Cost of Living: Melbourne vs. Adelaide

Melbourne and Adelaide in Australia are two highly attractive cities that are not only popular destinations for students and migrants, but also known for their unique lifestyles and costs. However, when it comes to the cost of living, there are clear differences. Here’s a comparison of daily costs in Melbourne and Adelaide in terms of accommodation, eating, drinking, and transport.

Table of Contents

Accommodation

In terms of accommodation costs, Melbourne and Adelaide have a more obvious difference.

Accommodation Cost in Melbourne

The accommodation cost in Melbourne is expensive, especially the apartments in the city centre and the student housing Melbourne near campuses.

Regular apartments: The rent for One-bedroom apartment is around AUD $400 to AUD $600 per week.
Student accommodation: The cost of Melbourne city student accommodation is about AUD $250 to AUD $500 per week, which depends on locations and amenities.

Accommodation Cost in Adelaide

Whether the student accommodation, or the apartments in the city centre, the rentals are more affordable than those in Melbourne.

Regular apartments: Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around AUD $300 – AUD $400 per week.
Student accommodation: uhomes.com offers affordable student accommodation in Adelaide Australia, costing around AUD 200 – AUD 300 per week, and is suitable for those on a budget.

uhomes.com offers cost-effective student accommodation in both Melbourne and Adelaide, with various room types, modern amenities, safe security, convenient transportation, clear cost information, and attentive consultant services.

Rich choice: The platform covers a variety of room types, including single rooms, individual studios, and shared apartments.
Security: All accommodation is strictly audited to ensure security.
Easy search: Use the location filter function to find the nearest accommodation to the school or transportation hub.
Price transparency: clear cost information for easy comparison and selection.
Customer support: The 24/7 professional customer service team provides students with a full range of support, from booking to check-in.

Eating & Drinking

Eating & Drinking Cost in Melbourne

As Australia’s cultural and gastronomic capital, Melbourne offers a myriad of dining options, from Michelin-starred restaurants to street cafes.

Dining costs: In Melbourne, a typical restaurant meal is around AUD $20 – AUD $25, while high-end restaurants can spend as much as AUD $50 – AUD $100 per person.
Grocery costs: In Melbourne, buying groceries costs around AUD $80 to AUD $200 per week.
Coffee culture: A cup of coffee costs around AUD $4 – AUD $5.

Eating & Drinking Cost in Adelaide

In comparison, the pace of life in Adelaide is slower, but the food and entertainment activities are no less impressive.

Dining costs: In Adelaide, around AUD $15 – AUD $20 a meal in a normal restaurant, and between AUD $40 – AUD $80 in a high-end restaurant.
Grocery costs: It is around AUD $80 to AUD $120 weekly on groceries, depending on your eating habits and lifestyle.
Coffee culture: The average price of a cup of coffee is AUD $3.50 – AUD $4, slightly lower than that in Melbourne.

Entertainment

Melbourne and Adelaide are neck-and-neck when it comes to entertainment spending.

Entertainment Costs in Melbourne

Melbourne’s nightlife and arts culture are rich, with movie tickets costing around $20 and live shows or concerts usually costing upwards of $50.

Entertainment Costs in Adelaide

Adelaide is famous for its wineries and arts festivals. Movie tickets cost around AUD $18, and a winery tour or event usually costs between AUD $30 – AUD $70.

Transportation

Transportation Costs in Melbourne

Melbourne has a well-developed public transport system, including trams, trains and buses, covering the entire city and surrounding areas.

Public transport costs: Using a Myki card, a one-way ticket costs AUD $4.60 (valid within two hours), with a daily cap of around AUD $9.20.
Taxis and ride-hailing: Taxis and ride-hailing are more expensive, with short rides costing around AUD $20 – AUD $30.
Cycling: Public bike hire is also available in Melbourne for around AUD $3 per hour.

Transportation Costs in Adelaide

Public transport network in Adelaide, while less developed than that in Melbourne, is relatively cheap and efficient.

Public transport costs: Using MetroCARD, a one-way ticket costs AUD $4 and a student ticket costs AUD $2.10.
Taxis and ride-hailing: Taxis and ride-hailing are also the popular alternative modes of transport, relatively inexpensive, costing around AUD $15 – AUD $25 for short rides.
Cycling and walking: The smaller Adelaide city is very convenient for walking and cycling which is not only cheap but also good for health.

Conclusion

Overall, Melbourne and Adelaide have different characteristics in terms of daily spending: Melbourne is more expensive, but offers a greater variety of entertainment options and cultural activities. Adelaide is more affordable, but still offers a good quality of life and a wealth of experiential opportunities. No matter which city you choose, you can enjoy the convenience and joy of the city to the maximum, ensuring that your study and life are more comfortable and convenient.