According to Numero’s Cost of Living Index by City, Sydney and Canberra are among the 50 most expensive cities in the world.
Numero’s list calculates a cost-of-living score out of 100 for each city based on how much locals pay for groceries, dining out, utilities, transportation, and more, using New York City as a baseline.
Unsurprisingly, many of the top 10 spots went to cities in Switzerland and the United States, with the top five spots in 2025 going to Zurich, Lausanne, Geneva, New York and Basel.
As for Australia, Sydney ranked 37th globally, with an index of 67.6, and Canberra ranked 41st, with an index of 66.8.
Despite being one of the two major Australian cities, Melbourne was ranked as the third most affordable city in Australia. The city ranked 84th globally, with a cost of living index of 61.5.
Last year, Melbourne was ranked as the most affordable city in the country out of the six on the list, suggesting the city became more expensive over the past year.
While, according to the index, Melbourne was the third most affordable, this position shifts when rent is factored in. Due to its higher rental prices, Melbourne and Brisbane would surpass Adelaide, becoming the third, fourth and fifth most expensive cities in Australia, respectively.
