Melbourne and Sydney are both the most famous and largest cities in Australia, but they offer different lifestyles. Sydney is known for its iconic harbour, beaches, and sunshine, while Melbourne attracts people with its arts, culture, laneways, coffee, sports, and distinct seasons. Sydney vs Melbourne, the talk for international students always focuses on the weather, nature, livability, cost of living, universities, and cultural &social vibe. From the paper, find your answer on which Australian city is better for you.
Sydney vs Melbourne: Weather
Sydney’s weather is warmer than Melbourne’s. If you like hotter weather, choose Sydney. The coldest time in Sydney is in the single digits; most winters are above 10 degrees. The ski resorts in the Snowy Mountains are closer to Sydney.
Melbourne has distinct seasons and is known for “four seasons in one day”. While the climate is slightly colder than Sydney’s, there are no concerns about the cold, as temperatures rarely drop below freezing. Thus, living in Melbourne is more comfortable for those who prefer a more temperate climate.
Sydney vs Melbourne: Attractions
If you are wondering about a mixed experience beyond academic journey, Melbourne vs Sydney, which city is better for you to explore?
Compared to Melbourne’s, Sydney’s CBD is larger and has more natural attractions, including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, and more. Sydney is also known for its beautiful beaches, and there are great beaches within a 30-minute drive of the city, such as Bondi, Manly, and more. In comparison, Melbourne’s beaches are rather ordinary. But Melbourne has its own charm. If you are an enthusiast of the city’s cultural attractions, diving into Melbourne is your perfect lifestyle. The most famous activities in Melbourne are arts, coffee, street cultures, and a vibrant social vibe.
Sydney vs Melbourne: Cost of Living
Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive cities to live in for international students in Australia. Compared to Melbourne, living in Sydney is more expensive, so if you are considering the budget only, Melbourne is the better option for you to live in. Below are listed the indices differences of Melbourne vs Sydney, with data updated from NUMBEO, so you can explore in detail.
| Indices Difference |
|---|
| Cost of Living in Melbourne is 4.8% lower than in Sydney (without rent) |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in Melbourne is 12.6% lower than in Sydney |
| Rent Prices in Melbourne are 26.1% lower than in Sydney |
| Restaurant Prices in Melbourne are 0.7% lower than in Sydney |
| Groceries Prices in Melbourne are 0.5% higher than in Sydney |
| Local Purchasing Power in Melbourne is 21.0% higher than in Sydney |
Data Updated from NUMBEO.
Rent or real estate and transport costs are more expensive in Sydney than Melbourne, where nearly 1/4 of your income will be spent on rent. Joe Hockey, the former Treasurer of Australia, famously said, “If young Australians are struggling to buy a house, get a job that pays better”. Unless you owned your property before the year 2000, buying a house in Sydney for a single-income family can be difficult. Many people are leaving to live in other Australian cities because of Sydney’s high cost of living. Sydney and Melbourne are two of Australia’s major study cities, with some differences in cost of living, but both are relatively high overall.
Below is a detailed comparison of the cost of living in Sydney and Melbourne, including accommodation, transportation, groceries, restaurants, sports, leisure, and self-care.
Accommodation Costs
| Rent Per Month | Sydney | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 3,269.85 A$ | 2,223.57 A$ |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 2,255.23 A$ | 1,884.28 A$ |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 6,547.21 A$ | 4,251.50 A$ |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 3,752.68 A$ | 2,766.65 A$ |
Sydney vs Melbourne: Student Housing Costs
If you are living in Sydney as an international student, the monthly rent for a student hostel ranges from AUD$600 to AUD$1000. Shared flats are also relatively expensive, especially in the city centre or areas close to schools. Rents may be cheaper if you live a little further away from the city centre but in an area with good transport links.
Recommended Student Accommodation in Sydney:
Melbourne vs Sydney: Monthly rental prices for student accommodation usually range between AUD$500 and AUD$900, slightly lower than in Sydney. Rents for shared flats also vary depending on location and type of housing, but are generally lower than in Sydney. Melbourne’s suburbs are more affordable, with one-bedroom flats renting for around AUD$260 per week and two-bedroom flats for around AUD$340.
