Welcome to the ultimate showdown between two charismatic metropolises – London and Sydney. If you’re confused about which city is better, this should help!
If you want to be captivated by historical landmarks and experience a diverse community
then London is for you. If you’d prefer a sunnier climate with stunning beaches and a vibrant cultural scene, then go for Sydney.
Wondering how we arrived at this decision? Don’t worry, we’ll explore the details
thoroughly. Let’s reveal the secrets and determine which city is the best fit for you.
Cost of Living in London vs. Sydney
| The cost of living in London is higher than in Sydney since the average monthly living cost in London is £3,161, while in Sydney, it’s equivalent to £2,627.14. This means that the cost of living in London is 20.33% more expensive than in Sydney. This is particularly evident in housing, utilities, transportation, and childcare costs. |
To establish the average monthly living costs in London and Sydney, we employed data sourced from LivingCost.org.
The table provided below offers a comprehensive summary of the expenses related to living in these cities, enabling a more thorough analysis of the calculations.
| Expenses | London Cost | Sydney Cost (Converted) |
| Housing (Average Rent per Month) | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment (downtown) | £1,557 | £1,319 |
| Cheap 1-bedroom apartment | £1,132 | £9,23 |
| 3-bedroom apartment (downtown) | £2,880 | £2,564 |
| Cheap 3-bedroom apartment | £1,962 | £1,663 |
| Utilities (Average Monthly Bill) | ||
| Utility bill for one person | £139 | £76.1 |
| Utility bill for a family | £213 | £117 |
| Internet plan | £27.3 | £38.9 |
| Transportation (Fare) | ||
| 1-way ticket (local transport ticket) | £2.51 | £2.73 |
| Monthly pass (local transport ticket) | £119 | £102 |
| Taxi Start (normal tariff) | £18.2 | £14.9 |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | £1.66 | £1.12 |
| Childcare (Tuition Fee) | ||
| Private Preschool/Kindergarten (full day) | £1,488 per month | £1,383 |
| International Primary School | £17,374 per year | £13,140 |
In summary, the cost of living in Sydney is roughly 20.33% lower compared to London, primarily attributed to factors like lower rent prices, reduced utility costs, and transportation fees.
However, despite the elevated cost of living, there are compelling reasons to choose London as your place of residence. The city stands as a prominent centre for finance and culture, offering ample job prospects and a vibrant cultural scene.
Real Estate Prices in London vs. Sydney
| London generally has higher real estate prices compared to Sydney. Based on the Housing Market prices of Zoopla and RateCity, the average price of a single-family home in London is 17.43% more expensive than in Sydney. Despite that, a condo is 21.37% cheaper in London. |
When it comes to real estate, Sydney stands out with its comparatively more affordable prices, challenging London’s position.
Let’s take a closer look at the table below, showcasing an intriguing comparison of average sold prices for single-family homes and condo apartments in these two distinct cities.
| Property Type | London | Sydney |
| Single-Family Home | £1,325,555 | £1,129,033.83 |
| Condo Apartment | £489,303 | £622,161.94 |
Diversity and Demographics in London vs. Sydney
| London and Sydney have distinct racial compositions. London boasts a higher percentage of visible minorities at 46.2%, while Sydney’s diverse blend includes visible minorities accounting for 32.2% of the population. Together, these cities demonstrate the power of diversity in fostering rich and dynamic communities. |
Sydney stands out with its larger geographic area, an older median age compared to London, and a slightly higher life expectancy at birth.
These differences showcase the distinct characteristics of each region, emphasizing the diversity and variations between the two cities.
| London | Sydney | |
| Geographic Location | Greater London, England | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Size (Area) | 1,572 km square kilometres | 1,687 square kilometres |
| Population | 9,648,000 | 5,312,000 |
| Female Population | 50.6 % | 52.0% |
| Male Population | 49.4% | 48.0% |
| Median Age | 35.9 years old | 37.1 years old |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 82.8 years old | 83.94 years old |
On the other hand, with the overall racial distribution and the larger presence of diverse ethnic groups, London demonstrates greater diversity in its population when compared to Sydney.
| Racial Composition | London | Racial Composition | Sydney | |
| White | 53.8% | White | 65.1% | |
| Asian | 20.8% | Asian | 23.2% | |
| Black | 13.5% | Black | 1.7% | |
| Mixed | 4.6% | Mixed | 8.3% | |
| Arab | 1.6% | Arab | 1.7% | |
| Other | 4.7% | Other | 0.1% |
Career Opportunities in London vs. Sydney
| Sourced data from Statista and idcommunity shows that Londons offers higher job opportunities than Sydney. This is because the employment rate in London is 76.2%, while in Sydney, it’s 68.7%. |
It is worth noting that the average annual salary in London is £33,825, whereas in Sydney, it’s £42,122.05. Therefore, while London may have a slightly higher employment rate, Sydney compensates for it with a higher average annual salary.
