Eight in 10 Sydneysiders think cost of living pressures have intensified over the past year and just one in five say they could find affordable housing in their local area.

An Ipsos poll of Sydney residents for advocacy group the Committee for Sydney has drawn attention to voter anxiety over personal finances ahead of next week’s state budget.

Most affected were those aged over 50 – in that Sydney age cohort 87 per cent feel cost of living pressures had worsened during the past year compared with 77 per cent of 18-34 year-olds and 81 per cent of 35-49 year olds (the city-wide the average of 82 per cent).

Wages have flat-lined and cost of living has increased in Sydney. Credit:Jim Rice

Dr Shane Oliver, the Sydney-based chief economist at AMP Capital, said that while the overall rate of inflation was low, consumers are especially sensitive to price increases in necessities like electricity, petrol and health services.