Recommended Student Accommodation in Melbourne:
If you want to study in Australia and renting an apartment is a big problem, uhomes.com offers a vast range of affordable and comfortable student accommodation for Australian students at the cheapest student flat rentals! You can rent luxury or budget suites, studio flats, and private and shared rooms with various amenities at student accommodations in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, and Brisbane.
Transport Costs
| Transportation | Sydney | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 5.00 A$ | 5.30 A$ |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 217.39 A$ | 185.00 A$ |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 6.90 A$ | 5.50 A$ |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 5.00 A$ | 3.00 A$ |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 85.00 A$ | 39.48 A$ |
Sydney
Bus and train rides are relatively expensive, with monthly expenses likely to be around AU$100-150.
Melbourne
Bus and train fares are relatively low, and monthly expenses may range from AUD$80 to AUD$120. Students can get some discounts and concessions by purchasing a public transport card.
Here’s a comparison of other costs in Sydney and Melbourne
Groceries Costs
| Markets | Sydney | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 2.48 A$ | 2.20 A$ |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 4.20 A$ | 3.95 A$ |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 3.50 A$ | 3.33 A$ |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 6.10 A$ | 5.98 A$ |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 17.10 A$ | 14.11 A$ |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 12.58 A$ | 12.99 A$ |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 21.17 A$ | 21.02 A$ |
| Apples (1kg) | 4.84 A$ | 4.53 A$ |
| Banana (1kg) | 4.26 A$ | 3.96 A$ |
| Oranges (1kg) | 4.53 A$ | 3.80 A$ |
| Tomato (1kg) | 6.50 A$ | 5.33 A$ |
| Potato (1kg) | 3.70 A$ | 3.35 A$ |
| Onion (1kg) | 3.40 A$ | 3.20 A$ |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 3.38 A$ | 3.24 A$ |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 2.21 A$ | 2.15 A$ |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 20.00 A$ | 18.50 A$ |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 7.19 A$ | 6.90 A$ |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 8.43 A$ | 8.05 A$ |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 50.00 A$ | 45.00 A$ |
Restaurant Costs
| Restaurants | Sydney | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 24.00 A$ | 25.00 A$ |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 120.00 A$ | 115.00 A$ |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 15.00 A$ | 15.00 A$ |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 10.32 A$ | 11.00 A$ |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 12.00 A$ | 10.00 A$ |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 5.00 A$ | 5.23 A$ |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.80 A$ | 4.00 A$ |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.14 A$ | 3.52 A$ |
Sports And Leisure Costs
| Sports And Leisure | Sydney | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 88.60 A$ | 80.86 A$ |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 29.16 A$ | 22.71 A$ |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 24.00 A$ | 22.00 A$ |
Clothing And Shoes Costs
| Clothing And Shoes | Sydney | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) | 108.96 A$ | 119.04 A$ |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) | 89.27 A$ | 77.69 A$ |
| 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 163.82 A$ | 161.75 A$ |
| 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes | 196.58 A$ | 173.62 A$ |
Sydney vs Melbourne: Transport
Urban planning in Sydney can be non-existent. Driving in Sydney is a nightmare, and Parramatta Road, the main artery from the city to the west, is always jammed. You must rely on a fragmented bus network in Sydney, with bus lanes only working at peak times. Off-peak bus lanes tend to become roadside car parks, making the traffic worse.
Melbourne’s traffic situation is ten or even 100 times better than Sydney’s. The highway system works well, the tram network is very efficient, everywhere within a 10km radius of the city is accessible, and there is not as much traffic during rush hour.
Sydney has a train to the airport (with an appropriate surcharge) while travelling to Melbourne Airport requires a bus, taxi or car (Melbourne has two airports, Tullamarine and Avalon, so don’t go to the wrong one!). It also has more international flights connecting to the US and Asia.
Sydney vs Melbourne: Social Vibes
Both cities are multi-ethnic, and you’ll find people from almost every part of the world. Sydney is more crowded than Melbourne. There is a stereotype that Melbourne people are friendlier than Sydney people. Sydneysiders are more outwardly orientated than people in Melbourne. For social living, if you are someone who is pursuing a lovely nightlife, Melbourne is a better choice for you than Sydney.
