Cost of Living - LA vs Sydney

[mph911]

Interesting reading..


Cost of Living Comparison Between Los Angeles, CA, United States And Sydney, Australia

[Cannonball996]

wow thats insane!!!

[imcarthur]

My son was sent to the home office of his multi-national company in Melbourne for a 2 year project. His house was paid for & his car, so it was affordable. They offered him a job to stay - same wage but without those benefits - and he quickly realized that he couldn't afford to stay in Australia.

Ian

[on2wheels52]

A couple of buddies who spent three weeks riding dual-sport in Australia mentioned how much restaurant food was, even out in the sticks.
But of course, still a great ride.
Jim

[BeyGon]

I spent three weeks there just one year ago, I was happy to come home and pay NewPort Beach and Dana Point prices.

[look 171]

Depending on the part of LA, I think the prices are little bit higher then that on average. Still, I am shocked that Sydney is so high.

[Bill Douglas]

Australia is a very unionised country. By the time everyone has been paid their "decent living standard pay" services and products become expensive. Plus lots of taxes on things.

New Zealand is expensive, but not as bad as Australia.

[SeanPizzle]

It looks like they are showing those costs in $USD. The USD traded a decade ago at $.55 to $1AUD. Its now roughly on parity and everything is expensive. Last I traveled there (2000) it was pretty cheap with USD.

[ossiblue]

I was lucky enough to visit Sydney back in 2002 when the dollar was strong, ~two Aussie dollars to one U.S. It turned out to be a very economical visit but, that was then...

[Shuie]

I'm going to AUS for business for a week in July and have a 24 hr layover in Sydney on the return trip. I dont know about food, etc., but the hotels are stupid expensive there.

[mph911]

The value of the US dollar is only relevant when travelling between countries.
For a person living in Sydney the cost of living is crazy no matter what the AUD/USD values are.
I remember when the AUD was worth 50c to the USD, Americans were loving coming here .

[Adam]

Now you all know why Aussie tourists are walking around agog at your low, low prices.

[Bill Douglas]

Housing has traditionally been expensive in Sydney, and especially over the last 15 years, so I think that makes a big difference when the totals of the cost of living are compaired.

But! What a great place.

[cairns]

It looks like they are showing those costs in $USD. The USD traded a decade ago at $.55 to $1AUD. Its now roughly on parity and everything is expensive. Last I traveled there (2000) it was pretty cheap with USD.

Wife and I used to go there a lot. It was like the whole country was on sale. Our last brief visit (January) everything seemed like a rip off. But Sydney is still more beautiful than LA could ever hope to be.....in 98 I could have bought a one bedroom condo on Circular Quay for about $200K US. I could kick myself.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

Hey cairns
I hope you pronounce it (your nom de plume) correctly. Me, I could easily live in Kiama - south of Wollongong. It is still very pricey - but who knows....
Cheers
JB

[look 171]

What's the salary like down there compare to the cost of living and housing?

[Apollo]

In Sydney, the average house price is around $500K. The average income is about $50K. Housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable-lots of demand in the rental market.

[motion]

Pack of cigs is $16.62? Something doesn't smell right...

[motion]

Originally Posted by Apollo

In Sydney, the average house price is around $500K. The average income is about $50K. Housing is becoming increasingly unaffordable-lots of demand in the rental market.

Not so far off the LA market... the figures in that report don't seem accurate.

[mph911]

Its been a long time since I have seen a house for around $500,000 in Sydney.

There is over 100 suburbs with a median price over $1 mil.