Why is Melbourne’s housing still so much cheaper than Sydney’s?

Despite Melbourne’s vacancy rates being Australia’s lowest, the city’s median rent is still $180 lower than Sydney’s. Photograph: Charlie Rogers/Getty Images

Sydneysiders have heard before – a friend, family member, or colleague moves to Melbourne for significantly cheaper housing.

Whether they buy or rent, Melburnians are, on average, spending less on housing than Sydneysiders, enough to entice anyone struggling with Sydney’s seemingly impossible housing market.