A good salary in Sydney for a single person renting independently is generally considered to be $95,000–$120,000 per year after tax — enough to cover median rent, living expenses, and build meaningful savings. For families or couples buying property, combined household incomes of $200,000–$250,000 are increasingly necessary to service a mortgage on a typical Sydney property.
Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city by most measures — median dwelling prices exceed $1.4 million and median weekly rents for a 2-bedroom apartment run at $700–$900+ per week in inner and middle suburbs.
Key Takeaways
- A single person needs approximately $95,000–$120,000 gross to live comfortably in Sydney with savings capacity
- A couple needs approximately $160,000–$220,000 combined to buy property and save
- The average full-time salary in NSW is $104,400/year — Sydney earners are somewhat higher
- Sydney median rent (2-bed apartment): $750–$900/week ($39,000–$46,800/year)
- Earning $100,000 in Sydney puts you at approximately the 65th–70th percentile of NSW earners
Sydney Cost of Living — Single Person Budget
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (2-bed apartment, inner/middle ring) | $3,200–$3,900 | $38,400–$46,800 |
| Groceries | $500–$700 | $6,000–$8,400 |
| Utilities (electricity, gas, internet) | $200–$280 | $2,400–$3,360 |
| Transport (Opal card or car) | $250–$600 | $3,000–$7,200 |
| Health insurance (basic) | $130–$180 | $1,560–$2,160 |
| Dining out / entertainment | $400–$700 | $4,800–$8,400 |
| Personal care / clothing | $200–$350 | $2,400–$4,200 |
| Total (mid-range estimate) | $5,000–$6,800 | $60,000–$81,600 |
After-tax income on a $100,000 salary is approximately $74,000/year — this covers costs at the lower end with moderate savings. On $85,000 (take-home ~$64,000), discretionary spending is limited.
What Different Sydney Salaries Feel Like
| Gross Salary | After-Tax Take-Home | Lifestyle in Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| $65,000 | ~$52,000 ($1,000/wk) | Tight — share housing essential, limited savings |
| $80,000 | ~$61,900 ($1,190/wk) | Manageable in share housing or cheap suburb; little savings |
| $100,000 | ~$74,000 ($1,423/wk) | Comfortable with discipline; renting 1-bed or share; some savings |
| $120,000 | ~$87,000 ($1,673/wk) | Comfortable renting 2-bed; solid savings; starting to consider property |
| $150,000 | ~$107,000 ($2,058/wk) | Good lifestyle; mortgage servicing possible with partner |
| $200,000 | ~$136,000 ($2,615/wk) | High income; comfortable homeownership; strong savings capacity |
After-tax figures based on FY2025–26 ATO tax rates, 2% Medicare levy, no HECS.
Sydney Average Salary vs National Average
| Measure | Sydney / NSW | National |
|---|---|---|
| Average full-time earnings | $104,400/year | $100,568/year |
| Median full-time earnings | ~$88,000/year | ~$84,000/year |
| Minimum wage | $47,627/year | $47,627/year |
Sydney typically pays 3–8% above the national average in equivalent roles, reflecting higher cost of living. However, this premium does not fully offset the housing cost difference — affordability in Sydney remains worse than any other Australian city.
What Income Percentile Is $100,000 in Sydney?
Sydney skews higher than national averages. In NSW:
- $100,000 is approximately the 65th–68th percentile of full-time workers
- $120,000 is approximately the 78th–80th percentile
- $150,000 is approximately the 90th percentile
- $200,000+ is approximately the 96th–97th percentile
See the income percentile calculator for full national and state breakdowns.
Sydney vs Melbourne: Which City Needs a Higher Salary?
| Sydney | Melbourne | |
|---|---|---|
| Median house price | ~$1.4M | ~$900,000 |
| Median 2-bed rent/week | $750–$900 | $600–$750 |
| Comfortable single income | $95,000–$120,000 | $85,000–$105,000 |
| Average full-time earnings | $104,400 (NSW) | $100,200 (VIC) |
Sydney requires approximately 10–15% more income than Melbourne for an equivalent lifestyle, driven almost entirely by higher rents and property prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Sydney?
A single person needs approximately $95,000–$120,000 gross ($74,000–$87,000 after tax) to live comfortably in Sydney — renting independently, covering all expenses, and saving meaningfully. Sharing costs with a partner significantly improves the picture.
Is $80,000 enough to live in Sydney?
$80,000 ($61,900 after tax, ~$1,190/week) is liveable in Sydney but tight if renting alone. Share housing or outer-suburb renting makes it more manageable. Savings capacity is limited. Most people on $80,000 in Sydney are working toward a higher income or relying on a partner’s income.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Sydney?
$100,000 is above average for NSW but does not go as far as it might sound — after tax it is $74,000/year ($1,423/week). In Sydney, median rent for a 2-bedroom apartment consumes roughly half of this take-home. $100,000 is considered a solid salary that affords a comfortable life, though homeownership alone is challenging.
What is the average salary in Sydney?
The average full-time salary in NSW is approximately $104,400/year based on ABS November 2024 data. Sydney metropolitan workers typically earn somewhat above this state average.
Related Guides
- What Is a Good Salary in Australia?
- Good Salary in Melbourne
- Income Percentile Calculator Australia
- Average Salary Australia 2025–26
- $100,000 Salary After Tax Australia
Cost of living figures sourced from Domain, REA Group, ABS Household Expenditure Survey, and NRMA. Figures are estimates and vary by suburb, lifestyle, and household size. This is general information only — for financial advice, speak with a licensed financial adviser.