Sydney vs Melbourne: Industry and Employment
Sydney has more startups and tech companies like Google and Atlassian (Australia’s enterprise software company). The job market in Sydney is better than in Melbourne for IT workers. Of course, it also depends on what part of IT you are explicitly working in. More banks and financial services organisations in Sydney, with the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), and most banks are headquartered in Sydney, except for the National Australia Bank (NAB) and ANZ in Melbourne. Melbourne’s public healthcare system works better and is better organised. There are also more allied health (dietitian) jobs in public healthcare.
Sydney vs Melbourne: Leisure, Entertainment, and Food
Melbourne has a much wider choice of food, bars, and pubs. Compared to Sydney, Melbourne’s mid-range food is much better than its Sydney counterpart, and the corresponding restaurants are more popular, so remember to book a place in advance for your meal. Melbourne is closer to the wine regions, with the Dandenong Ranges and Mornington Peninsula within easy reach and the Yarra Valley about 1.5 hours from Melbourne’s CBD. Sydney’s city centre is about 3 hours from the Hunter Valley, the other premium wine region, and Orange and Mudgee are about 4 hours away.
Melbourne has a famous coffee culture, and the coffee is much better within a 10-kilometre radius of the CBD. It’s not so easy to find good coffee if you live outside the tram zone. Sydney’s coffee is average, but there are some excellent places to get a coffee. It’s spread out in a few smaller CBDs outside the CBD, such as Chatswood and Parramatta; unfortunately, most cafes stop opening by 3 pm.
Melbourne is also known as the ‘Sports Capital’. It has many sporting activities: cricket, football, rugby, tennis, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Formula 1, and the Motorcycle Grand Prix (Phillip Island). Sydney prefers the National Rugby League, while Melbourne loves the Australian Football League.
Sydney can be considered a cultural vacuum compared to Melbourne, with most significant shows/musicals coming to Melbourne first (and, in some cases, being the only stop in Australia). If Sydney didn’t have that magnificent Opera House, cultural events would be even more sparse.
Melbourne has the third-largest comedy festival in the world and the oldest and most prestigious film festival in the region. Live music venues are still all over the place, and if you can’t find exciting things to do in Melbourne, you’ll be even less likely to do so elsewhere. Melbourne has a more decadent nightlife than Sydney.
Summary of Sydney vs Melbourne
Sydney has more beautiful skin, and Melbourne has a more exciting soul. Which city do you think is more interesting, more soulful, and better for Australian residents? In conclusion, the choice between Sydney and Melbourne ultimately hinges on personal preferences and lifestyle priorities. Sydney captivates with its stunning harbour, iconic landmarks, and vibrant beach culture, offering a dynamic urban experience combined with natural beauty. On the other hand, Melbourne is characterised by its rich cultural scene, renowned food and coffee culture, and consistently high quality of life, cementing its status as Australia’s cultural capital. Both cities provide robust employment opportunities, excellent education systems, and diverse neighbourhoods suited to various tastes and needs.
FAQ
Is Sydney a better city than Melbourne?
Sydney is celebrated for its iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, coupled with breathtaking beaches and a generally warmer climate. Its bustling cosmopolitan vibes and stunning natural scenery create a unique blend of urban and outdoor living. On the other hand, Melbourne is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, diverse culinary landscape, and rich cultural festivals.
Is Sydney or Melbourne richer?
When comparing the wealth of Sydney and Melbourne, it’s important to consider a range of economic indicators beyond simple measures of gross domestic product (GDP). Sydney, often dubbed Australia’s financial capital, boasts a higher GDP and a concentration of headquarters for major corporations and financial institutions. Its harbour-side real estate is among the most expensive in the world, reflecting a substantial aggregation of wealth within its metropolitan borders.
What is the safest city in Australia?
Sydney, the largest city in Australia, takes the top spot as the safest city in the country. With its iconic landmarks, beautiful beaches, and bustling city life, Sydney offers a safe and secure environment for its residents and visitors.
Which is colder, Melbourne or Sydney?
Sydney is a bit hotter. Average daily temperatures are slightly higher in all months except January. Although Sydney has much higher rainfall (as the rainfall tends to be short, heavy downpours rather than a week of consecutive cloudy weather), it also gets a few hundred more hours of sunshine per year.
Is shopping better in Sydney or Melbourne?
The outlets in Melbourne are much better. DFO South Wharf and Spencer Street Outlets (above the train station) are not only better than the Sydney outlets; they are also right in the city, so much easier to get to.
