Invest
Why is Sydney a popular place to live in?
INFOGRAPHIC: There’s no denying that Sydney is home to one of the most picturesque harbours in the world. In fact, millions of tourists find their way to the Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House each year to enjoy the view and culturally diverse activities.
Why is Sydney a popular place to live in?
INFOGRAPHIC: There’s no denying that Sydney is home to one of the most picturesque harbours in the world. In fact, millions of tourists find their way to the Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Opera House each year to enjoy the view and culturally diverse activities.
But Sydney isn’t only popular for its beauty — the sprawling state capital of NSW boasts great things when it comes to improving its population’s livelihood.
Here are some of the reasons that has allowed Sydney to maintain its status as one of the best cities in the world to live in.
Affordable public transport
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Sydney is Australia’s most populated city, with an estimated population density of 400 people per square kilometre.
Naturally, moving this large population around is crucial to keeping the city’s economy thriving – and this is where Sydney’s comprehensive public transport network comes in.
Sydney’s public transport in the world is among the most affordable in the world.
Poor traffic
The downside for Sydneysiders is that the city usually suffers from poor traffic, with volumes typically reaching its peak during the summer season.
Low unemployment rate
According to the ABS labour force survey and Centrelink data, Sydney’s unemployment rate is at 2.46 per cent for the March 2019 quarter. This is well below the national average, which is at 5.1 per cent.
The 2019 census reveals that among the 171,427 local resident workers, 47.8 per cent are professionals and managerial-level workers. The remaining 52 per cent include clerical, administrative, community and personal service, sales, technicians trade and other skilled labourers.
Best for job opportunities
Sydney’s low unemployment rate is most likely influenced by the host of job opportunities that workers may choose from – and it’s not just Sydneysiders. The city’s sprawling economy paves the way for businesses to succeed and expand and opens more employment opportunities for Sydneysiders and migrants.
High cost of living
Sydney’s sprawling economy also has its downsides, particularly in the cost of living.
Despite high income-earning opportunities, Sydney’s cost of living is one of the highest among other Australian cities – and it doesn’t help that property values are just as high.
Best for beach lovers
When it comes to leisure activities, especially of the beach variety, Sydneysiders have easy access to over 100 beaches.
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Property
2026 property expansion? Why disciplined investors will wait — and where to play offence
A growing chorus of market practitioners is urging investors to pause portfolio expansion in 2026 as returns compress and policy settings tighten. The headline risk is less about price crashes and mor...Read more
Property
Cost, red tape and capital: why Australia’s housing pipeline is shrinking — and how to rebuild it
Australia’s housing pipeline is being choked by a toxic mix of escalating input costs, regulatory drag and tighter finance. The result: mid-market projects stall while luxury builds proceed, pushing...Read more
Property
Start 2026 strong: Turn property advice into a data-driven advantage
In 2026, property professionals who industrialise goal-setting and risk management with data and AI will capture outsized client value. The playbook is shifting from intuitive advice to measurable, te...Read more
Property
Solar for renters isn’t just social policy — it’s a new operating model for residential property
Queensland’s Supercharged Solar for Renters program, backed by the REIQ, reframes the ‘split incentive’ that has stymied energy upgrades in rentals. With rebates of up to $3,500 per property and...Read more
Property
Holiday towns as assets, not postcards: How to invest where the beach meets the balance sheet
Summer seduces capital to the coast, but the smart money treats holiday towns like operating businesses, not lifestyle trophies. Demand is seasonal, regulation is variable, and returns depend on profe...Read more
Property
First Home Supply: a $10b bet on 100,000 keys — and a reshaping of Australia’s build-to-sell pipeline
Can $10 billion translate into 100,000 front doors for first-time buyers — without overheating costs or stalling on approvals? The new First Home Supply program signals a pivot from demand-side subs...Read more
Property
Navigating the crunch: A 2025 case study of Australia’s housing market and the operators who outperformed
Australia’s 2025 property market was defined by a stubborn supply squeeze and cost-of-living pressure—tempered by rate cuts and targeted incentives. Yet a cohort of developers, lenders and agencie...Read more
Property
Australia’s mortgage rebound: a 19% surge that reshapes pricing, risk and distribution
New APRA figures show new home lending jumped 18.9% in the September quarter year-on-year, signalling a demand recovery despite elevated rates. The upswing intensifies a three-way contest between pric...Read more
Property
2026 property expansion? Why disciplined investors will wait — and where to play offence
A growing chorus of market practitioners is urging investors to pause portfolio expansion in 2026 as returns compress and policy settings tighten. The headline risk is less about price crashes and mor...Read more
Property
Cost, red tape and capital: why Australia’s housing pipeline is shrinking — and how to rebuild it
Australia’s housing pipeline is being choked by a toxic mix of escalating input costs, regulatory drag and tighter finance. The result: mid-market projects stall while luxury builds proceed, pushing...Read more
Property
Start 2026 strong: Turn property advice into a data-driven advantage
In 2026, property professionals who industrialise goal-setting and risk management with data and AI will capture outsized client value. The playbook is shifting from intuitive advice to measurable, te...Read more
Property
Solar for renters isn’t just social policy — it’s a new operating model for residential property
Queensland’s Supercharged Solar for Renters program, backed by the REIQ, reframes the ‘split incentive’ that has stymied energy upgrades in rentals. With rebates of up to $3,500 per property and...Read more
Property
Holiday towns as assets, not postcards: How to invest where the beach meets the balance sheet
Summer seduces capital to the coast, but the smart money treats holiday towns like operating businesses, not lifestyle trophies. Demand is seasonal, regulation is variable, and returns depend on profe...Read more
Property
First Home Supply: a $10b bet on 100,000 keys — and a reshaping of Australia’s build-to-sell pipeline
Can $10 billion translate into 100,000 front doors for first-time buyers — without overheating costs or stalling on approvals? The new First Home Supply program signals a pivot from demand-side subs...Read more
Property
Navigating the crunch: A 2025 case study of Australia’s housing market and the operators who outperformed
Australia’s 2025 property market was defined by a stubborn supply squeeze and cost-of-living pressure—tempered by rate cuts and targeted incentives. Yet a cohort of developers, lenders and agencie...Read more
Property
Australia’s mortgage rebound: a 19% surge that reshapes pricing, risk and distribution
New APRA figures show new home lending jumped 18.9% in the September quarter year-on-year, signalling a demand recovery despite elevated rates. The upswing intensifies a three-way contest between pric...Read more
