydney.
| Particulars | Location | Cost in Perth (AU$) | Cost in Sydney (AU$) |
| Rent of 1BHK | In city centre | AU$ 1,626/month | AU$ 2,576/month |
| Outside city centre | AU$ 1,277/month | AU$ 1,854/month | |
| Rent of 3BHK | In city centre | AU$ 2,638/month | AU$ 4,895/month |
| Outside city centre | AU$ 1,816/month | AU$ 2,638/month | |
| Total cost of an apartment | In city centre | AU$ 6,900/sq. m. | AU$ 15,968/sq. m. |
| Outside city centre | AU$ 4,274/sq. m. | AU$ 9,464/sq. m. | |
| Mortgage rates | – | 3.08% | AU$ 2.74% |
Finding accommodation by yourself can be challenging in a foreign place. Fortunately, UniAcco can help you out! We assist you in comparing different properties in the same place so you can pick one that suits your needs and preferences. Check out the following table for some of our top recommendations for accommodation options in Perth.
| Accommodation | Weekly Rent Starting From (AU$) | Room options |
| Campus Perth Australia | AU$ 224 | Studio, co-living spaces |
| Murdoch University Village | AU$ 189 | Shared apartments |
| Boulevard Perth | AU$ 319 | Shared apartments, studio |
| Perth Central | AU$ 305 | Studio, shared apartments, ensuite |
Similarly, check out housing options in Sydney in the following table. It is advisable to choose one that has maximum utilities and amenities within a budget that suits your pocket!
| Accommodation | Weekly Rent Starting From (AU$) | Room options |
| Scape Darlington | AU$ 769 | Studio, apartments |
| Scape Redfern0 | AU$ 399 | Apartments, twin apartments, studios |
| UKO Annandale | AU$ 580 | Studio |
| Y Suites on Gibbons | AU$ 539 | Studio, standard apartments, twin sharing rooms |
| Redfern Village | AU$ 400 | Balcony studios, single room, twin sharing rooms, apartments |
Transportation an Important Factor in Perth vs Sydney Cost of Living
Both Perth and Sydney foster a well-connected network of public transportation. Although private transport is also available, it is significantly more expensive than public means of transportation. Also, it is highly advisable for students to look for housing properties within walking distance of their college campus as it will help them save both money and time of commute. Students can also avail of student passes and other concessions to save on expenses. Here’s a compilation of the average costs of transport.
| Particulars | Cost in Perth (AU$) | Cost in Sydney (AU$) |
| A one-way ticket for local transport | AU$ 4 | AU$ 4.5 |
| Monthly Pass | AU$ 139 | AU$ 217.39 |
| Fuel/litre | AU$ 1.63 | AU$ 1.73 |
| Taxi (Starting) | AU$ 6.54 | AU$ 5 |
| Taxi/km | AU$ 1.86 | AU$ 2.7 |
Food And Groceries
The cost of food in Perth is around AU$ 696, whereas that in Sydney is AU$ 754. Similarly, groceries in Sydney are priced at AU$182, considerably more than that in Perth, AU$ 147. Food, groceries, dining out or takeaway are highly subjective expenses. They depend on each person’s standard of living and preferences. Generally, groceries are priced around 3.06% higher in Sydney than in Perth. Let’s explore the standard cost of basic groceries.
| Particulars | Cost in Perth (AU$ ) | Cost in Sydney (AU$ ) |
| Milk – 1 litre | AU$ 1.69 | AU$ 1.7 |
| White Bread – 500gm | AU$ 2.51 | AU$ 3.05 |
| Eggs – one dozen | AU$ 4.82 | AU$ 4.81 |
| White rice – 1kg | AU$ 2.66 | AU$ 2.71 |
| Potatoes – 1kg | AU$ 2.89 | AU$ 3.39 |
| Lettuce – 1 head | AU$ 2.18 | AU$ 2.61 |
| Tomatoes – 1kg | AU$ 4.82 | AU$ 6.17 |
| Chicken – 1kg | AU$ 10.78 | AU$ 11.32 |
| Cheese – 1kg | AU$ 11.67 | AU$ 12.15 |
| Apples – 1kg | AU$ 4.82 | AU$ 4.29 |
| Oranges – 1 head | AU$ 3.71 | AU$ 3.57 |
You can save on the cost of dining out by accessing student discounts. Some places offer concessions on entry to students if they can produce valid proof of identification and university. Although, in theory, the difference between restaurant prices is 3.4% higher in Sydney than in Perth, it isn’t much in practice.
