Australia : Cost of Living by City
Cost of Living in Australia
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Adelaide?
As a country that promises a perfect future and an amazing living conditions, Australia is often a place where people from all over the globe dream of moving to.
The major cities are usually the areas that tend to be settled by foreigners and Adelaide is one of them.
Being less expensive than Sydney, Adelaide represents a popular and very wise choice.
Its beaches, enjoyable weather and modern lifestyle attract numerous people and that is why this city bears the title of one the most desirable cities in Australia.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Adelaide
RESTAURANTS
In restaurants throughout Adelaide, you can either get a meal for two at the price of $12 or $70, depending on the range of the restaurant.
You will need to pay even $5 for a beer and $3.50 for a coffee which is considered expensive.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $12.11 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $4.99 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $2.00 |
MARKETS
It can be said that Adelaide has more expensive groceries than many other major cities around the world.
Depending on your budget and desires, a weekly shopping can take from $100 to $300.
You might need to pay a loaf of bread around $1.65 and milk is $1.00.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.03 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.65 |
| Eggs (12) | $3.12 |
TRANSPORTATION
No matter whether decide to use train, bus or ferry for commuting in Adelaide, you should be aware that the public transport has reasonable prices and has significantly cheaper single trip tickets than many other public transports in the world.
On the other hand, what it offers is better service and functioning.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $3.50 |
| Monthly Pass | $70.51 |
| Gasoline | $1.05 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
If you are planning to move to Adelaide, knowing the living costs is an important part of your financial preparation, and that does not only include the rent, but the utilities as well.
Basic utilities, including electricity, gas and the Internet for your apartment can reach $300 a month.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $169.62 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.10 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $53.34 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
As Australia is a country where people tend to exercise a lot, gym memberships are not at all high.
The tennis courts are even far too cheap than in less developed countries.
Besides swimming, people in Adelaide take advantage of great weather and do exercises outdoors.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $38.72 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $3.56 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $10.68 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
Clothes and shoes in Adelaide will cost you a lot.
You will need to pay more for clothing items in Adelaide, but not as much as in Sydney.
Those prices are much higher than in less developed countries, due to the average monthly salaries which also differ.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $60.88 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $43.16 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $88.37 |
RENT PER MONTH
For those who are renting an apartment, location and size determine a price.
The difference in price between a flat in the city center and out of the city reaches even $300 or more.
In case you do not need to live in the city center, living out of it or in any of the smaller ones will save you money as the prices are more affordable.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1006.62 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $746.34 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1604.27 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Adelaide?
These days, Adelaide has become a destination with a high cost of living, but still very wanted one.
This is due to the higher quality of life and better living conditions.
People in Adelaide spend most of their earnings on food, which they most frequently buy at the local markets and stores, on rent, which is quite high, especially in the city center, and on transportation, which is expensive, but very well organized.
Restaurants are also commonly visited, but not so much money is spent there.
The least paid are clothes and shoes, maybe due to its high prices.
Average Costs Breakdown
Adelaide: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Being that the cost of living is extremely high in Adelaide, as in whole Australia, the wages are also higher so as ensure that people receive enough money to cover all of their expenses.
People coming there are often worried about the living cost factor.
However, if you live a normal, not too luxurious life, and earn an average monthly net salary in Adelaide, which reaches almost $3000, then you do not need to worry about your family existence there.
On the other hand, if you are earning salary somewhere else, make sure whether it will be high enough for living in Adelaide.
Adelaide Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Adelaide Safety Review
| OVERALL RISK | LOW |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK | LOW |
| PICKPOCKETS RISK | MEDIUM |
| NATURAL DISASTERS RISK | LOW |
| MUGGING RISK | LOW |
| TERRORISM RISK | MEDIUM |
| SCAMS RISK | LOW |
| WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK | LOW |
Cost of Living by City in Australia
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Brisbane |
70.46 |
| Canberra |
69.88 |
| Darwin |
72.47 |
| Gold Coast |
64.53 |
| Hobart |
69.1 |
| Melbourne |
74.53 |
| Newcastle |
71.42 |
| Perth |
75.09 |
| Sydney |
79.93 |
It’s interesting to think about how much the cost of living can influence the decision to move. While the allure of beaches and a modern lifestyle is tempting, sometimes it’s the financial aspect that really makes or breaks the dream of living in a place like Adelaide. It seems like a balancing act between enjoying what a city offers and managing the reality of expenses.
Isn’t it a bit puzzling how the cost of living in Adelaide stacks up against those ‘amazing living conditions’ you mentioned? What about those hidden expenses that often come up once you settle in?
It’s interesting to hear that Adelaide is more affordable than Sydney. I’ve always thought about how cost of living plays such a big role in finding the right place to call home. Does the lower cost really translate to a better quality of life, though? I wonder what the trade-offs might be.