City Comparison

Glendale vs Sydney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Glendale

Arizona
113
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

Sydney

Australia
105
Average
$825,000
Median Home
$2,050/mo
Median Rent
$60,000
Median Income

The Verdict

7.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.6%, with Sydney being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to $69,690 in Sydney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
119
Glendale
142
Sydney
Groceries
103
Glendale
95
Sydney
Utilities
98
Glendale
98
Sydney
Transportation
103
Glendale
108
Sydney
Healthcare
94
Glendale
72
Sydney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Glendale has the same purchasing power as $69,690 in Sydney.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $80,714 in Glendale.

Living in Glendale vs Sydney

Housing Costs

Glendale's housing index of 119 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $825,000. The $420,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,300 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $650.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale vs $451/month in Sydney. Sydney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Glendale and 98 in Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Glendale and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $70,100 in Glendale and $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 and $57,143 respectively. Glendale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,636/month to housing in Glendale vs $1,400/month in Sydney. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sydney is 7.6% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,690 in Sydney, based on the cost of living difference.
Glendale's housing index is 119 with median homes at $405,000, while Sydney's is 142 with median homes at $825,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases