Sydney is generally considered bigger by official Greater Capital City boundaries (around 5.56m vs 5.35m in 2024), but Melbourne has sometimes been listed as larger due to revised "Significant Urban Area" boundaries that include new suburbs like Melton, though recent data suggests Sydney retains the lead for now, with projections changing. The key difference lies in how boundaries are drawn, with Sydney's wider area including the Central Coast, while Melbourne's urban boundary expanded to include fast-growing western suburbs.
By the more commonly used Greater Capital City measure (a wider area), Sydney remains the larger city with 5.56m to Melbourne's 5.35m. This is primarily because Greater Sydney includes the Central Coast, while the Sydney SUA does not.
The biggest city in Australia by population is Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, with Melbourne closely following as the second largest; recent data shows Sydney with over 5 million people and Melbourne just behind, though their rankings have shifted slightly over time due to growth patterns. Both cities consistently lead the country, followed by Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
If you love fine dining, visit Sydney
Sydney is considered more of a leisure city than Melbourne. While it may not have the coffee culture that Melbourne has, it is home to some of the country's best restaurants. It even has a cosmopolitan cocktail scene with famous bars like Maybe Sammy and Old Mate's Place.
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Toorak boasts gated cul-de-sacs, privacy hedges, tree-lined streets and 22 of Australia's richest people.
It's big, has soul and culture and an energy that you don't find in Sydney. If you work in finance and love to surf move to Sydney. For everyone else, Melbourne will welcome you with open arms. Great culture great shopping great restaurants and cafes awesome sport and just a wonderful vibe!
After moving to Melbourne from Sydney 10 years ago, I can confirm that Melburnians are absolutely friendlier and more polite on average – except when driving.
Yes, $100k AUD is a solid salary in Sydney, especially for a single person, allowing for comfortable living and saving if you manage housing costs wisely, though high rent and inflation mean it's less impressive than it once was, requiring smart budgeting for things like mortgages and dining out, but still well above the median income and average wage.
Sydney is Australia's largest city and considered the best by many families and professionals. It boasts some of the best beaches, world-class dining, and cultural attractions like the Opera House and Harbour. Sydney is also an expensive city to live, yet it remains highly desirable.
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In its 2022 population statement, Australia's federal government said Melbourne was projected to overtake Sydney as Australia's largest city in just under 10 years' time, in 2031-32. But the newly recast Melbourne has a total of about 5.8 million residents, almost 19,000 more people than Sydney, 9News added.
The oldest and first city to be built in Australia is Sydney. Sydney officially became the first Australian city in 1842 after Great Britain colonised New South Wales. The state of New South Wales was founded by Governor Arthur Phillips alongside the First Fleet, who immigrated to Australia in 1788.
Sydney receives significantly more total rainfall annually (around 1200mm) compared to Melbourne (around 600-650mm), but Melbourne experiences more frequent, lighter showers and overcast days, while Sydney's rain often comes in heavier downpours, leading to its reputation for more drenching rain despite fewer "rain days".
Yes, Greater Melbourne is significantly larger geographically than London, covering almost 10,000 sq km compared to London's roughly 1,572 sq km, making Melbourne one of the world's largest cities by area, though London has a much denser population. Melbourne's urban sprawl is vast, while London's urban core is more compact but densely populated, meaning Melbourne feels less crowded despite its huge size.
Australia is one of the most urbanised nations, with 90 percent of the population living in just 0.22 per cent of the country's land area and 87 percent living within 50 kilometres of the coast.
To be in Australia's top 1% of individual taxpayers, you generally need an annual income of around $375,000 to $390,000, though figures vary slightly by source and year, with higher thresholds for households (around $530,000). For context, the median individual income is much lower (around $55,000), and while top earners often include surgeons and anaesthetists, reaching the top 1% of net worth requires significantly more wealth, often exceeding $7 million.
Jobs paying $150k+ in Australia span various sectors, including Tech (Senior Business Analysts, IT roles), Healthcare (Podiatrists, Clinical Managers), Construction & Trades (Construction Managers, Electricians, Site Supervisors, Drillers), Finance (Finance Managers, Financial Planners, Accountants), Sales, and Leadership (HR Directors, Operations Managers, School Principals, Government Directors). High-demand areas often involve senior or specialized roles in Engineering, Mining, Digital Marketing, and Management, with opportunities both with and without degrees.
Calculation details
On a £120,000 salary, your take home pay will be £76,157.40 after tax and National Insurance. This equates to £6,346.45 per month and £1,464.57 per week. If you work 5 days per week, this is £292.91 per day, or £36.61 per hour at 40 hours per week.
It's official! Adelaide is the happiest city in Australia, and one of the happiest in the world! 🙌 We ranked #29 globally in the Happy City Index across six categories - environment, economy, mobility, citizen wellbeing, health and governance.
The Indians in Australia are predominantly male, while the Chinese are majority female." Indians are the largest migrant ethnic group in Melbourne and Adelaide, fourth largest in Brisbane, and likely to jump from third place to second place in Sydney by 2021.
While Sydney is the face of Australia for many, Melbourne is the heart of its culture. This city is famous for its thriving arts scene, vibrant nightlife, and rich food culture. Melbourne should be on your radar if you appreciate creativity, coffee, and diverse experiences.
Yes, Sydney is generally warmer and sunnier than Melbourne, with milder winters and less temperature fluctuation, while Melbourne is known for its highly variable "four seasons in one day" weather, cooler overall, but less humid summers. Sydney's climate is humid subtropical, offering warmer, more consistent temperatures, whereas Melbourne has a more moderate oceanic climate with cooler winters and distinct seasonal shifts, despite experiencing hotter summer days.
Australia's "most beautiful" place is subjective, but top contenders include the Great Barrier Reef (world's largest reef system with stunning islands like the Whitsundays' Whitehaven Beach), Kakadu National Park (diverse landscapes, waterfalls, wildlife), Tasmania's Bay of Fires (vibrant orange lichen on white sand), and the rugged, otherworldly Kimberley region, offering unique natural wonders from turquoise gorges to vast wilderness. Other favorites are Uluru (iconic monolith), Sydney Harbour (harbor, bridge, opera house), and Tasmania's Cradle Mountain.
Melbourne is the happiest city in Australia according to locals.