Hobart vs Sydney
Cost of living, weather, jobs and lifestyle, side by side. Pick any two cities to switch.
| Fact | Hobart | Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| Population1 | 255,000 | 5.5 million |
| State | Tasmania | New South Wales |
| Median house price2 | $680k | $1.5M |
| Median weekly rent (house)2 | $550 | $750 |
| Average summer day3 | 22°C | 26°C |
| Average winter day3 | 12°C | 17°C |
| Annual rainfall3 | 600 mm | 1200 mm |
| Time zone4 | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving |
| Main industries5 | Tourism, health, Antarctic science, aquaculture | Finance, professional services, tech, tourism |
Hobart and Sydney share the same time zone all year. Figures are rounded, indicative values and are a guide only.
What it's really like: Hobart and Sydney beyond the numbers
What each city is known for
Hobart. MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art), Salamanca Market, the Dark Mofo winter festival, fresh seafood, and kunanyi/Mt Wellington rising behind the harbour.
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
Hobart. Metro Tasmania buses and a ferry service on the Derwent. There is no passenger rail. The city is compact but most people drive, and the Tasman Bridge is the main bottleneck.
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
Hobart. AFL is the main code, and a Tasmanian AFL team is in development with a new stadium planned at Macquarie Point. Cricket is played at Blundstone Arena.
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
Hobart. Small-city calm, close to wilderness and wineries. It is cooler than the mainland. Housing has become much less affordable relative to local wages.
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: Metro Tasmania · Discover Tasmania · Transport for NSW · Destination NSW