City comparison · Rent & affordability
Sydney vs Melbourne: rent and cost of living
Median rent in Sydney (A$2,900) is 26% higher than in Melbourne (A$2,300). But raw rent isn't the whole picture — what you earn locally determines how much pressure that rent actually puts on your budget.
Sydney
Confidence: medium
Melbourne
Confidence: medium
What renters actually spend (% of income)
Sydney
Melbourne
These are what renters actually pay — not recommended targets.
Salary needed for median rent (30% rule)
Sydney requires A$24,000 more per year to comfortably cover median rent.
Affordability verdict
Melbourne is slightly easier on the wallet. The median renter spends 32% of income on rent there, versus 35% in Sydney — a 3-point gap that compounds over time. Median rent is A$2,300 in Melbourne versus A$2,900 in Sydney. Both lower rents and relatively stronger local incomes contribute to Melbourne's affordability advantage.
Frequently asked questions
Is Melbourne cheaper than Sydney to rent in?
Yes — Melbourne is more affordable relative to local incomes. The median renter in Melbourne spends 32% of gross income on rent, versus 35% in Sydney.
What salary do you need to rent in Sydney vs Melbourne?
To comfortably afford median rent at the 30% rule, you need A$116,000/year in Sydney and A$92,000/year in Melbourne.
What is the average rent in Sydney compared to Melbourne?
Median 1-bedroom rent is A$2,900/month in Sydney and A$2,300/month in Melbourne. Budget options (bottom 10%) start at A$1,800 and A$1,500 respectively.
Explore Sydney in detail
Explore Melbourne in detail
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