I have noticed a post about the living comparison between Beijing & Melbourne（北京墨尔本生活的比较）, probably it's useful to outline Sydney expenses too :-D

ASSUMPTIONS: Working couple with 1 child (household income A$105k, 3 yrs working experience)

Mortgage Repayments Monthll $2,200.00

Strata Monthly $242.00

Local Council Rates Yearly $660.00

Water Rates Monthly $50.00

Electricity Monthly $50.00

Gas Monthly $50.00

Telephone (Home & Mobile) Monthly $120.00

Car Registration Yearly $750.00

Car Repairs - Maintenance Yearly $500.00

Vehicle Insurance ($1000 access) Monthly $72.00

Groceries Monthly $250.00

Meat Weekly $50.00

Eating Out Weekly (lunch only) $100.00

Child Care Monthly $1,300.00

Hairdreser/Barber Monthly $20.00

Holidays/Travel Yearly $2,800.00

Credit Cards Monthly $250.00

All expenses sum up A$67,758 per annum. After tax household income A$80,280.

Some stats:

39% expenses come from mortgage (32.9% income)

23% expenses come from childcare (19.4% income)