Denver vs Sydney
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Denver
Sydney
💡 The Verdict
Denver is 19% cheaper than Sydney overall. A $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to $92,161 in Sydney.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Denver (left) vs Sydney (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Denver versus Sydney. Differences shown from Denver perspective.
| Item | Denver | Sydney | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,420/mo | $1,360/mo | +$60.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,900/mo | $1,830/mo | +$70.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,410/mo | $2,350/mo | +$60.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.06 | $4.11 | $-1.05 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.03 | $5.28 | $-1.25 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.89 | $4.18 | $-1.29 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.83 | $7.76 | $-1.93 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.29 | $4.10 | $-0.81 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18.25 | $20.28 | $-2.03 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Denver has the same purchasing power as $92,161 in Sydney.
Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $61,034 in Denver.
Reading These Numbers: Denver (118) vs Sydney (145)
Denver at 118 is 18% above the US average, while Sydney at 145 is 45% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Denver, the composite index of 118 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 152, followed by groceries (102), utilities (94), transportation (103), and healthcare (104). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,900/mo in Denver and $1,830/mo in Sydney, the annual rent difference is approximately $840.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $4,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $57,000.0 difference in median home prices between Denver and Sydney translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Denver vs Sydney
Choosing between Denver and Sydney involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
When weighing Denver against Sydney, think beyond the composite index. Your personal savings rate, retirement timeline, and family size all influence which cost categories dominate your budget. Someone spending sixty percent of income on housing and childcare will experience these two cities very differently than a single renter whose largest variable expense is dining out. Model your own spending breakdown against the category indices above for the most realistic comparison.