Cost of living: London vs Sydney
London is about 1% cheaper than Sydney overall. Below: how the two cities compare across rent, groceries, transport, utilities and dining, with indicative monthly budgets.
Cost indices (New York = 100)
Indicative monthly costs (USD)
| London | Sydney | |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, centre) | $2,700 | $2,400 |
| Single person / month (excl. rent) | $1,200 | $1,250 |
| Family of four / month (excl. rent) | $4,300 | $4,600 |
London
High transport and utility costs; groceries cheaper than US peers.
Sydney
High wages and high costs; groceries and dining are notably expensive.
Frequently asked questions
Is London more expensive than Sydney?
London is about 1% cheaper than Sydney overall. These are indicative figures (New York = 100 for the overall index); actual costs depend on neighbourhood and lifestyle.
How much rent should I budget in London vs Sydney?
A central one-bedroom runs roughly $2,700/month in London and $2,400/month in Sydney (indicative).
What's a realistic monthly budget for a family of four?
Excluding rent, a family of four spends roughly $4,300/month in London and $4,600/month in Sydney (indicative).
Cost-of-living figures are indicative planning estimates (New York = 100 for indices; monthly amounts in USD), last reviewed 2026-06-21. Actual costs vary by neighbourhood, lifestyle and exchange rates.