Purchasing Power: San Francisco vs 
Sydney (2026)
See what your salary in San Francisco would feel like in Sydney — and what you'd need to earn to maintain the same lifestyle.
From City
Your Gross Salary in San Francisco
To City
A full monthly lifestyle basket costs $4,940 in San Francisco vs $3,930 in Sydney
Monthly Cost of Living: San Francisco vs Sydney
| Category |  San Francisco |  Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Rent | $3,800 | $2,800 |
| 🛒 Groceries | $550 | $450 |
| 🍽️ Eating Out | $320 | $300 |
| 🚌 Transport | $120 | $200 |
| ⚡ Utilities | $150 | $180 |
| Total Essentials | $4,940 | $3,930 |
To match your lifestyle in San Francisco on $100,000/year, you need approximately $79,955/year gross in Sydney.
That's $6,663/month gross, or roughly $38/hour.
San Francisco
Monthly Net: $6,416
Monthly Expenses: $4,940
Disposable: $1,476
Savings Rate: 23.0%
Sydney (estimated)
Monthly Expenses: $3,930
To match disposable: $5,406 net/month needed
Equivalent gross: $79,955/year
Compare other city pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
How far does $100,000 go in Sydney compared to San Francisco?
A monthly lifestyle basket costs $4,940 in San Francisco versus $3,930 in Sydney.
What salary do I need in Sydney to match my lifestyle in San Francisco?
To maintain the same disposable income and lifestyle as earning $100,000/year in San Francisco, you would need to earn approximately $79,955/year gross in Sydney.
Is Sydney cheaper than San Francisco to live in?
Monthly essential costs are $4,940 in San Francisco versus $3,930 in Sydney. Note that these are in different currencies.