Cost of Living in Adelaide: General Overview
Adelaide is the coastal capital of South Australia and is known for its vibrant cultural scene, beautiful parks and high quality of life. Regarding the cost of living, Adelaide is a relatively affordable option compared to other major Australian cities such as Sydney and Melbourne. Housing costs for Adelaide residents are low, utilities are reasonable, and dining and entertainment options are varied and affordable. However, it is important to note that the cost of living in Adelaide can vary greatly depending on individual lifestyle choices and personal circumstances.
| Particulars | Expenses (Per Month) |
|---|---|
| Off-Campus Accommodation | AU$ 900-1200 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | AU$ 1300-1500 |
| Transportation | AU$ 100-150 |
| Food | AU$ 800-900 |
| Utilities | AU$ 300-400 |
| Entertainment | AU$ 90-120 |
| Clothes | AU$ 120-150 |
Cost of Living in Adelaide: Daily Life
Living in Adelaide, daily expenses are essential. From spending money on food and drinks to entertainment, every aspect of your life requires certain costs. Below is an article about daily expenses in Adelaide to help you understand the various living costs in Adelaide.
Food
In Adelaide, food and drink costs are relatively high. That is to say; many restaurants and snack bars in the city centre offer various flavours.
Restaurants: There is a wide variety of dining options, and the average meal cost is around AUD$20 to AUD$50, depending on the location and choice of food.
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 30.00 A$ |
|---|---|
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 213.25 A$ |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 15.00 A$ |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | 12.00 A$ |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 14.00 A$ |
| Cappuccino (regular) | 6.13 A$ |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | 4.33 A$ |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | 3.62 A$ |
Cafes and snack bars: A cup of coffee and a snack will cost around A$5 to A$15.
Supermarkets and grocery shops: Cooking your meals is a relatively economical option. Purchasing ingredients and daily necessities will cost approximately AUD$100 to AUD$200 per week.
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 2.64 A$ |
|---|---|
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | 4.21 A$ |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | 3.95 A$ |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | 6.85 A$ |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | 18.20 A$ |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | 14.19 A$ |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | 21.68 A$ |
| Apples (1kg) | 4.87 A$ |
| Banana (1kg) | 4.78 A$ |
| Oranges (1kg) | 5.70 A$ |
| Tomato (1kg) | 7.02 A$ |
| Potato (1kg) | 4.71 A$ |
| Onion (1kg) | 3.73 A$ |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 4.11 A$ |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 3.22 A$ |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 20.00 A$ |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 8.26 A$ |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 8.81 A$ |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | 40.00 A$ |
Entertainment
Many entertainment activities and venues in Adelaide cater to different groups of people.
Cinema: The average ticket price to watch a movie is about AUD$15 to AUD$25.
Theatre and concerts: Tickets to attend a concert or watch a play cost between AUD$20 and AUD$80.
Sports and fitness: The cost of joining a gym or participating in a sporting activity varies depending on the gym and activity, but it usually ranges between AED 50 and AED 300 per month.
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | 81.87 A$ |
|---|---|
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | 31.08 A$ |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | 24.00 A$ |
Parks and outdoor activities: It’s free to enjoy Adelaide’s parks and outdoor venues, such as the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and Greer Beach.
Mobile Networks
Living in Adelaide, apart from the basic expenses of food, clothing, accommodation and travelling, keeping in touch with your family and friends is important. Therefore, choosing the right phone package and internet service is essential. Below is a detailed introduction to Adelaide’s daily telephone
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | 46.50 A$ |
|---|---|
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | 95.48 A$ |
Telephone Packages
In Adelaide, the primary telephone operators are Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Each operator offers a wide range of package options to meet the needs of different users.
Basic Package: These packages usually include a certain amount of free airtime and SMS at a relatively low price. The cost ranges from about AED 30 to AED 50 per month.
Mid-range packages: offer more talk time and texts and may include some mobile data traffic—costs around AU$50 to AU$80 per month.
Premium packages usually offer a lot of talk time, SMS and mobile data traffic and are suitable for users who need a lot of talk and traffic. The cost is approximately between AU$80 and AU$150 per month.
Internet Costs
ADSL Broadband: ADSL broadband service is available for those who use a landline line. The cost varies according to different operators and packages but usually ranges between AUD30 and AUD60 monthly.
Fibre optic broadband: Fibre optic broadband is a faster and more stable way to access the internet. It can be slightly more expensive than ADSL broadband, costing between AU$50 and AU$100 monthly.
Mobile data traffic: Smartphones and tablets require a mobile data traffic package. The cost varies according to operators and packages but generally ranges between AUD20 and AUD100 monthly.
Other considerations
Contracts and liquidated damages: Many phone and internet service providers will require customers to sign a contract for a specific time. If the contract is terminated early, liquidated damages may be required. Therefore, when choosing a service, read the contract terms carefully to understand the fees and restrictions.
Compare prices of different service providers: Prices offered by different service providers may vary, so it is advisable to make comparisons before choosing a service to ensure you get the best value for money.
Consider Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is accessible in many public places such as cafes, restaurants and libraries, so if there is not a significant demand for mobile data, some savings can be made.
Offers for international students: Many service providers offer specific packages or discounts for international students. International students are advised to consider relevant offers to save expenses.
