Poverty and living standards in Greater Sydney, Australia: official figures
The median weekly rent paid by households in Greater Sydney was $470 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), 2nd highest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: Greater Sydney, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
What is the average mortgage repayment in Greater Sydney?
The median monthly mortgage repayment in Greater Sydney was $2,427 at the 2021 Census (the national median was $1,863), 2nd highest of 31 areas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney have no income?
10.4% of residents of Greater Sydney had nil or negative personal income at the 2021 Census, 3rd highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (8.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many renters in Greater Sydney are in rental stress?
35.3% of renting households in Greater Sydney paid more than 30% of their income in rent at the 2021 Census (a common measure of rental stress), 8th highest of 26 areas, above the national figure (32.2%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Greater Sydney are in mortgage stress?
19.8% of households with a mortgage in Greater Sydney paid more than 30% of their income in repayments at the 2021 Census (mortgage stress), above the national figure (14.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Sydney are on a low income?
20.4% of residents of Greater Sydney had a personal income of $1 to $499 a week at the 2021 Census, below the national figure (23.3%); 13.7% of households had an equivalised income of $1 to $499 a week, below the national figure (15.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many homeless people are there in Greater Sydney?
An estimated 25,141 people were homeless on census night 2021 in Greater Sydney, which is 48 per 10,000 residents (13th lowest of 26 areas; Australia 48 per 10,000).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Greater Sydney are overcrowded?
5.9% of occupied homes in Greater Sydney needed at least one more bedroom for the people living there at the 2021 Census (Australia 3.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Sydney compares with other cities in Australia
Median weekly rent, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Sydney ranks 2 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Median weekly rent, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney | $550 |
| 2 | Greater Sydney | $470 |
| 3 | Gold Coast-Tweed Heads | $450 |
| 4 | Gold Coast | $450 |
| 5 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | $450 |
| 6 | Canberra | $450 |
| 7 | Sunshine Coast | $440 |
Renting households paying over 30% of income in rent, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Sydney ranks 8 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Renting households paying over 30% of income in rent, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Wollongong | 37.1% |
| 6 | Melbourne | 36.0% |
| 7 | Greater Hobart | 35.4% |
| 8 | Greater Sydney | 35.3% |
| 9 | Newcastle | 33.7% |
| 10 | Hobart | 33.5% |
| 11 | Cairns | 33.1% |
Residents with nil or negative income, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Sydney ranks 3 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Residents with nil or negative income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adelaide | 13.1% |
| 2 | Melbourne | 10.6% |
| 3 | Greater Sydney | 10.4% |
| 4 | Greater Melbourne | 10.2% |
| 5 | Greater Perth | 9.3% |
| 6 | Perth | 9.2% |
| 7 | Brisbane | 8.5% |
More on Greater Sydney: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and Australia (ASGS Edition 3), all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bf78744b9729…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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