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 –
| Particulars | Expenses (Per Month) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | AU$ 796 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | AU$ 1,278 |
| Transportation | AU$ 105 |
| Food | AU$ 812 |
| Utilities | AU$ 327 |
| Entertainment | AU$ 97 |
| Groceries | AU$ 450 |
| Clothes | AU$ 110 |
| Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation | AU$ 2,592 |
| Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation | AU$ 3,074 |
Student Accommodation in Adelaide
Adelaide is comparatively economical when it comes to accommodation. Like any of the major capital cities in Australia, it will cost a bit more to live in the city centre than to live further out in the suburbs. In Adelaide, you can either share your accommodation with professionals or other students. Most shared apartments include amenities like 24-hour support and internet and many more things. On-campus halls of residence are fairly expensive in comparison to on-campus housing. Additionally, there are several homestay options available to live with local families.
It’s necessary to weigh up these options when calculating the average cost of living in Adelaide. Living close to the city can probably mean less money spent on public transport or taxi services, as well as reaching home faster from the university. However, living further from the city can mean bigger living spaces, more leisure space, and less noise. Living on or near campus is pretty convenient for most of the students, as you have a minimal commute to class.
Public Transport
Almost all of Adelaide’s universities have campuses within the park bounds of the city’s CBD which makes public transport access very easy. For campuses located outside of the city limits, there are frequent buses provided for students.
The city’s train network is known as the Adelaide Metro. Locals are encouraged to purchase a MetroCard for all of their travel purposes. If you’re a tertiary student, you are designated to a 50% discounted fare, so make sure you take advantage of the same. You can purchase a 28-day MetroCard pass for only AU$ 50. This comes as a major saving and means you hardly need to worry about topping up your card’s balance any time you want to travel on a train, tram, or bus. Just make sure that you carry your student ID whenever you are travelling. Also, don’t forget to get your MetroCard protected so that if you misplace it, you won’t lose any of the credit you’ve purchased.
Luckily for residents of Adelaide, the city has after-midnight bus services on almost every bus route to and from the city. So, wherever you live, you can still enjoy a night out at your favourite club or a late-night study session. Taxis and Uber services are also available with prices differing depending on where you live.
Food
If you want to take advantage of Adelaide’s food, please make sure you set aside some time to go out for meals. Adelaide is full of world-famous restaurants, multicultural eateries, and busy cafés. Plus, it’s very easy to find something affordable for any meal.
On average, breakfast at a cafe in Adelaide will cost you around AU$15, but make sure to budget a bit extra if you’d like to add a cold coffee or freshly blended juice. Australia is famous around the globe for its coffee and fresh fruit and vegetables, so you can rest assured to get a high-quality beverage for the price you pay. For an economical lunch, it is advisable to always keep an eye out for meal deals; many eateries around the city usually offer a discounted lunch with extras such as drinks. Dinners, on the other hand, tend to be slightly more expensive.
Entertainment
Depending on your circumstances, it’s always great to plan for a night out. You don’t want to accidentally spend your weekly savings just by walking into an expensive club or bar. Bars featuring music or other live entertainment will presumably enforce a cover charge. While there, you can expect a glass of wine, beer, or cider to cost roughly AU$ 12 each.
Concerts and live music can be a bit more costly in Australia. Performers need to spend more to travel, and the costs accompanied by paying bar and security staff add up. For big events at a stadium or arena, the cost per ticket would be higher. Other events for entertainment in Australia would include dance or theatre performances, or musical tours. You’ll find discounted tickets if you’re happy to sit in the back seats of the theatre. Always make sure you are updated with the weekly city guides, as there are plenty of regular free events taking place around Adelaide.
A movie at any of the city’s cinemas will cost you around AU$20, which at times may sound like a lot compared to Netflix at home. However, as a student in Australia, you will often find cheaper student or concession tickets available with the help of your student id, some cinemas even offer ‘student nights’ offering tickets as low as AU$8. You can also take advantage of cinema membership programs that will get you discounted tickets and free popcorn and drinks.
Don’t forget to ask for any student discounts on gym memberships or classes. Alternatively, joining your education provider’s gym or sports teams could also be a much more affordable option and these discounts together can make the cost of living in Adelaide a more economical option.
FAQs
1. Is Adelaide affordable to live in?
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.
2. Is Adelaide good for students?
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.
3. Why is Adelaide so affordable?
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.
4. How much does it cost to move to Adelaide?
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.
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