Are you thinking about making a move to South Australia?
When it comes to cost of living, Adelaide is one of the more affordable capital cities in the country.
While South Australia does have some of the highest utility costs in the country, housing prices are significantly less than the likes of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
It might have an unexciting nickname of ‘The City of Churches’, but Adelaide has plenty to see and do in the forms of festivals, sport, arts, culture, food and wine.
It’s a great place to live for those seeking reprieve from Australia’s bigger and busier capital cities – with the cheaper cost of living coming as a bonus.
Housing in Australia is the biggest factor when it comes to cost of living and Adelaide has a much more affordable property market.
In 2023, the median house price in Adelaide came in at $774,969 – compared to $1,395,218 in Sydney, $942,750 in Melbourne and $888,628 in Brisbane.
Adelaide’s median unit price was just $490,313 – compared to Sydney’s $828,525.
Rental prices are also more affordable than other cities.
For the December quarter of 2023, Adelaide’s median weekly rental price was $450 – below the national average of $600 and significantly less than Sydney’s average rent of $680.
For those living in Adelaide, housing is estimated to make up about 28 per cent of the total cost of living.
Residents in Adelaide spend the biggest portions of their household budgets on food and groceries.
One study showed that in 2023, South Australian households spent an average of $181 on groceries per week – lower than some other states.
However, price inflation of groceries in Adelaide has risen at a higher rate than other capital cities.
While their houses might be cheaper than some other capital cities, South Australian’s pay more for their utility bills.
As of December 2023, Canstar Blue research showed that the average quarterly electricity bill in South Australia was $352 – the second-highest of any state.
Average quarterly gas bills came in at $224 – also the second-highest in the country.
However, some of those higher rates are negated by South Australia’s average quarterly water bill of just $200 – the second-cheapest of any state.
Adelaide enjoyed the second-cheapest petrol prices of any major city in 2023, with prices for a litre of unleaded fuel averaging just 186 cents.
Comparatively, Melbourne drivers paid an average of 191.9 cents per litre, with Sydneysiders forking out an average of 190.7 cents per litre.
As of April 2024, the cost of a single trip on public transport for adults was $4.25 during peak travel times or $2.40 off-peak, with a daily cap of $11.70.
Adelaide has a strong food scene with a variety of options at different price points.
A meal at an affordable restaurant will generally cost between $20 and $30 – comparable to other Australian cities.
In 2023, the average price of a 0.5 litres of draught beer in Adelaide was $11.50.
While different studies show slightly different results, Adelaide is generally considered to be one of the most affordable cities to live in Australia.
A big reason for this is housing.
While housing costs have risen in Adelaide, the city is still far more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – particularly for those looking to buy.
At Fragile Removals & Storage, we are trusted removalist experts and help dozens of Australians make local and interstate moves each and every week.
If you are ready to make your next move, call us today on 1800 500 584 for top-quality service at a highly-competitive price.
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