Cost Of Living In Adelaide For Students [Updated 2024 -24]

Ever thought of or planning to study in South Australia? The capital of the ‘Festival State’, Adelaide, might be the perfect place to go for you. Adelaide is recognized for its diversified cultural scene, classic architecture, and exclusive city planning that sees Adelaide circled by parks on all sides, which makes for a picturesque and flourishing place to live and study. Compared to several other capital cities in Australia, Adelaide is quite affordable to live in. We’ve put together a guide for the cost of living in Adelaide for international students to give you an idea of its affordability.

Living in Adelaide as an international student can be a great experience. The city is known for its friendly and welcoming locals, as well as its relatively low living costs compared to other major Australian cities. The average cost of living in Adelaide for students ranges between AU$ 2,592 to AU$ 3,074 per month. Additionally, there are many cultural events and festivals held in Adelaide throughout the year, which can be a great way for international students to experience Australian culture.

Cost Of Living In Adelaide For Students

Planning well ahead of time with respect to budget always comes in handy for overseas students. UniAcco has a list of the average living expenses in Adelaide for international students. Here’s the breakdown of the costs associated with staying in Adelaide as a student –

Cost Of Living In Adelaide For Indian Students

The living costs in Adelaide are significantly influenced by multiple factors that are required to be taken care of as a student. This primarily includes food, accommodation, groceries and many other miscellaneous expenses. Indian students living in Adelaide can estimate their living expenses per month to range between INR 1,20,000 – 1,50,000. This is largely influenced by the accommodation you reside in, the location and your individual preferences. Here is a representation of the average total costs that Indian students will have to incur while pursuing their education in Adelaide on varied aspects:

Note: The costs mentioned above may fluctuate and are subject to change. 

Cost Of Tuition Fees

On average, students can expect the tuition fees to range between AU$30,000 to AU$40,000 per year for undergraduate programmes at leading institutions like the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. 

Tuition fees for postgraduate courses, such as master’s degrees, range from AU$25,000 to AU$45,000 annually which primarily depends on the programme. 

Cost Of Student Accommodation In Adelaide

Student accommodation prices in Adelaide can vary depending on factors such as location, amenities, and the type of housing. Purpose-built student accommodations which are majorly inclusive of the utility bills, can range from approximately AU$249 to AU$350 per week. 

Student Accommodation Options

There is a plethora of student housing alternatives in Adelaide which offer a variety of contemporary facilities and access to communal spaces, study areas, gyms and social events. Let us explore the varied student accommodation options Adelaide has to offer:

You can book these purpose-built student accommodations in Adelaide through UniAcco. 

Cost Of Transport

Adelaide offers easy connectivity to the major universities along with convenient transportation alternatives to travel within and around the city including:

MetroCARD

This is a reusable card that can be used for all public transport options (buses, trams, and trains). Students can also avail discounts on ticket fares through this travel card.

Taxis

Multiple taxi companies operate like Adelaide Independent Taxis, Yellow Cab, etc with standard fares ranging around AU$2.18 per km.

Bikes

The city bike-sharing scheme offers an AU$30 yearly membership and charges AU$4 per hour for e-bike rentals. 

Cost Of Food & Groceries

Groceries in Adelaide can cost around $120 to $150 per week for a grocery basket. Basic food items like bread, milk, eggs, and fruits remain affordable, with a loaf of bread costing approximately $3 and a dozen eggs around $4.

Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant can cost around $18 per person. However, for those looking for fine dining options can expect to pay $60 or more per person. 

Other Miscellaneous Costs

Adelaide offers plenty of entertainment options at reasonable costs. Cinema tickets will cost you around $18 per ticket. A monthly gym membership will cost around $65. Salon visits will cost approximately $50 for a basic cut. Healthcare is accessible, with a standard doctor’s consultation fee of around $85 for those not having health insurance. 

Is Adelaide Expensive To Live For Students?

Adelaide is one of the most popular cities in Australia providing a high standard of living which makes it an expensive city to live in for students. However, the presence of academic excellence, varied student accommodation options and the opportunity to live in a bustling city environment justify the higher living costs in Adelaide. 

Factors Influencing Cost Of Living In Adelaide

For students, the cost of living is influenced by factors specific to their lifestyle and needs. Here are some key factors that can impact the cost of living for students in Adelaide:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation
• Health care expenses
• Personal care costs
• Transportation
• Entertainment and socialising
• Food and groceries
• Study materials

How To Save Money As A Student In Adelaide?

Saving money as a student in Adelaide can seem to be challenging as a student due to the relatively higher costs of living. However, with some careful planning and budgeting, it is possible to manage expenses and have scope to save money. Here are some tips:

• Opt for purpose-built student accommodations as they are inclusive of the utility bills in the property pricing which makes them cost-effective and convenient.
• Commute through public transportation to travel to your university campus and explore areas within and around the city.
• Utilise your university library resources such as textbooks and online study materials.
• Ask for student discounts and deals at restaurants, retail outlets and gym memberships.
• Avoid eating out frequently and opt for home-cooked meals to adapt to a healthy lifestyle along with saving money. 

FAQs

Q1. Is Adelaide affordable to live in?

Ans: Adelaide is the most inexpensive capital city in Australia. Adelaide is up to 12% less expensive to live in than other major Australian cities and boasts the country’s lowest average rent.

Q2. Is Adelaide good for students?

Ans: Adelaide welcomes international students from over 150 countries each year. In comparison to other Australian cities, the city provides excellent educational possibilities and a fantastic lifestyle. The city has been named the world’s most contented city.

Q3. Why is Adelaide so affordable?

Ans: Seven Australian cities are included as the best places to study in the world in the QS Best Student Cities 2019 findings. Adelaide is ranked number 26. It has surpassed places such as Auckland and San Francisco, with affordability being one of the top six factors.

Q4. How much does it cost to move to Adelaide?

Ans: Campus accommodation is usually much more expensive than private student accommodation which comes in the range of $90 to $280 per week. You can even choose to share accommodation that will cost you even lesser.

Thank you for reading this blog on the Cost Of Living In Adelaide. You may also want to check out these other blogs –

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