Economy, jobs and prices in Sydney, Australia: official figures
The median total income of residents of the City of Sydney who had income was $65,191 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 4th highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the City of Sydney local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the median wage in Sydney?
The median employee income in the City of Sydney was $67,985 for the year 2022-23, 4th highest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Sydney?
The median equivalised household income in the City of Sydney was $1,673 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), the highest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Sydney?
The unemployment rate in the City of Sydney was 5.6% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), 7th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Sydney?
68.7% of residents of the City of Sydney aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 6th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Sydney?
Of the 126,888 employed residents of the City of Sydney at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were professional, scientific and technical services (18.9%; 7.8% nationally), financial and insurance services (10.3%) and health care and social assistance (9.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Sydney?
85,193 businesses were registered in the City of Sydney at 30 June 2025, which is 352 for every 1,000 residents (3rd highest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 64% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Sydney in 2024-25?
Building approvals in the City of Sydney in 2024-25 covered 1,751 new dwellings (7.2 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $4,020 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Sydney?
The median price of an established house sold in the City of Sydney in 2023-24 was $2,105,500, the highest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $980,000.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Sydney?
78.5% of occupied homes in the City of Sydney were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 64.1% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Sydney do not own a car?
39.3% of households in the City of Sydney had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 2nd highest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Sydney in 2024?
370 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in the City of Sydney in 2024, 1.6 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Sydney compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Sydney ranks 7 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 | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Greater Hobart | 6.2% |
| 5 | Perth | 6.1% |
| 6 | Cairns | 5.7% |
| 7 | Sydney | 5.6% |
| 8 | Greater Brisbane | 5.5% |
| 9 | Greater Adelaide | 5.5% |
| 10 | Gold Coast | 5.4% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Sydney ranks 4 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 | Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canberra | $75,643 |
| 2 | Greater Darwin | $70,961 |
| 3 | Darwin | $69,529 |
| 4 | Sydney | $65,191 |
| 5 | Brisbane | $63,317 |
| 6 | Greater Perth | $63,138 |
| 7 | Townsville | $62,262 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Sydney ranks 3 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 | Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adelaide | 430 |
| 2 | Perth | 380 |
| 3 | Sydney | 352 |
| 4 | Melbourne | 241 |
| 5 | Hobart | 124 |
| 6 | Gold Coast | 120 |
| 7 | Greater Sydney | 115 |
More on Sydney: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- 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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