Students with dreams of studying abroad in Adelaide and their most preferred colleges or universities are often perplexed by the humongous amount of preparation. First, they are required to calculate the cost of living in Adelaide and the cost of studying for their study duration along with the tedious and lengthy admission process.
To make things much easier for international students who are choosing Adelaide as their study destination in the coming years or are already ready to go, this blog will help you manage the cost of living in Adelaide along with a list of expenses that are likely to be incurred by the students. To know more in detail, please go through this blog till the end!go through this blog till the end!
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Cost of Living in Adelaide
The average cost of living in Adelaide for one person excluding housing rent according to the numbeo is around AUD 1,868. If we consider the apartment rent it is around AUD 1,600 to AUD 2600. However, the living expenses in Adelaide can vary depending on the standard of living, region, and preference of things.
As an international student, the average cost of living in Adelaide can be categorized under certain categories which majorly constitute our monthly bill. The categories have been listed below with the average cost related to it summarized under each head:
Also Read: Cost of Living in Lithuania: A Guide on Lithuania Expenses
Cost of Transportation in Adelaide
Adelaide is a flat city with hardly any major traffic around the region majorly because of its well-planned transportation system. There are options that can be chosen by the student to commute from one place to another. However, the cost of transportation is a significant part of the cost of living in Adelaide because you have to commute to your college every day.
For travelling through public transport which includes trains, trams, and buses, Adelaide has its famous Adelaide Metro Services which includes all the public transport of the region. As an international student, you will have to issue your own Adelaide metroCard which is a rechargeable card after a certain period of travel. Students are given a good discount on availing public transport in Adelaide.
Mode of Transport | Approx Cost |
Student 14-day pass on a MetroCard | AUD 25.60 |
Student 28-day pass on a MetroCard | AUD 42.11 |
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | AUD 4.40 |
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | AUD 120.00 |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | AUD 5.00 |
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | AUD 3.00 |
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | AUD 60.00 |
Gasoline (1 liter) | AUD 1.89 |
To get your student discount at the 28-day pass on a MetroCard, students must show some ID proof as a verification process. This metro card in Adelaide can be used in all public transport, including trams, trains, and buses in the region. There is also the availability of free bikes from Adelaide City Bikes going from one place to another which come with a bicycle helmet.
Cost of Restaurants Food in Adelaide
The cost of food and groceries can vary from place to place. In Adelaide, the average amount that can be spent on food in inexpensive restaurants is around AUD 29.50 and a meal for 2 people at a mid-range restaurant that includes three courses can go up to AUD 180.
For students who are more likely to go out often for eating out at nearby restaurants can also range as per the luxury and aesthetics of the places. Some of the best top restaurants that are affordable to students in Adelaide are:
- Dine Central
- Pondok Daun Restaurant
- East Taste Cafe
- Bank Street Social
- Mandoo
- Chinatown Cafe
Eating out in Adelaide can be more expensive than cooking in your room and can affect your budget for the cost of living in Adelaide. So it is a good idea to buy groceries and prepare meals at your place.
Also Read: Cost of Living in Indiana: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Grocery in Adelaide
The price of groceries in Adelaide is comparable to many other major cities in Australia, but it is essential to compare grocery prices to get the most suitable value for your money. The cost of groceries there can have a direct impact on the overall cost of living in Adelaide. In the following table, we have provided an overview of average grocery expenses in Adelaide:
Grocery Item | Approx Cost |
1 litre of Regular Milk | AUD 2.13 |
1kg white Rice | AUD 3.75 |
500g Bread (White) | AUD 3.99 |
1kg Apples | AUD 4.76 |
1kg Oranges | AUD 5.83 |
1kg Banana | AUD 4.53 |
1kg Tomato | AUD 6.91 |
1kg Onion | AUD 3.79 |
1kg Potato | AUD 4.49 |
Lettuce (1 head) | AUD 3.51 |
1.5 litre Water bottle | AUD 3.17 |
Cost of Utility Expenses in Adelaide
The utility expenses include electricity, gas, telephone or internet access and other expenses. The monthly utility cost for a one-bedroom apartment in Adelaide could be around AUD 449. It depends on the use and size of the apartment.
Budgeting for utility expenses is essential when planning your monthly cost of living in Adelaide as it is a primary part of it. An overview of the average cost of utility bills in Adelaide is given in the table below:
Utility Type | Utility Name | Approx. Cost |
Basic Utility Bills | Water, Electricity, Heating, Cooling, and Garbage | CAD 449 |
Monthly Plan Mobile Phone | including Calls and 10GB+ Data | CAD 40 |
Internet | Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly | CAD 89 |
Cost of Accommodation in Adelaide
The type of accommodation can vary depending on students’ preferences as well as college requirements. Accommodation usually takes a good chunk of your expenses from the cost of living in Adelaide as an international student and therefore should be considered in detail. Following can be different types of accommodation that can be chosen by the students:
- Campus Accommodation: Usually colleges and universities in Adelaide provide residence facilities to its students in terms of hostel rooms, dormitories etc. This can be preferred immensely by international students who are not completely aware of their new destination.