Entertainment & Miscellaneous
Other than the housing, commute, utilities and groceries, a major portion of monthly expenditure comprises clothing, accessories, and recreational expenses. Although these costs can be adjusted depending on the budget, preferences and overall living standards, they still contribute significantly. Look at the following table for a better insight.
| Particulars | Cost in Perth (AU$ ) | Cost in Sydney (AU$ ) |
| Pair of Jeans | AU$ 91.32 | AU$ 111.02 |
| Dress (from chain stores) | AU$ 113 | AU$ 120.28 |
| Nike shoes | AU$ 178.39 | AU$ 171.53 |
| Business shoes | AU$ 208.34 | AU$ 193.36 |
| Movies – 1 | AU$ 19 | AU$ 20 |
| Gym/fitness club – monthly | AU$ 73.62 | AU$ 88.17 |
ROI – Returns on Investment
ROI indicates the amount of money or benefits you derive against the initial investment. In simpler terms, ROI could be the average annual salary earned against the annual cost of tuition. Let’s first begin with the former to analyse the returns on investment while comparing Perth vs Sydney cost of living.
Tuition & Salary in Perth
Check out the popular universities in Perth and their average annual cost of tuition.
| University Name | Cost of Studying in Perth (AU$ ) |
| Edith Cowan University | AU$ 32,000 |
| Murdoch University | AU$ 30,000 |
| Curtin University | AU$ 25,000 |
| University of Notre Dame | AU$ 37,000 |
| The University of Western Australia | AU$ 30,000 |
To understand the returns, let’s look at the average annual salaries in Perth for some of the most popular job profiles. Perth has an average annual salary of AU$ 94,985.
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary (AU$ ) |
| Operations Manager | AU$ 93,000 |
| Accountant | AU$ 62,000 |
| Project Engineer | AU$ 87,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | AU$ 80,000 |
| General Manager | AU$ 117,000 |
Tuition & Salary in Sydney
After Perth, let’s consider the cost of tuition in Sydney. The following table consists of the popular universities and their average annual fees.
| University | Annual Cost of Tuition (AU$ ) |
| The University of Sydney | AU$ 50,194 |
| University of New South Wales | AU$ 31,494 |
| University of Technology Sydney | AU$ 22,872 |
| Macquarie University | AU$ 37,665 |
| Western Sydney University | AU$ 32,999 |
| Charles Sturt University | AU$ 32,362 |
Next, for an accurate comparison of Perth vs Sydney cost of living, let us look at the average annual salaries for popular jobs. The average annual salary in Sydney is AU$ 91,278.
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary (AU$ ) |
| Operations Manager | AU$ 91,439 |
| Software Engineer | AU$ 88,000 |
| Project Manager | AU$ 1,09,852 |
| Marketing Manager | AU$ 93,720 |
| Account Manager | AU$ 70,955 |
Conclusion – Perth vs Sydney Cost of Living
After analysing all major expenses, it is quite evident that Sydney is considerably more expensive than Perth. The key to coming ahead of your expenses is budgeting wisely and saving more. It is advisable to verify the amenities and utilities included in your rent to save on the total monthly expenditure. Other than this, try to avail as many discounts and student concessions as possible.
In the end, Perth vs Sydney cost of living is a mere comparison. Choosing the city you wish to live in also depends on your choice of universities, preferences, and career goals. However, if living expenditure is a significant contributor, Perth might be more suitable for you.
FAQs
1. Is it more expensive to live in Sydney or Perth?
The cost of living in Sydney is significantly more than in Perth. Whether you consider housing, commute, groceries or dining out, Sydney costs more in each aspect.
2. Which city has better attractions – Sydney or Perth?
Both Perth and Sydney have lovely beaches and attractions. But Sydney tends to be more crowded, whereas Perth has more scenic aesthetics and isolated surroundings.
3. Which city has a better salary, Perth or Sydney?
The average annual salary in Sydney is AU$ 91,278. On the other hand, Perth has an average annual salary of AU$ 94,985. Thus, Perth has slightly better returns on investment.
Thank you for reading our guide to Perth vs Sydney cost of living! If you enjoyed this blog, check out others on our website –
