Sydney vs Vancouver
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Sydney
Vancouver
The Verdict
Sydney is 13.9% less expensive than Vancouver overall. A household earning $75,000 in Sydney would need approximately $87,143 in Vancouver 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 $87,143 in Vancouver.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vancouver equals $64,549 in Sydney.
Living in Sydney vs Vancouver
Housing Costs
Sydney's housing index of 142 is lower Vancouver's 163, translating to median home prices of $825,000 vs $525,000. The $300,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,500 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,050/mo in Sydney compared to $1,650/mo in Vancouver, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Sydney and 104 in Vancouver. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Sydney vs $494/month in Vancouver. Sydney offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Sydney and 87 in Vancouver. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Sydney vs $348 in Vancouver. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 72 in Sydney and 103 in Vancouver. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-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 $79,300 in Vancouver. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,143 and $65,000 respectively. Vancouver residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,400/month to housing in Sydney vs $1,850/month in Vancouver. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Vancouver, median rent of $1,650/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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