Sydney vs Vienna
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Sydney
Vienna
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 19.3%, with Vienna being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Sydney has equivalent purchasing power to $62,857 in Vienna.
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 $62,857 in Vienna.
Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $89,489 in Sydney.
Living in Sydney vs Vienna
Housing Costs
Sydney's housing index of 142 is higher Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $825,000 vs $395,000. The $430,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,948 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,050/mo in Sydney compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $775.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Sydney and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Sydney vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Sydney and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Sydney vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 72 in Sydney and 82 in Vienna. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,143 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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