Skyline of Adelaide
Cost of Living: 82 1,402,394

Adelaide, Australia

South Australia's festival city with world-class wine regions, beautiful parklands, and affordable living.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 82

Below Average vs Australia Avg (100)

Housing Index 80

Affordable

Median Income A$72,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.0%

Job market health

Adelaide vs Australia Average

Cost of Living
Adelaide: 82
Australia Avg: 100
Housing Index
Adelaide: 80
Australia Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Adelaide: 32.5%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 32.5%
  • Sales Tax: 10.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: A$72,000
  • Unemployment: 5.0%
  • Population: 1,402,394

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 260/year
  • Summer High: 85°F
  • Winter Low: 45°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6b

Housing

  • Median Home: A$580,000
  • 1BR Rent: A$1600/mo

Cost of Living

Adelaide's cost of living index is 82 (Australia average = 100).

CategoryAdelaideNational AverageDifference
Overall82100-18.0%
Housing80100-20.0%

Data source: ABS, Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceA$580,000
Median Rent (1BR)A$1600/mo
Median Rent (2BR)A$2,000/mo
Price per Sq FtA$386

Data source: CoreLogic, Domain, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

A$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
A$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Adelaide:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityA$150
Heating & CoolingA$9Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterA$60Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)A$70Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesA$289Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: AER, Sydney Water, ACCC 2025

Remote Work Score

Adelaide scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
82
Rent
A$1600
Sunny Days
260
Tax
32.5%
Unemployment
5.0%
Climate
85°F / 45°F
Safety
0.8 homicides/100k
Population
1,402,394
Internet Speed
80 Mbps

Climate

Adelaide has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January65°F45°F2.5"
April70°F60°F2.8"
July85°F60°F1.5"
October65°F63°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6b

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Adelaide faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Wildfire High Risk

Bushfire-prone region.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Cyclone High Risk

Significant cyclone risk.

Flood Moderate Risk

Flash floods.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Eastern Australia experiences tornadoes.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in interior regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 32.5%
  • Sales Tax: 10%
  • Property Tax: ~0.5% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Adelaide per 100,000 residents:

365.0
Violent Crime
2,605.0
Property Crime
0.8
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Academic Year Late January to December
Term System Quarter — Term 1 (Jan-Apr), Term 2 (Apr-Jun), Term 3 (Jul-Sep), Term 4 (Oct-Dec)
Summer Break December to January (6 weeks)
Winter Break July (2 weeks)
Spring Break April (2 weeks, Easter)

SA Department for Education sets the calendar.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#210
Top University Rank
1
Top 500 Universities
Top-Ranked University University of Adelaide

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Adelaide, Australia?

The cost of living index in Adelaide is 82, which is Lower the Australia national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Adelaide?

The median home price in Adelaide is A$580,000. The housing index is 80.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Adelaide is approximately A$1600/mo.

Does Adelaide, SA have income tax?

Adelaide is in SA, which has an income tax rate of 32.5%.

What is the climate like in Adelaide?

Adelaide enjoys approximately 260 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 85°F, while winter lows can drop to around 45°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: ABS, Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: CoreLogic, Domain, 2026
  • Income & Employment: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities AER, Sydney Water, ACCC 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.