London vs Sydney for Software Engineers (2026)
The HackerX talent pool has 1,888 developers in London and 1,163 developers in Sydney. Compare developer supply, in-demand stacks, estimated salary bands, cost of living and upcoming HackerX hiring events below.
London
| Junior (0–2 yrs) | £40K – £60K |
| Mid-level (2–5 yrs) | £60K – £85K |
| Senior (5–8 yrs) | £85K – £120K |
| Staff+ (8+ yrs) | £110K – £160K |
Salary figures are 2026 market estimates, not HackerX data. See the London salary guide.
Sydney
| Junior (0–2 yrs) | A$80K – A$105K |
| Mid-level (2–5 yrs) | A$105K – A$140K |
| Senior (5–8 yrs) | A$135K – A$180K |
| Staff+ (8+ yrs) | A$170K – A$220K |
Salary figures are 2026 market estimates, not HackerX data. See the Sydney salary guide.
Cost of living & pay, side by side
Cost of living in London is roughly 2% higher than in Sydney (estimated cost-of-living index London 82 vs Sydney 80, where New York = 100). These are estimates for guidance only.
London: London is Europe's highest-paying tech market. In nominal terms salaries are below US hubs, but US-headquartered companies in London frequently pay 20–40% above local bands.
Sydney: Sydney is Australia's highest-paying tech market, roughly 5–10% above Melbourne, with fintech and two global product companies (Atlassian, Canva) driving the top of the market.
Ready to make a move?
Developers: create a free HackerX profile and get invited to hiring events. Employers: meet vetted engineers in these cities.