Austin vs Sydney: cost of living for digital nomads
Austin, United States and Sydney, Australia, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Austin is about 8% cheaper than Sydney for a month of nomad living ($2,950 vs $3,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,500 in Austin against $1,800 in Sydney.
- Sydney scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Austin: 250 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Austin wins 5 of the measured lines; Sydney wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Austin or Sydney?
Austin is cheaper: about $2,950/month against $3,200/month in Sydney, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Austin or Sydney?
Sydney scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Austin.
Which has faster internet, Austin or Sydney?
Austin has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Sydney.
| Line | Austin | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,950 | $3,200 |
| Rent | $1,500 | $1,800 |
| Food | $620 | $600 |
| Transport | $90 | $120 |
| Coworking | $200 | $300 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 50 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Sydney
High cost, high quality of life; large expat and startup scene.
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Austin September 11, 2026, Sydney November 5, 2026.