It’s near enough everyone’s dream to up sticks and move to somewhere as divine as Sydney Australia! It’s depicted as living the perfect lifestyle. It’s got sun, sea, sand and that very laid back lifestyle that every 9-5er currently living a life of hustle and bustle craves! What people don’t often take into consideration is the cost of living in such a desired location. Is the cost of living in Sydney better than living at home? Will you benefit more from living in Sydney? These are all questions which need to be answered before even stepping foot on the plane, so to make life easier for you I have given you a brief look on the cost of living in Sydney;
The average cost of a pack of cigarettes
Smoking has always been an expensive habit and in Sydney it is no different. Expect to pay around $6 – $7 for a pack of 25 cigarettes and around $10 for a pack of 40. Of course it is entirely dependant on both brand and store. I recently picked up a pack of Malboro for just under $16. Those living on a tight budget might want to consider kicking the habit before moving to Sydney!
The average cost of alcohol
We all love a drink or five so let’s take a look at how much drinking sets you back in Sydney. A 24 pack of 375ml bottles will cost around $35 to $40 whereas the average 285ml glass of beer in a bar would set you back anywhere between $4.50 – $6.00. A 30ml shot of scotch will cost you around $6. So alcohol is a pretty similar cost to that of the U.K. Once again it’s entirely dependant on what brand you buy and where you buy it from.
The average cost of a meal out
The price for this really varies dependant on your tastes. If you head on over to Sean’s Panorama on Campbell Parade you can actually get a three course meal for $40! They even let you bring your own wine from home. Another great yet inexpensive place to dine is Lime & Lemongrass which is a beautiful Thai restaurant found in the Kings Cross area and offers meals from around only $15. On average it’s best to assume your meal will cost around $30 wherever you go, but there are little gems out there that aren’t as expensive.
Everyone’s favourite fast food restaurants such as Mc Donalds and KFC will cost you anywhere between $5 to $10 for one of their tastier meals. Food in a café would cost anywhere from $8 – $15.
The average cost of living accommodation
This is entirely dependant on what part of Sydney you are looking to live in. Much like anywhere in the world, certain areas are often more expensive than others and it will cost you a whole lot more to live in the urban side of Sydney. It also worth noting that pretty much everywhere in Sydney charges by the week. On average for a 1 bedroom apartment it will cost you anywhere between $250 to even $400 per week. A 2 bedroom apartment will cost around $300 to $500 a week whereas a 2 bedroom house will cost between $300 to $400 per week. Of course you also have to consider your utility bills which are totally dependant how much you use. The average electricity and gas bill is around $5 to $15 per week and the average telephone line rental is around $30 per week.
The average cost of a haircut
Of course you’re not just going to move to Sydney and let your hair get out of control, you’ll more than likely need it trimmed every now and then and for women it can be a lot more expensive than men. Expect to pay between $10 to even $60 for a haircut.
The average cost of owning a car
When living in Sydney you don’t really need a car due to everything you need always being a short walk away and the ample amounts of public transport dotted about. Of course with that being said a car can come in handy when travelling across to different parts of Australia! It will cost you around $50 to $80 per week to pay for petrol, car insurance and general maintenance.
Living costs vary dependant on your lifestyle. Obviously if you smoke, eat out all the time and decide to buy a car then your living expenses will more than likely double. The price of things may seem a little steep at times but you’ll be living in sunny Sydney, where a beach is only a walk away and ferry rides are a normal means of public transport! It has actually been surveyed by the Australian Government and found that people living in not just Sydney but all of Australia, spend much less in terms of living costs than that of the United States and United Kingdom!
