Sydney vs Tampa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Sydney
Tampa
The Verdict
Tampa is 2.9% less expensive than Sydney overall. A household earning $75,000 in Sydney would need approximately $72,857 in Tampa to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Sydney has the same purchasing power as $72,857 in Tampa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tampa equals $77,206 in Sydney.
Living in Sydney vs Tampa
Housing Costs
Sydney's housing index of 142 is higher Tampa's 108, translating to median home prices of $825,000 vs $340,000. The $485,000 difference in home prices means roughly $31,524 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,050/mo in Sydney compared to $1,700/mo in Tampa, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Sydney and 103 in Tampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Sydney vs $489/month in Tampa. 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 Sydney and 96 in Tampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Sydney vs $384 in Tampa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 72 in Sydney and 97 in Tampa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,000 in Sydney and $52,594 in Tampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,143 and $51,563 respectively. Sydney residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,400/month to housing in Sydney vs $1,227/month in Tampa. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Tampa, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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