Canberra vs Sydney
Cost of living, weather, jobs and lifestyle, side by side. Pick any two cities to switch.
| Fact | Canberra | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Population1 | 470,000 | 5.5 million |
| State | ACT | New South Wales |
| Median house price2 | $980k | $1.5M |
| Median weekly rent (house)2 | $680 | $750 |
| Average summer day3 | 28°C | 26°C |
| Average winter day3 | 12°C | 17°C |
| Annual rainfall3 | 620 mm | 1200 mm |
| Time zone4 | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving |
| Main industries5 | Federal public service, defence, education | Finance, professional services, tech, tourism |
Canberra and Sydney share the same time zone all year. Figures are rounded, indicative values and are a guide only.
What it's really like: Canberra and Sydney beyond the numbers
What each city is known for
Canberra. Parliament House, national museums and galleries, Lake Burley Griffin, and a city built around bush 'nature reserves'. It is the home of the federal public service.
Sydney. The Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and more than 100 beaches, from Bondi and Manly to quieter northern bays. It is Australia's finance capital and its most international city.
Getting around
Canberra. Buses plus a light rail line from Gungahlin to the city, being extended south. Roads are wide and congestion is light compared with the big capitals, and there are no tolls.
Sydney. A large Sydney Trains and Metro network plus ferries on the harbour, but the city is spread out and many people drive. Sydney has the most toll roads in the country, and regular commuters can pay thousands of dollars a year in tolls.
Sport
Canberra. Rugby league (Raiders) and rugby union (Brumbies) are the biggest codes. Manuka Oval hosts cricket and some AFL games for the GWS Giants.
Sydney. Rugby league is the dominant code (the NRL was born here), with AFL, cricket and the A-League also strong. Major venues include the SCG, Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park and the rebuilt Allianz Stadium.
Day-to-day life
Canberra. Quiet, green and family-friendly, with some of the highest household incomes in Australia. Winters are frosty and summers are dry. Many people find the social scene smaller than in other capitals.
Sydney. Outdoor, beach-centred living with long warm seasons. The trade-off is cost: housing takes a bigger share of income than anywhere else in Australia, so many people live far from where they work.
Sources: Transport Canberra · VisitCanberra · Transport for NSW · Destination NSW