Crime and Safety in London vs. Sydney
| Based on the data from the Statista and Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2022, it is safer to live in Sydney than in London. The crime rate in London is at 8.66%, while in Sydney, it’s 6.95%. London has a higher rate of reported crimes compared to Sydney, partially attributable to factors such as socioeconomic conditions, population density, law enforcement strategies, and regional dynamics. |
Sydney ranks as the 4th safest city in the world, according to Go Visa Free. Nevertheless, it is important to note that London, despite having higher crime rates, still maintains a moderate safety index, implying that it is not necessarily unsafe.
For a breakdown of details, see the table below:
| City | Population | Crime total | Crime rate per 100,000 people | Crime rate (%) |
| London | 9,648,000 | 835,822 | 8,663 | 8.66% |
| Sydney | 5,312,000 | 369,488 | 6,955 | 6.95% |
On top of this, we collected data from Numbeo to showcase the perceived relative crime rates between London and Sydney.
It is essential to acknowledge that the information presented below is derived from survey data and may undergo changes as more respondents contribute over time.
| Type of Crime | London | Sydney |
| People using or dealing drugs | 61.62% | 45.71% |
| Property crimes such as vandalism and theft | 57.48% | 42.24% |
| Violent crimes such as assault or armed robbery | 56.87% | 32.23% |
| Corruption and bribery | 38.30% | 31.15% |
Lifestyle in London vs. Sydney
| While London and Sydney differ in terms of weather, both cities share the qualities of being safe, clean, and multicultural. Additionally, they offer a plethora of fun and historical spots for various recreational activities, making them vibrant and exciting places to live in |
To gain a better understanding of the lifestyles offered in both cities, see the detailed comparison of various factors such as weather, recreational activities, and healthcare.
Weather in London vs. Sydney
London and Sydney have distinct weather patterns. London has short, comfortable summers with clouds, and long, very cold, mostly cloudy winters. Meanwhile, Sydney enjoys warm summers with partial clouds and short, cool, clear winters.
Throughout the year, London usually has temperatures ranging from 4°C to 23°C, with rare occurrences of temperatures falling below -1°C or exceeding 29°C.
While Sydney’s temperature typically varies from 8°C to 27°C, and it seldom drops below 6°C or goes above 32°C.
Things to do in London vs. Sydney
Both London and Sydney offer diverse attractions and experiences, including historical landmarks, world-class museums, theatre productions, and natural wonders, creating unique and captivating experiences for visitors.
London offers a rich historical and cultural heritage with iconic landmarks like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the British Museum, allowing history enthusiasts to explore ancient artefacts and learn about the British monarchy.
Meanwhile, Sydney seamlessly blends natural beauty and urban charm with its picturesque harbour showcasing iconic landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, offering breathtaking views and photo opportunities.
Healthcare in London vs. Sydney
While both London and Sydney have high-quality healthcare services, Sydney is believed to surpass London with a healthcare index of 74.66% compared to London’s 69.81%, according to Numbeo data.
The following table illustrates the various factors that contribute to the overall healthcare index in both cities:
| London | Sydney | |
| Skill and competency of medical staff | 69% | 77.20% |
| Speed in completing examinations and reports | 65.91% | 75.46% |
| Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment | 82.34% | 84.21 |
| Accuracy and completeness in filling out reports | 67.75% | 76.18% |
| Friendliness and courtesy of the staff | 72.44% | 77.42% |
| Responsiveness (waiting in medical institutions) | 43.56% | 60.42% |
| Satisfaction with Cost | 79.02% | 69.24% |
| Convenience of location | 79.30% | 82.57% |
London vs. Sydney: How they stack up
In summary, based on the factors we have discussed earlier, here are our suggestions on which city may be more fitting for your needs.
| Factors | The Better City | Why |
| Cost of Living | Sydney | The living cost in Sydney is 20.33% cheaper than in London. |
| Real Estate | Sydney | Real estate properties in Sydney are considerably more affordable compared to London. |
| Diversity and Demographics | London | While both cities boast a considerable level of diversity, the population of London has a higher proportion of visible minorities compared to Sydney. |
| Career Opportunities | London | London offers a more favourable job market and boasts a lower unemployment rate compared to Sydney. |
| Crime Index | Sydney | The crime rate in Sydney is lower than in London. |
| Lifestyle | Tied (depends on what kind of lifestyle you prefer) | London and Sydney have distinct climates, so it is advisable to choose the one that aligns best with your preferences. Both cities feature iconic landmarks that offer a multitude of recreational activities to engage in. Furthermore, the healthcare services in both London and Sydney are of excellent quality. |
