Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Warrnambool and Sydney

For one person, living is cheaper in Warrnambool: $2,544 a month against $3,274 in Sydney, rent and utilities included – about $8,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Warrnambool, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Warrnambool
🇦🇺 Australia
$2,544
/mo nomad
Sydney
🇦🇺 Australia
$3,274
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Warrnambool and in Sydney

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Warrnambool and in Sydney actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,544 per month in Warrnambool vs $3,274 in Sydney, rent included.

  • Warrnambool $2,544
  • Sydney $3,274

A couple spends around $3,638 per month in Warrnambool vs $4,873 in Sydney, rent included.

  • Warrnambool $3,638
  • Sydney $4,873

A family of three spends $4,733 per month in Warrnambool vs $6,471 in Sydney, rent included.

  • Warrnambool $4,733
  • Sydney $6,471

Warrnambool is about 22% cheaper than Sydney, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Warrnambool and Sydney sit above the global median – Warrnambool by 88%, Sydney by 142%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Warrnambool
Sydney
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.21 A$24.58
$17.27 A$24.67
-0.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$83.3 A$119
$90.9 A$130
-8.29%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.35 A$13.35
$11.87 A$16.96
-21.23%
Cappuccino
$4.15 A$5.92
$4.09 A$5.85
1.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 A$4.51
$2.80 A$3.99
12.86%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 A$3.68
$2.18 A$3.11
18.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$9.76 A$13.94
$8.25 A$11.77
18.30%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.24 A$11.77
$6.99 A$9.98
17.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Warrnambool
Sydney
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.57 A$2.24
$1.68 A$2.39
-6.55%
White Bread (500g)
$2.97 A$4.24
$2.88 A$4.12
3.13%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.56 A$3.65
$2.35 A$3.36
8.94%
Eggs
$4.69 A$6.70
$5.39 A$7.70
-12.99%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.71 A$15.30
$11.06 A$15.80
-3.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.02 A$14.31
$8.92 A$12.74
12.33%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.89 A$21.26
$16.48 A$23.54
-9.65%
Apples (1kg)
$4.05 A$5.79
$4.14 A$5.92
-2.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 A$2.43
$3.22 A$4.60
-47.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.22 A$4.60
$3.35 A$4.78
-3.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.80 A$6.85
$4.34 A$6.20
10.60%
Potato (1kg)
$3.01 A$4.30
$3.38 A$4.83
-10.95%
Onion (1kg)
$2.55 A$3.64
$2.43 A$3.47
4.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.51 A$3.58
$2.37 A$3.38
5.91%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.62 A$2.31
$1.17 A$1.67
38.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$44.83 A$64.0
$44.01 A$62.9
1.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.43 A$17.76
$14.23 A$20.33
-12.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$5.56 A$7.94
$4.14 A$5.91
34.30%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.19 A$7.41
$4.39 A$6.26
18.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Warrnambool
Sydney
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.72 A$3.89
$3.08 A$4.40
-11.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$83.9 A$120
$152 A$217
-44.72%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.58 A$6.54
$3.72 A$5.31
23.12%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.38 A$1.98
$1.79 A$2.55
-22.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.49 A$43.54
$41.82 A$59.7
-27.09%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 A$1.79
$1.44 A$2.06
-13.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.9K A$41.3K
$29.6K A$42.3K
-2.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K A$37.0K
$27.5K A$39.3K
-5.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Warrnambool
Sydney
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$233 A$332
$262 A$374
-11.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.40 A$40.55
$28.69 A$40.98
-1.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.0 A$81.4
$58.0 A$82.9
-1.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Warrnambool
Sydney
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.5 A$80.7
$74.9 A$107
-24.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.48 A$24.96
$23.21 A$33.14
-24.69%
Cinema Ticket
$17.62 A$25.17
$17.70 A$25.28
-0.45%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Warrnambool
Sydney
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,420 A$3,456
$2,424 A$3,461
-0.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$30.1K A$43.0K
$33.3K A$47.6K
-9.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Warrnambool
Sydney
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$79.2 A$113
$78.3 A$112
1.25%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.0 A$72.9
$69.1 A$98.7
-26.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$49.69 A$71.0
$112 A$160
-55.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$134 A$191
$126 A$180
6.43%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Warrnambool
Sydney
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,412 A$2,017
$2,602 A$3,715
-45.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,208 A$1,725
$1,792 A$2,559
-32.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,273 A$3,246
$5,247 A$7,493
-56.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,789 A$2,555
$3,196 A$4,565
-44.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,883 A$8,402
$13.6K A$19.4K
-56.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,959 A$7,082
$8,711 A$12.4K
-43.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Warrnambool
Sydney
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,347 A$1,924
$4,107 A$5,865
-67.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.87
6.02
-19.10%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Warrnambool: October 31, 2026

Last update for Sydney: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Warrnambool
$1.2K
Sydney
$1.8K 48.4% $584
Groceries & Markets
Warrnambool
$375
Sydney
$375 0% $0.1
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Warrnambool
$318
Sydney
$348 9.5% $30
Eating Out
Warrnambool
$304
Sydney
$298 1.9% $5.7
Clothing & Footwear
Warrnambool
$141
Sydney
$174 22.8% $32
Getting Around
Warrnambool
$106
Sydney
$177 66.3% $70
Sport & Entertainment
Warrnambool
$92
Sydney
$110 20.2% $19

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,412 in Warrnambool versus $2,602 in Sydney. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Sydney are about 3 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $83 in Warrnambool versus $91 in Sydney. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $375 vs $375 – making Warrnambool the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇦🇺 Warrnambool
🇦🇺 Sydney
🕒 Local time
22:43 10:43 PM
22:43 10:43 PM
Same time as Warrnambool
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
29,284
4,840,600
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to AUD – Australian Dollar Converter

Australian Dollar exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 1.43 AUD (1 AUD = 0.7 USD). 1 EUR = 1.6 AUD (1 AUD = 0.625 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Warrnambool Sydney 930 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Warrnambool
  • Sydney

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Warrnambool vs Sydney: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Warrnambool and in Sydney compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,544 in Warrnambool, $3,274 in Sydney – Warrnambool comes out roughly 22% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in transport.
What salary covers living expenses in Warrnambool compared to Sydney?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,816 per month in Warrnambool and $4,912 in Sydney. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Warrnambool and Sydney?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Warrnambool, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,412 there versus $2,602 in Sydney.
Which city is more expensive overall: Warrnambool or Sydney?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,544 in Warrnambool and $3,274 in Sydney. That makes Warrnambool about 22% cheaper.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Warrnambool and Sydney?
Kindergarten costs $2,420 per month in Warrnambool and $2,424 in Sydney. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Warrnambool, where all-in costs run around $2,544, than in Sydney at $3,274. In Warrnambool it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sydney it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Warrnambool and Sydney?
It depends on your priorities. Sydney has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,544 in Warrnambool to $3,274 in Sydney. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Warrnambool or Sydney safer for residents?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
How do I decide between Warrnambool and Sydney?
If budget matters most, go with Warrnambool. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sydney makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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