Sydney

AustraliaGMT+11

Information

A composite score evaluating the city's appeal to digital nomads, on a scale of 0-100. Calculated using a weighted formula considering factors like cost, internet quality, nomad community strength, climate suitability, and visa flexibility, derived from all relevant data points.

64.3/ 100

Information

Estimated number of digital nomads in the city. Based on nomad platforms and community estimates, reflecting its popularity among remote workers.

5,000+

Information

The total monthly cost of living, combining housing, utilities, food, transport, workspace, and leisure expenses. Sourced from cost-of-living databases and adjusted for exchange rates, rounded to the nearest dollar.

$3,875/mo

Information

Median download speed in Mbps in public, work-friendly spaces like libraries and cafes. Measured using recent crowdsourced data from platforms like Speedtest, excluding private residences.

100Mbps

About Sydney

Sydney, Australia’s largest city, is a global hub that seamlessly blends urban sophistication with stunning natural beauty, making it a top choice for digital nomads and expats. Known for landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, it offers a vibrant culture, scenic coastal views, and a temperate climate ideal for year-round outdoor activities. Its appeal is bolstered by a safe, walkable environment and a robust public transport system, though traffic congestion can be a challenge during peak hours.

The city is particularly attractive for remote workers due to its extensive coworking spaces, high-speed internet, and thriving cafe culture, which cater to the needs of digital nomads. With a metro population of around 5.5 million, Sydney hosts a diverse, multicultural community, including a significant expat population, largely from the UK and Asia. English is the primary language, facilitating easy integration, though Mandarin and Arabic are also widely spoken.

However, Sydney’s high cost of living, especially housing, can be a hurdle, with monthly rent for a central 1-bedroom apartment averaging $2,600 USD. Despite this, the city compensates with a strong infrastructure, including reliable 5G mobile networks and median download speeds of 100 Mbps in public workspaces. Its humid subtropical climate brings warm summers and mild winters, though nomads should prepare for occasional heatwaves and bushfire risks in summer.

For digital nomads, Sydney offers a dynamic lifestyle with a solid expat and nomad community, estimated at 5,000 strong, supported by around 50 coworking spaces. While there’s no specific digital nomad visa, tourist stays of up to 90 days are accessible, and the city’s proximity to beaches like Bondi adds a leisure dimension. Overall, Sydney balances work and play, making it a compelling, if pricey, destination.

Demographics

Population5,500,000
LanguagesEnglish, Mandarin, Italian, Vietnamese

Location

CountryAustralia
TimezoneGMT+11
Airport to City15 minutes
TransportUber, Taxi, Metro, Bus, Train

Visa & Travel Info

Tourist Stay90 days
Visa Cost$13
Digital Nomad VisaNot Available

Cost of Living

$3,875
/mo
118.2% higher than average

The total monthly cost of living in Sydney, Australia is $3,875, which is 118.2% higher than the global average of $1,776. This combines housing, utilities, food, transport, workspace, and leisure expenses. Data is sourced from cost-of-living databases and adjusted for exchange rates, rounded to the nearest dollar.

housing
$2,600
67.1% of total
Monthly rent for a furnished 1-bedroom apartment in a central, expat-friendly area.
utilities
$215
5.5% of total
Monthly cost for electricity, water, high-speed internet, and a mobile plan.
food
$390
10.1% of total
Monthly food budget covering groceries, 8-12 restaurant meals, and occasional takeout.
transport
$182
4.7% of total
Monthly transportation cost, including public transit passes and occasional taxis or ride-sharing.
workspace
$390
10.1% of total
Monthly budget for coworking space membership or cafe working sessions.
leisure
$98
2.5% of total
Monthly spending on fitness, entertainment, events, and activities.

Internet & Community

Sydney boasts a robust internet infrastructure, with median download speeds of 100 Mbps in public work-friendly spaces like libraries, coworking cafes, and university libraries, based on Speedtest data. The National Broadband Network (NBN) supports speeds up to 1 Gbps in some areas, though variability exists in older suburbs. Five major providers, including Telstra and Optus, ensure competition and reliability, while 5G mobile networks offer seamless connectivity for nomads on the move. Outages are rare, but peak usage can occasionally slow public Wi-Fi.

Sydney’s digital nomad community, estimated at 5,000, thrives amid a strong expat presence, particularly from the UK and Asia. Around 50 coworking spaces, like Fishburners and WeWork, offer flexible options from hot desks to private offices, often near iconic sites like the Opera House. Regular meetups, tech events, and a vibrant cafe scene foster networking, while the city’s beaches and outdoor vibe enhance the social experience, making it a dynamic hub for remote workers.

100Mbps
5G
5providers
5,000
Nomads
50+
Coworking Spaces

Weather & Climate

Temperate
Sydney’s humid subtropical climate features warm to hot summers (peaking at 26°C in January) and mild winters (dipping to 13°C in July). Rainfall averages 70-120 mm monthly, with March being the wettest. The coastal location moderates extremes, but summer heatwaves and bushfire risks are notable, while winter remains comfortable for outdoor work. Spring and autumn offer pleasant conditions, ideal for exploring the city’s scenic surroundings.
Temperature Range
13°C - 26°C
Avg: 20°C
Annual Rainfall
1190mm
Monthly Avg: 99mm
Jan
01
26°C
☀️
100 mm
💧
Feb
02
26°C
☀️
110 mm
💧
Mar
03
24°C
☀️
120 mm
💧
Apr
04
20°C
☀️
120 mm
💧
May
05
17°C
☀️
120 mm
💧
Jun
06
14°C
110 mm
💧
Jul
07
13°C
100 mm
💧
Aug
08
14°C
80 mm
Sep
09
17°C
☀️
70 mm
Oct
10
20°C
☀️
80 mm
Nov
11
22°C
☀️
90 mm
Dec
12
24°C
☀️
90 mm
🥵 Hot☀️ Warm🥶 Cold💧 Rain❄️ Snow

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