Cairnsis 18% cheaper — BDI "Pricey" (37/10) vs Sydney "Pricey" (35/10). Dorms avg $35/night vs $40/night.
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇦🇺 Cairns | 🇦🇺 Sydney | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
brokepackr Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $50 cheaper | $61 | $11/day |
backpackr Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $90 cheaper | $103 | $12/day |
flashpackr Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $145 cheaper | $156 | $12/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇦🇺 Cairns | 🇦🇺 Sydney |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $15.64 27% less | $21.32 |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $42.65 12% less | $48.67 |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $7.11 | $7.11 |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $4.44 | $3.87 13% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $3.55 11% less | $3.98 |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇦🇺▼
Cairns
Australia
37
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $35/night). Strong hostel scene (15 hostels).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelTravellers Oasis (9.6)
Annual dorm avg$35/night
Total hostels15
🇦🇺▼
Sydney
Australia
35
BDI: Pricey
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Higher dorm prices (avg $40/night). Strong hostel scene (15 hostels).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelLord Wolseley (10.0)
Annual dorm avg$40/night
Total hostels15
Flights
Getting There
City to City
Getting Between Cairns & Sydney
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Cairns or Sydney cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Cairns vs Sydney?+
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