Want to move to Sydney, but worried about affordability? That’s no surprise, Sydney holds the title of most expensive place to live across Australia.

While Sydney ranks highly on the livability scale in terms of food, entertainment, career opportunities, education, and general lifestyle, cost can be a major roadblock when it comes to making the move to this capital city.

Luckily growth in Sydney property prices has steadied over the last year, meaning there are still some suburbs that offer reprieve from the craziness of this city’s cost of living.

In this article we’re sharing the top 5 cheapest suburbs in Sydney for 2024.

Reasons to move to Sydney

Sydney is a diverse and vibrant city filled with museums, monuments, landmarks and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Whether you’re looking for a buzzing art and culture scene, are a foodie fanatic, or are drawn to the city for its career or education opportunities, there’s something for everyone here.

The crime rate in Sydney is also considered low and the city is rated as 77% safer than most Australian capitals. As the home of Australia’s Mardi Gras, the Diversity Festival and a mix of cultural events, values of equality and social conscience are strongly embedded in Sydney’s persona and within the communities that live there.

Affordable Suburbs in Sydney

Before we dive into our top 5 suburbs, it’s important to remember that the median house price in Sydney is currently $1.4 million and the median price of a unit sits at $817,059.

While this may lead to you to believe that the words ‘Sydney’ and ‘affordable’ can’t exist in the same sentence, there is a shift happening. Property prices in the area are stabilising or even lowering in some areas.

When it comes to bagging a bargain the trick is to look outside of the obvious Sydney hotspots. Here’s what we found.

Hazelbrook

Hazelbrook is some 90 kilometres west of Sydney CBD but still classed as a Sydney suburb. While this is a little way out from Sydney's bustling city, it does come with a big perk - this is the cheapest Sydney suburb to buy (per square metre). Land costs $861 per square metre with a median house price of $815,000 on a median block size of 933 square metres.

Hazelbrook is ranked 133rd best suburb by locals in Sydney (Greater) Region, NSW. Here’s what some of the locals have to say.

“Hazelbrook is the best of both worlds! Gorgeous mountains lifestyle whilst still close enough to Sydney to do a daily commute (and the views of Sydney are amazing from here). Great place to raise kids with lots of school options. Plenty of great dining choices in neighbouring villages and a really warm sense of community.”

“The bird life here is incredible and there are many local parks and beautiful big trees which line the streets of the village. Hazelbrook has a great accessible train station and is an express stop with frequent trains towards Sydney or further up the mountains.”

Faulconbridge

Faulconbridge comes in second on Sydney’s lowest house price list. With a price per sq. metre of $892 and median house price of $905,000 on s block size of 1,012sqm, it offers space to those open to living a little further out.

Faulconbridge is located on the lower slopes of the Blue Mountains, just past the edge of Sydney. The township is just over an hour’s drive from Sydney offering an easy commute for city workers while Faulconbridge Station is a relaxing 90 min train ride from Central.

Faulconbridge is ranked 6th best suburb by locals in Sydney (Greater) Region, NSW. Here’s what some of the locals have to say.

“Great for young families, peaceful, fresh air, close to Springwood amenities. Nice coffee cart outside the iconic Ugg store. Can still buy a house under $1m and only an hour from Sydney.”

“Close to everything you need but also peaceful and quiet. Beautiful bush walks and views on your doorstep and easy access to the train line and highway to get you back into the city.”

Wentworth Falls

Wentworth Falls comes in third on the list of cheapest Sydney suburbs with a median house price of $965,000 on a 999 sqm block. As the name suggests, this suburb offers some of the region's most spectacular waterfalls while being only a 90 minute train ride from Sydney Central Station. It’s another great option for those looking for land size and livability, with easy connection to Sydney’s CBD.

Here’s what some of the locals have to say.

“You can go to Sydney for a day at the beach or in the city and be back by nightfall. I recommend this area for anyone looking for beautiful scenery, fresh air and friendly locals.”

“One of the oldest suburbs in the Blue Mountains, Wentworth Falls is a place that has a strong sense of community which makes it the perfect place for anyone in any stage of life to live.”

Villawood

Next up on the list is a suburb a little closer to Sydney’s centre. Villawood is located just 27 kilometres away from Sydney’s Central Business District.

The median house price in this suburb is $880,000 but you can expect smaller block sizes than the likes of Hazelbrook, Wentworth Falls and Faulconbridge. Still, the suburb ranks first on PRD’s affordable and liveable suburbs list for Sydney, so this one is definitely worth a look if you want to move somewhere more central.

Here’s what some of thee locals have to say.

“Super convenient place to live, everything in Sydney is fairly close, good highways and train line. Cheap area for shopping/produce and some delicious restaurants close by. Also really close to St George's River which I would go for walks all the time, found it really peaceful there and so quiet. Villawood will be the next great suburb in the South West, it's on the up and has the space for new shops which are popping up and has a location you can't beat for the price.”

Auburn

Last on the list of cheapest Sydney suburbs is the multicultural Western Sydney town of Auburn. Located just 24 km away from Sydney CBD , complete with shops, cafes and a botanical gardens, and just a stone’s throw from Sydney’s Olympic Park, Auburn is buzzing with activity.

The median house price here is a cool $1.1 million, and once again land sizes are much smaller than those suburbs located further out. But, for those who seek the city lifestyle at a slightly cheaper price than average,this could be the spot for you.

Here’s what the locals say.

“Worked and owned a business in the area over 25 years. Great people and shopping areas with many cafes and restaurants. Good access to transport, very central to anywhere in Sydney metropolitan area.”

“A great option for those looking for easy access to Parramatta, the city, local walks and parklands. The food here is fantastic too, with all the conveniences of big shops, public transport and major roads at your fingertips, particularly since the extension of the M4. One of the few remaining affordable central suburbs within the new “inner west” east of Parramatta.”

Moving to Sydney

No matter which suburb you settle on, you will need to balance whether proximity to the city, or land size is more important to you.

When you’re ready to make the move, Upmove is here to ensure all your possessions arrive at your new Sydney home safely.

And, since we pride ourselves on affordability, it will be one less cost you need to worry about when it comes to finding the cheapest place to live in Sydney.