Salary Comparison

iOS Developer Salary:
Melbourne vs Sydney

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Melbourne
$146,529
/ year
-4%
difference
Sydney
$152,619
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Melbourne
Sydney
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$146,529
$152,619โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$94,760
$98,698โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$226,581
$235,998โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$99,640โœ“ higher
$94,624
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$117,223โœ“ higher
$113,051
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25ร—โœ“ lower
1.35ร—
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$144,035
$150,021โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$344,403
$358,717โœ“ higher

What if you move from Melbourne to Sydney?

Gross salary change
+$6,090
4% increase
Take-home change
$5,016
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,172
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Melbourne$146,529
P10: $144,035Median: $146,529P90: $344,403
Sydney$152,619
P10: $150,021Median: $152,619P90: $358,717

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a iOS Developer earn more in Melbourne or Sydney?

The median iOS Developer salary in Melbourne is A$222,724/yr compared to A$231,981/yr in Sydney. Sydney pays 4% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a iOS Developer salary worth more in Melbourne or Sydney after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Melbourne salary has the purchasing power of $117,223/yr in a median-cost city, vs $113,051/yr for Sydney. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a iOS Developer in Melbourne vs Sydney?

After estimated taxes, a iOS Developer in Melbourne takes home approximately $99,640/yr, vs $94,624/yr in Sydney. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.