Sydney vs Utrecht: cost of living for digital nomads
Sydney, Australia and Utrecht, Netherlands, 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
- Utrecht is about 17% cheaper than Sydney for a month of nomad living ($2,645 vs $3,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $1,350 in Utrecht against $1,800 in Sydney.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Utrecht: 200 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Sydney wins 0 of the measured lines; Utrecht wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Sydney or Utrecht?
Utrecht is cheaper: about $2,645/month against $3,200/month in Sydney, roughly 17% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Sydney or Utrecht?
Sydney and Utrecht score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Sydney or Utrecht?
Utrecht has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Sydney.
| Line | Sydney | Utrecht |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $3,200 | $2,645 |
| Rent | $1,800 | $1,350 |
| Food | $600 | $560 |
| Transport | $120 | $65 |
| Coworking | $300 | $180 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 50 | 200 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| 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, Utrecht September 10, 2026.