Student Accommodation Blog

Cost of Living in Adelaide as a Student

Adelaide is up to 14% more affordable to live in than any other major Australian cities and has the lowest average rent in the country. With lower rent, food and public transport costs than most major Australian cities, you’ll be able to afford more of the wonderful lifestyle that Australia has to offer.

Below is an estimated overview of general weekly expenses. This is a guide only, and costs will vary depending on your lifestyle choices and needs.

Average Student Budget
To help you understand the costs, below is a sample student budget based on a single student living in a shared accommodation in the city.

  • Rent - City (Shared): AUD$185 per week
  • Utility Bill (Shared): AUD$30 per week
  • Grocery: AUD$60 per week
  • Phone and internet: AUD$25 per week
  • Public Transport: AUD$15 per week
  • Entertainment: AUD$80 per week

Student Accommodation
In Adelaide, you’ll enjoy student accommodations that are affordable. Depending on the location and type of accommodation you choose, rental prices may vary. Below is a guide to housing costs in Adelaide:

  • Hostels and Guesthouses - $90 to $150 per week
  • Shared Rental - $85 to $215 per week
  • On campus - $90 to 280 per week
  • Homestay - $235 to $325 per week
  • Rental - $165 to $440 per week
  • Boarding schools - $11,000 to $22,000 per year

Public Transport
As a student in Adelaide, you’ll receive significant discounts on public transport thanks to the South Australian Government concessions for all international students. Adelaide Metro is Adelaide’s public transport system, providing cost effective and efficient travel throughout the city and the greater metropolitan area. To travel on the public transport system, you’ll need to pay for your fare using either a MetroCARD or Metroticket.

Tertiary students in Adelaide can enjoy unlimited travel on a 28-Day Pass for $51.50. For your convenience, Adelaide Metro also provides several free public transport options servicing the city and North Adelaide. Why not check out the full breakdown listed on Study Adelaide.

Regularly purchased items in Adelaide   

  • Loaf of bread - $2.50
  • Bowl of noodles / fried rice - $4.50 - $5.50
  • Milk (1 litre) - $1.85
  • Big Mac - $3.60
  • Cup of coffee - $3.00 - $3.50
  • Bottle of water (600ml) - $3.00
  • Cinema ticket - $15

Some estimates signal that a single international student requires approximately AUD$14,000 - $19,000 per year for accommodation, food, textbooks and other study materials, as well as personal expenses including transport, entertainment and recreation costs.