Cost of Living Comparison Between Adelaide and Melbourne 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in Melbourne is 4.3% higher than in Adelaide (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in Melbourne is 9.0% higher than in Adelaide | |
| Rent Prices in Melbourne are 21.2% higher than in Adelaide | |
| Restaurant Prices in Melbourne are 1.9% lower than in Adelaide | |
| Groceries Prices in Melbourne are 3.7% higher than in Adelaide | |
| Local Purchasing Power in Melbourne is 16.9% higher than in Adelaide | |
Restaurants | Adelaide Edit |
Melbourne Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 25.00 A$ | 25.00 A$ | 0.0 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 134.50 A$ | 120.00 A$ | -10.8 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 15.00 A$ | 16.00 A$ | +6.7 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 10.50 A$ | 12.00 A$ | +14.3 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 12.00 A$ | 12.00 A$ | 0.0 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 5.53 A$ | 5.64 A$ | +1.9 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 3.80 A$ | 4.18 A$ | +9.9 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 3.41 A$ | 3.61 A$ | +5.7 % |
Markets | Adelaide Edit |
Melbourne Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 2.71 A$ | 2.50 A$ | -7.9 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 3.77 A$ | 3.78 A$ | +0.2 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 1.45 A$ | 1.49 A$ | +2.8 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 7.53 A$ | 8.21 A$ | +9.0 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 6.62 A$ | 7.34 A$ | +10.7 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 5.61 A$ | 6.31 A$ | +12.5 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 10.26 A$ | 9.88 A$ | -3.7 % |
| Apples (1 lb) | 2.01 A$ | 2.29 A$ | +14.1 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 1.81 A$ | 2.01 A$ | +11.1 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 2.06 A$ | 2.01 A$ | -2.6 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 2.93 A$ | 2.91 A$ | -0.9 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 1.88 A$ | 1.91 A$ | +1.7 % |
| Onions (1 lb) | 1.48 A$ | 1.72 A$ | +16.1 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 3.52 A$ | 3.41 A$ | -3.2 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 2.46 A$ | 2.49 A$ | +1.1 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 20.00 A$ | 20.00 A$ | 0.0 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 6.77 A$ | 6.80 A$ | +0.4 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 8.20 A$ | 7.43 A$ | -9.4 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 47.50 A$ | 50.00 A$ | +5.3 % |
Transportation | Adelaide Edit |
Melbourne Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 4.40 A$ | 5.50 A$ | +25.0 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 117.25 A$ | 195.65 A$ | +66.9 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 5.00 A$ | 5.30 A$ | +6.0 % |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 3.95 A$ | 3.22 A$ | -18.5 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 58.40 A$ | 41.64 A$ | -28.7 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 1.74 A$ | 1.80 A$ | +3.4 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 40,000.00 A$ | 42,290.00 A$ | +5.7 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 36,152.33 A$ | 36,147.38 A$ | -0.0 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Adelaide Edit |
Melbourne Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 289.30 A$ | 288.15 A$ | -0.4 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 38.78 A$ | 37.81 A$ | -2.5 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 81.48 A$ | 77.37 A$ | -5.0 % |
Sports And Leisure | Adelaide Edit |
Melbourne Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 55.83 A$ | 74.89 A$ | +34.1 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 15.45 A$ | 29.12 A$ | +88.5 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 22.00 A$ | 24.00 A$ | +9.1 % |
Childcare | Adelaide Edit |
Melbourne Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 2,190.38 A$ | 3,231.07 A$ | +47.5 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 17,596.67 A$ | 34,435.29 A$ | +95.7 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Adelaide Edit |
Melbourne Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 106.31 A$ | 111.39 A$ | +4.8 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 81.12 A$ | 77.80 A$ | -4.1 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 164.74 A$ | 164.77 A$ | +0.0 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 160.80 A$ | 174.71 A$ | +8.7 % |
Rent Per Month | Adelaide Edit |
Melbourne Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 2,358.89 A$ | 2,372.42 A$ | +0.6 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 2,012.29 A$ | 1,831.67 A$ | -9.0 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 3,126.67 A$ | 4,767.90 A$ | +52.5 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 2,509.22 A$ | 3,156.02 A$ | +25.8 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Adelaide Edit |
Melbourne Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 1,132.25 A$ | 962.43 A$ | -15.0 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 758.04 A$ | 807.48 A$ | +6.5 % |
Salaries And Financing | Adelaide Edit |
Melbourne Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 5,078.46 A$ | 6,469.99 A$ | +27.4 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.30 | 5.92 | -6.0 % |
| Last update: | 4 December 2025 | 5 December 2025 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 155 | 336 |
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Cities near Adelaide: | Cost of Living in Murray Bridge | 48.49 miles |
| Cost of Living in Nuriootpa | 48.77 miles |
| Cost of Living in Victor Harbor | 52.02 miles |
| Cost of Living in Meningie | 92.56 miles |
| Cost of Living in Wallaroo | 98.31 miles |
| Cost of Living in Port Pirie | 139.57 miles |
| Cost of Living in Berri | 148.52 miles |
| Cost of Living in Bordertown | 168.99 miles |
| Cost of Living in Kingston South East | 183.23 miles |
| Cost of Living in Port Augusta | 191.76 miles |
Cities near Melbourne: | Cost of Living in Doncaster | 11.49 miles |
| Cost of Living in Epping | 13.38 miles |
| Cost of Living in Pakenham | 40.22 miles |
| Cost of Living in Ballarat | 71.73 miles |
| Cost of Living in Wangaratta | 149.91 miles |
| Cost of Living in Albury | 195.47 miles |