😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,759 in Sydney versus $2,198 in Penshurst, NSW.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,168 in Sydney versus $3,226 in Penshurst, NSW.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,578 in Sydney versus $4,254 in Penshurst, NSW.
😐Living in Sydney is roughly 26% more expensive than Penshurst, NSW, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Sydney106% above, Penshurst, NSW64% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sydney
Penshurst, NSW
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.49A$22.98
$16.51A$23.00
-0.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.9A$110
$77.8A$108
1.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.93A$13.84
$9.84A$13.71
0.91%
Cappuccino
$3.38A$4.71
$3.40A$4.74
-0.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55A$3.55
$2.57A$3.59
-0.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97A$2.74
$2.12A$2.96
-7.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.67A$9.30
$6.44A$8.97
3.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.35A$10.24
$6.93A$9.65
6.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sydney
Penshurst, NSW
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.63A$2.28
$1.50A$2.08
8.67%
White Bread(500g)
$2.72A$3.80
$2.45A$3.41
11.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.28A$3.17
$1.97A$2.75
15.74%
Eggs
$5.04A$7.03
$4.36A$6.08
15.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.92A$12.43
$8.47A$11.81
5.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.34A$11.63
$8.52A$11.87
-2.11%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.12A$19.68
$13.92A$19.39
1.44%
Apples(1kg)
$3.24A$4.51
$3.34A$4.66
-2.99%
Banana(1kg)
$2.70A$3.76
$2.71A$3.78
-0.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.13A$4.36
$2.85A$3.98
9.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.41A$6.15
$4.02A$5.60
9.70%
Potato(1kg)
$2.44A$3.41
$2.42A$3.37
0.83%
Onion(1kg)
$2.33A$3.25
$2.20A$3.07
5.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.21A$3.08
$2.08A$2.91
6.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25A$1.74
$1.58A$2.20
-20.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$32.36A$45.10
$31.09A$43.32
4.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.11A$19.67
$14.37A$20.03
-1.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.66A$6.49
$4.69A$6.53
-0.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.33A$7.43
$5.33A$7.42
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sydney
Penshurst, NSW
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.28A$4.57
$2.52A$3.52
30.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$141A$196
$65.1A$90.8
116.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.99A$5.56
$3.60A$5.01
10.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.93A$4.08
$1.55A$2.17
89.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$52.5A$73.1
$33.70A$46.97
55.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.25A$1.74
$1.17A$1.63
6.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.4KA$41.0K
$29.0KA$40.4K
1.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7KA$31.6K
$22.7KA$31.7K
-0.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sydney
Penshurst, NSW
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$204A$284
$182A$253
12.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.13A$33.62
$27.94A$38.94
-13.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.9A$72.3
$52.9A$73.7
-1.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sydney
Penshurst, NSW
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.1A$85.2
$48.21A$67.2
26.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.84A$29.04
$15.57A$21.70
33.85%
Cinema Ticket
$15.71A$21.90
$13.05A$18.19
20.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sydney
Penshurst, NSW
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,074A$2,890
$1,648A$2,297
25.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$18.9KA$26.4K
$12.1KA$16.8K
56.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sydney
Penshurst, NSW
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.9A$102
$68.8A$95.9
5.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.1A$81.0
$51.4A$71.7
12.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$108A$151
$99.7A$139
8.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133A$186
$109A$152
21.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sydney
Penshurst, NSW
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,194A$3,057
$1,264A$1,762
73.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,491A$2,077
$1,083A$1,509
37.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,416A$6,154
$1,981A$2,760
122.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,626A$3,660
$1,701A$2,371
54.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$13.4KA$18.6K
$6,605A$9,204
102.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$7,589A$10.6K
$5,854A$8,158
29.62%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sydney
Penshurst, NSW
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,193A$5,843
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.34
6.34
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sydney: May 31, 2026
Last update for Penshurst, NSW: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,194 in Sydney and $1,264 in Penshurst, NSW. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $79.0 in Sydney vs $78.0 in Penshurst, NSW for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $349 vs $341 per month, with Penshurst, NSW cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Sydney vs Penshurst, NSW: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Penshurst, NSW cheaper than Sydney?
Penshurst, NSW is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Getting Around, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 26% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $4,138 in Sydney and $3,297 in Penshurst, NSW to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Sydney and Penshurst, NSW?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,194 in Sydney versus $1,264 in Penshurst, NSW. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Sydney vs Penshurst, NSW?
All in, you'll spend $2,759 per month in Sydney versus $2,198 in Penshurst, NSW – a 26% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Penshurst, NSW runs roughly 116% less than in Sydney. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $2,500 a realistic budget for Sydney or Penshurst, NSW?
At $2,198 in Penshurst, NSW versus $2,759 in Sydney, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Penshurst, NSW but tight or insufficient in Sydney. The gap between the two cities makes Penshurst, NSW the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Sydney or Penshurst, NSW?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Sydney or Penshurst, NSW?
Safety-wise, Sydney and Penshurst, NSW are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Penshurst, NSW gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Sydney. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.