Affordability check · Sydney · NSW
Can I afford to live in Kensington on $180,000/yr?
Yes, comfortably
Weekly take-home
$2,470/wk
1BR median rent
$829/wk
Leftover after rent + tax + costs
$1,217/wk
Rent share of gross
24%
The verdict
Kensington on $180,000/yr
On $180,000/yr, Kensington is comfortably affordable: about $1,217/wk left after rent, tax and typical living costs.
Salary needed (30% rule)
$143,693
/yr gross
Above 30% rule by
$36,307
/yr
Take-home (after tax)
$128,462
/yr
Annual rent
$43,108
median
Household:
Where your salary goes
$180,000/yr gross · $3,462/wk · single household
Tax + Medicare
$992/wk
29%
1BR rent
$829/wk
24%
Essentials
$424/wk
12%
Discretionary
$1,217/wk
35%
Essentials use indicative averages (groceries, transport, utilities, insurance, other). Adjust them in the budget tool below.
On $180,000/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
Nearby suburbs at this salary
5 closest suburbs, affordability verdict on $180,000/yr
Cheaper suburbs you can afford on this salary
Within reach of Kensington, under the 30% rule on $180,000/yr
Surry Hills
Sydney, NSW · 3.2km from Kensington
$835/wk
Save $15/wk Darlinghurst
Sydney, NSW · 3.6km from Kensington
$835/wk
Save $15/wk Redfern
Sydney, NSW · 2.6km from Kensington
$830/wk
Save $20/wk Kingsford
Sydney, NSW · 1.9km from Kensington
$829/wk
Save $21/wk Daceyville
Sydney, NSW · 2km from Kensington
$829/wk
Save $21/wk Same suburb, adjacent salary brackets
How affordability shifts in Kensington with a pay change
What if I earned more or less?
Same suburb, different brackets
Want the full Kensington guide?
Schools, transport, crime, rent trend and demographics
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