City comparison
🇦🇺 Sydney vs 🇦🇪 Dubai
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, taxes, and quality of life for expats.
Quick verdict
More affordable
Dubai
27% cheaper overall
Higher quality of life
Sydney
8.5/10 vs 8/10
Cost of living comparison
| Category | 🇦🇺 Sydney | 🇦🇪 Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, center) | €2,126 | €1,620 |
| Rent (1-bed, suburb) | €1,462 | €1,023 |
| Groceries (single) | €365 | €255 |
| Transport pass | €132 | €84 |
| Restaurant (2 people) | €79 | €76 |
| Monthly budget (moderate) | €3,100 | €2,800 |
Quality of life
| Metric | 🇦🇺 Sydney | 🇦🇪 Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Safety | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Healthcare | 8.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Education | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Expat Community | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| English Proficiency | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Tax & practical info
🇦🇺
Sydney
AustraliaTax regime
Progressive tax up to 45% (+ 2% Medicare levy)
Climate
Humid subtropical
Nomad visa
–
Effective tax rate
23–28%
Avg. salary
€65,000–€100,000
🇦🇪
Dubai
UAETax regime
0% personal income tax
Climate
Hot desert
Nomad visa
Yes
Effective tax rate
0%
Avg. salary
€45,000–€95,000
Crunch the numbers
Use our calculators to compare your actual take-home pay and monthly budget.
These figures are indicative and based on public datasets. They are not the opinion of a tax lawyer. Consult a tax lawyer, a chartered accountant or a licensed financial professional before making relocation or employment decisions.
EXPATRIATION.IO
Going further with your move?
Explore expatriation.io for the guides, tools and resources to plan your expatriation, all in one place.