- Off-Campus Accommodation: For reasons, including not having residence facilities in college or choosing cheaper accommodation types, students often prefer accommodation near the college campus with affordable prices. This can be understood as an apartment with basic amenities like washrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, etc.
- Share-House Accommodation: This can be the cheapest type of accommodation that can be preferred by international students. This style of accommodation provides a flat to more than one individual with the basic facilities as is present in a normal flat. This helps in splitting up the expenses and bringing down the overall expenditure.
For your convenience, we have put together some data on the average cost of housing of various flats located inside and outside the city centre of Adelaide.
Apartment | Location | Approx. Monthly Cost |
Apartment of One-bedroom | in the City Centre | AUD 2,132 |
Apartment of Three-bedroom | in the City Centre | AUD 3,733 |
Apartment of One-bedroom | Outside of Centre | AUD 1,605 |
Apartment of Three-bedroom | Outside of Centre | AUD 2,495 |
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Universities in Adelaide & Their Average Fees
Apart from the budget for the cost of living in Adelaide, the other huge stress for students is the university fees that must be paid before incurring any other expenses. Adelaide provides some of the best universities and colleges in Australia and is one of the top spots for international students. The average fees of some of the best universities in Adelaide have been listed below:
University name | Average Fees |
University of Adelaide | AUD 18,480 – AUD 20,000 per semester |
University of South Australia | AUD 10,000 for 4 courses |
Flinders University | AUD 31,400 – AUD 40,900 annually |
Carnegie Mellon University ( Australian campus) | AUD 70,000- AUD 95,000 total course fees |
Torrens University | AUD 80,000 total course fees |
Cost of Living in Adelaide Compared to Other Cities
Adelaide is generally considered a relatively high place to live compared to some cities in Australia. When comparing the cost of living in Adelaide to other cities, several factors come into play, including housing, transportation, dining, and entertainment.
So to give you an idea of how the cost of living in Adelaide compares to other cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Brampton, Halifax, Calgary, and Ottawa. We’ve given the cost of living (not including rent) in other countries. Please have a look:
Cost of Living City Wise | Average Cost of living | Comparison with Cost of Living in Adelaide |
Cost of Living in Sydney | AUD 1,722 | Lower than Adelaide |
Cost of Living in Toronto | AUD 1662 | Lower than Adelaide |
Cost of Living in Melbourne | AUD 1,587 | Lower than Adelaide |
Cost of Living in the UK | AUD 1565 | Lower than Adelaide |
Cost of Living in Brisbane | AUD 1,640 | Lower than Adelaide |
Cost of Living in Perth | AUD 1,659 | Lower than Adelaide |
Cost of Living in Auckland | AUD 1643 | Lower than Adelaide |
Cost of Living in London | AUD 2135 | Higher than Adelaide |
Cost of Living in Canberra | AUD 1,928 | Higher than Adelaide |
Cost of Living in Singapore | AUD 1684 | Lower than Adelaide |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Brussels: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Why Choose Adelaide to Study Abroad?
Adelaide is not just a beautiful and clean place to enjoy but can be an excellent place to study. Along with the high cost of living in Adelaide, it provides high living standards and an advanced education system to its students.
A beautiful city in mainland Australia provides many opportunities and happenings to students from across the world. There are many reasons for choosing Adelaide as your study destination. Some of the reasons have been listed below:
- Top Universities of the world– There are some of the best universities in Adelaide giving top-notch academic as well as research and other opportunities to students from across the world.
- Swift Transport System– For any student, one of the major points of concern while choosing a study destination abroad comes down to its transport system and average commute time taken during normal travel. Adelaide has an amazing transport system, excellently interlinked to its places which creates much ease for the students there.
- Affordability– One of the best things about Adelaide with regard to international students is its affordability. Students choosing abroad as a study destination are often concerned about their bills. Adelaide is one of the most affordable places for international students.
- Career Opportunities– The place does not fail its students to provide the best opportunities and scope for its students. The universities in Adelaide along with providing excellent academics also boast great internship, part-time and full-time opportunities for its students.
- Quality of Life– Adelaide ranks as one of the best places in Australia for the quality of life of its citizens. The students enjoy a life with security, good food places, high-speed internet, low crime rates and other well-being.
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FAQs on the Cost of Living in Adelaide
Answer: The average monthly cost of living in Adelaide for an individual is roughly AUD 1,868, without including the rent. The estimated cost of housing rent ranges from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2600.
Ans: The average cost of living in Adelaide for one person excluding rent is around AUD 1,868. This city is a little bit expensive compared to the rest of Canada and yet you can live a good quality of life here.
Ans: The average cost of housing rent in Adelaide ranges from AUD 1,600 to AUD 2600. However, this amount may change according to the area of living, size of the apartment, distance from the city centre and university and many more.
Ans. Yes, for international students, it is compulsory that they submit the document showing their health insurance while applying for universities in Australia.
Ans. Indians constitute the highest percentage of the non-English speaking population in Adelaide, close to 3.1% of the total population.
Ans. Most Indians live in regions like Keswich, Ashford, and Marleston in Adelaide.
This was all related to the Cost of Living in Adelaide. If you want to know more about the Study Abroad queries, you can come in contact with the Leverage Edu team at 1800 57 2000.