Life in Sydney
The Life in Sydney survey is an annual survey created by Ipsos Public Affairs in partnership with the Committee for Sydney asking Sydneysiders. It sets the scene on the big issues facing Sydney at the start of each year.
Below you can find the 2021 to 2026 Life in Sydney reports proudly co-created by Ipsos Public Affairs and the Committee for Sydney as well as a summary of the most recent report.
2026 Life in Sydney summary
Ipsos delivers the annual Life in Sydney Report in partnership with the Committee for Sydney. The report offers an essential snapshot of the key issues and sentiments steering the lives of Sydneysiders. Each year, these findings are presented at the Sydney Summit, crucial half-day leadership conference where Sydney's key decision-makers and thought leaders congregate. The theme for the 2026 summit is the ‘Bold City’ – with an election one year out, the focus is on a bold vision for the future of Sydney.
Based on a representative survey of 1,000 people across Greater Sydney, Life in Sydney 2026 show Sydneysiders continue to value life in this city, with overall satisfaction remaining stable. Cost of living and housing pressures remain the most significant concerns shaping daily life; however, while many Sydneysiders are still doing it tough, the data points to a gradual softening of these pressures compared to recent years, alongside a growing sense of confidence about future financial security. As this pressure eases, perceptions of Sydney’s liveability have strengthened, with renewed confidence allowing people to more positively engage with the city’s many leisure experiences, public spaces and cultural facilities.
The 2026 results highlight a city increasingly open to change. Support for increased density continues to grow, including in people’s own suburbs, reflecting recognition of the role density can play in improving access to housing, jobs, transport and vibrant local centres. At the same time, the research reveals clear generational differences: younger Sydneysiders and renters are less likely to feel socially connected, understand plans for their local area, or believe they have a meaningful voice in shaping change.
Crucially, Sydneysiders are signalling an appetite for bold leadership. There is strong support for long-term decision-making, investment in infrastructure, and taking calculated risks to secure Sydney’s future liveability. Yet understanding of plans for Sydney’s future remains low, highlighting a gap between the community’s desire for bold vision and confidence that such a vision is being clearly communicated.
Technical notes
The Life in Sydney Report is conducted annually via online panel. Each year approximately 1000 Sydneysiders adults aged 18+ are asked a series of questions about their their quality of life in Sydney and a range of different issues in Sydney. Data is weighted to match the profile of the population.
The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.5 percentage points and of 500 accurate to +/- 4.8 percentage points. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/2017-03/IpsosPA_CredibilityIntervals.pdf
Polling Methodology Disclosure Statements
Ipsos believes in transparency around the polling we undertake. Further to this, and as a founding member of the Australian Polling Council, we are pleased to comply with the Council’s Code of Conduct, including making available a Methodology Disclosure Statement around each of the our published polls, including our Ipsos Issues Monitor. These statements can be accessed here.