Cost of Living in Adelaide: Transport
Adelaide, a big city in Australia, has a well-developed transport network, providing various transport options for citizens and tourists. Below are some of the main transport options in Adelaide and their costs:
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | 4.70 A$ | 4.00–5.50 |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | 121.83 A$ | 105.00–163.10 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | 5.00 A$ | 4.00–5.00 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | 3.00 A$ | 1.87–3.50 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | 60.00 A$ | 39.30–66.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 1.93 A$ | 1.70–2.41 |
Bus: Adelaide’s bus system is the city’s most widely covered mode of transport. A single journey ticket usually costs around A$3, while weekly and monthly tickets cost A$30 and A$95, respectively.
Tram: Adelaide has a historic tram line that runs through the city centre’s main attractions. A single ride costs around A$3, while weekly and monthly passes cost A$27 and A$95, respectively.
Train: Adelaide’s trains are the primary mode of transport connecting the city to the suburbs. A one-way ticket from the city centre to the suburbs costs around AUD$5, while a return ticket costs AUD$8.
Taxi: Taxi are relatively expensive in Adelaide. The starting price from the airport to the city centre is AUD$30, and after that, it costs around AUD$2.60 per kilometre.
Self-drive car hire: Self-drive car hire is convenient for tourists and those who need to travel frequently. Prices for car hire in Adelaide vary depending on the car’s model and the rental period’s length, usually between AUD$30 and AUD$100 per day.
By Plane: Adelaide Airport offers flight services on domestic and international routes. Flight prices vary depending on the season and airline, with a typical one-way flight from Adelaide to Melbourne costing between a few hundred and a thousand Australian dollars.
Overall, transport costs in Adelaide are relatively high, but with sensible planning and choosing the proper mode of transport, travelling costs can be effectively controlled.
Cost of Living in Adelaide: Education
Universities in Adelaide mainly include the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia and Flinders University.
Tuition fees at the University of Adelaide range from AUD 23,000 to AUD 28,000 annually.
The University of South Australia‘s fees vary depending on the programme and are roughly between AUD 27,000 and AUD 38,000 (about Rs. 130,000 to Rs. 180,000) annually.
On the other hand, Flinders University‘s tuition fees vary depending on the program and are generally between AUD 27,000~38,000 (about RMB 130,000~180,000).
Cost of Living in Adelaide: Accommodation
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | 2,205.28 A$ |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | 1,657.46 A$ |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | 3,925.26 A$ |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | 2,589.52 A$ |
Accommodation costs are one of the significant expenses for international students and visitors in Adelaide. Various accommodation options are available, from flats to hotels, and the costs vary. Below, you will find detailed information about accommodation costs in Adelaide, including the rent for each room type and the cost of utilities.
Apartments/Houses
Studio Apartment: This type of accommodation is usually located in the city or an area with good transport links and rents for between AUD$1,500 and AUD$3,000 per month. Utility costs are generally around AUD100 to AUD200 per month, depending on the facilities and usage of the flat.
One-bedroom flats: One-bedroom flats are usually fully furnished with kitchen and bathroom facilities and can be rented for around AUD$1,800 to AUD$3,500 per month. Water and electricity grids cost between A$100 and A$300 per month.
Two or three-bedroom flats: Suitable for families or friends and cost between A$2,500 and A$5,000 per month—the electricity and water grid costs around AUD 200 to AUD 400 monthly.
Hotel/Youth Hostel
Hotels: Adelaide has a number of star-rated hotels and medium-priced hotels, with prices ranging from AUD$150 to AUD$300 per night. The cost of the utility grid is usually included in the room rate.
Hostels: Hostels are ideal for travellers on a budget, with beds ranging from A$30 to A$70 per night. Water and electricity grid fees may be extra.
Homestay
Homestay is a good option for students and travellers who want to experience the local culture and family atmosphere. Fees vary depending on the family providing accommodation and usually range from A$250 to A$450 per week, including utility grid fees.
Overall, accommodation costs in Adelaide vary depending on room type, location and facilities. It is advisable to plan your budget in advance and carefully compare the prices and features of different accommodation options to ensure you find the best fit.
Book Student Accommodation in Adelaide
Renting an apartment can be a big problem if you want to study in Adelaide. uhomes.com offers a huge range of affordable and comfortable student accommodation for Adelaide students at the cheapest student flat rentals! Apart from Adelaide, you can also rent luxury or budget suites, studio flats, and private or shared rooms with various amenities in student accommodation in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, and Brisbane.
FAQ
Is Adelaide an affordable city to live in?
While affordability is subjective, Adelaide generally offers a lower living cost than other major Australian cities.
How much does accommodation cost in Adelaide?
The accommodation cost in Adelaide varies depending on the location and type of property. On average, renting a one-bedroom apartment can range from $300 to $500 per week.
Are groceries expensive in Adelaide?
Grocery prices in Adelaide are generally reasonable, with various options available. It is possible to find affordable fresh produce and everyday essentials.
What about transportation costs in Adelaide?
Adelaide has a well-connected public transport system, including buses, trains, and trams. The cost of a single trip ticket starts at around $3.50, while monthly passes can be purchased for approximately $90.
Is healthcare expensive in Adelaide?
Australia has public healthcare system, Medicare, provides free or subsidized medical services. Additionally, private health insurance options are available for those seeking additional coverage.
