Affordability check · Sydney · NSW

Can I afford to live in Kensington on $120,000/yr?

Tight, it's a stretch
Weekly take-home
$1,746/wk
1BR median rent
$829/wk
Leftover after rent + tax + costs
$493/wk
Rent share of gross
36%

The verdict

Kensington on $120,000/yr

On $120,000/yr, Kensington is a stretch, since rent crosses the 30% rental-stress threshold. About $493/wk left for everything else.

Salary needed (30% rule)
$143,693
/yr gross
Short of 30% rule by
$23,693
/yr
Take-home (after tax)
$90,812
/yr
Annual rent
$43,108
median
Household:

Where your salary goes

$120,000/yr gross · $2,308/wk · single household

Tax + Medicare
$562/wk
24%
1BR rent
$829/wk
36%
Essentials
$424/wk
18%
Discretionary
$493/wk
21%

Essentials use indicative averages (groceries, transport, utilities, insurance, other). Adjust them in the budget tool below.

On $120,000/yr: weekly budget

$1,253/week total

Rent
$829/wk
Groceries
$180/wk
Transport
$55/wk
Utilities
$55/wk
Insurance
$45/wk
Other
$89/wk

Cheaper suburbs you can afford on this salary

Within reach of Kensington, under the 30% rule on $120,000/yr

Haymarket
Sydney, NSW · 3.8km from Kensington
$600/wk
Save $250/wk
Ultimo
Sydney, NSW · 4.2km from Kensington
$600/wk
Save $250/wk

Same suburb, adjacent salary brackets

How affordability shifts in Kensington with a pay change

Want the full Kensington guide?
Schools, transport, crime, rent trend and demographics
Kensington full guide →

This suburb affordability view is one layer of your NestLedger: rent, salary and household cost context for Australian money decisions.

Estimates only. Not financial advice. See methodology. Read more