Sydney vs Tokyo: cost of living for digital nomads
Sydney, Australia and Tokyo, Japan, 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
- Tokyo is about 13% cheaper than Sydney for a month of nomad living ($2,800 vs $3,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,300 in Tokyo against $1,800 in Sydney.
- Tokyo scores higher on safety (10/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Tokyo: 230 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Sydney wins 1 of the measured lines; Tokyo wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Sydney or Tokyo?
Tokyo is cheaper: about $2,800/month against $3,200/month in Sydney, roughly 13% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Sydney or Tokyo?
Tokyo scores higher on safety: 10/10 against 8/10 for Sydney.
Which has faster internet, Sydney or Tokyo?
Tokyo has faster typical internet: 230 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Sydney.
| Line | Sydney | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $3,200 | $2,800 |
| Rent | $1,800 | $1,300 |
| Food | $600 | $650 |
| Transport | $120 | $120 |
| Coworking | $300 | $200 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 10/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 50 | 230 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | 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): Sydney November 5, 2026, Tokyo October 31, 2026.