City Comparison

Racine vs Sydney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Racine

Wisconsin
88
Below Average
$126,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$57,700
Median Income

Sydney

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

The Verdict

16.2%

Living in Racine costs 16.2% less than Sydney. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Racine, you would need $89,489 in Sydney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
66
Racine
142
Sydney
Groceries
97
Racine
95
Sydney
Utilities
94
Racine
98
Sydney
Transportation
90
Racine
108
Sydney
Healthcare
111
Racine
72
Sydney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Racine has the same purchasing power as $89,489 in Sydney.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $62,857 in Racine.

Living in Racine vs Sydney

Housing Costs

Racine's housing index of 66 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $126,000 vs $825,000. The $699,000 difference in home prices means roughly $45,432 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Racine compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $1,025.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Racine and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Racine vs $451/month in Sydney. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Racine and 98 in Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Racine vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 111 in Racine and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 39-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $57,700 in Racine and $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,568 and $57,143 respectively. Racine residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,346/month to housing in Racine vs $1,400/month in Sydney. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/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 76 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Racine is 16.2% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Racine has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,489 in Sydney, based on the cost of living difference.
Racine's housing index is 66 with median homes at $126,000, while Sydney's is 142 with median homes at $825,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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