jimcz

After having lived about 1 year in Sydney (and before for 2 years in London) my conclusion was that living in Sydney was more expensive. However, after googling some websites I was surprised that they say something different.

What is your observation please?

Cost of Living Comparison Between Sydney, Australia And London, United Kingdom

Sydney is 15% cheaper than London. Updated Aug 2014 - Cost of Living.

Beoz

London slightly more expensive.

Thread closed

Amazulu

roughly the same

Buzzy--Bee

I have to say though that at my current stage of life, given the option, if costs were roughly equal I would choose Sydney!

BB

carolinephillips

Doesn't a lot of it depend on personal circumstances? For me, Sydney is way more expensive due to all the dental and medical bills. I don't drive much so don't benefit from cheaper petrol, and the only time I go into the city is by train for a medical appointment. Rental was also much more expensive, but we have bought a better house than we could have had in the UK.

Dreamy

Yes.

Just like a move from one part of the UK to another, money will buy more or less and you may earn more or less - whether those two factors balance each other out or not will determine if you're better or worse off.

All the rest is just rubbish headlines, using a meaningless exchange rate to work out if something is more or less expensive.

For us, Australia (didn't live in London, don't live in Sydney) is much cheaper because Himself earns WAYYYYYYYYYYYY more than he did in the UK.

For others, the situation is completely different. Make your own mind up on your own circumstances.

Brian Clough down under

Agreed.

It's fairly similar I would say, except that in my field, I get paid much more in Sydney than I would back in London, or anywhere in England. It's almost 7 pounds for a pint in Sydney (!!!) but I do get more income. Swings and roundabouts.

Most places north of about Northampton are much better value in every way, in comparison to the south east.

NigelWaring

Once you get to know somewhere it will be cheaper. Didn't take us long to find which shops have quality stuff at bargain prices. Generally the more affluent areas have the best prices because the kind of people who live there are quite fussy and will hunt around for better prices, they've been doing it all their lives and that is a contributing factor to being able to afford to live in the more affluent areas. Always try to shop in areas where both big supermarkets are represented plus Aldi if possible, in areas where there's only one of them prices tend to be higher.

Beoz

These comparisons are always stupid.

In this link, Singapore has apparently now acquired the No. 1 spot on earth. Sounds like they are basing it on the price of cars, which on top of the silly purchase price, you pay some crazy tax, often 3 times the price of the car. But who needs a car in Singapore anyway. Public transport is dead cheap and very efficient. Many people get a taxi to and from work. 5-10 dollars Sing each way.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/world-...-1227013163321

chris955

Our experience generally (not Sydney v London) is that overall it is cheaper here, ironically even with more expensive petrol it is cheaper to run a car here because of cheaper car tax and insurance. Sydney is crazy expensive, so is London and I wouldnt choose to live in either.

Bermudashorts

I think Sydney is a touch more expensive, based on rental and house prices. I think everything else is swings and roundabouts.

Beoz

Based on a direct exchange rate comparison or a proportion of average salary?

Either way, might be time for you take a look at the latest London housing market situation.

Beoz

Always nice to do this every now and then, just to keep tabs on world affairs. This is only a rough reflection on what's out there, and every persons situation will vary, and the sources are just a mere google search so may be inaccurate, but I always like to understand if moving back to London would put me in a better financial position. For me personally it would not right at this point in time. This question will never yield an accurate answer. Always subjective.

See attached.

Alfresco

What you save on petrol, you lose on Rego.

carolinephillips

Tell me about it- Rego, CTP, pinkslip, insurance etc. will cost me over $1500 this year, (more than I spend on petrol) and that is without the horrendous price of having the car serviced.