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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Adelaide quality of life score: 67/100 (Australia avg: 63/100). Combines safety (70), healthcare (78), walkability (62), air quality (AQI 22) and green space (28%). Compared to South Australia peers in 2026.
Adelaide quality of life score: 67/100 (Australia avg: 63/100). Combines safety (70), healthcare (78), walkability (62), air quality (AQI 22) and green space (28%). Compared to South Australia peers in 2026.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income | QoL | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adelaide | 104 | $2,100 | $72,000 | 67 | 70 |
| 2 | Hobart | 100 | $1,920 | $68,000 | 68 | 75 |
| 3 | Canberra | 120 | $2,750 | $101,000 | 67 | 78 |
| 4 | Wollongong | 113 | $2,300 | $74,000 | 63 | 72 |
| 5 | Cairns | 100 | $1,820 | $66,000 | 63 | 58 |
| 6 | Perth | 118 | $2,650 | $87,000 | 63 | 68 |
| 7 | Sydney | 132 | $3,200 | $90,000 | 62 | 68 |
| 8 | Newcastle | 110 | $2,250 | $76,000 | 62 | 65 |
| 9 | Melbourne | 124 | $2,750 | $84,500 | 62 | 64 |
| 10 | Geelong | 107 | $2,050 | $72,000 | 62 | 68 |
| 11 | Brisbane | 112 | $2,550 | $80,000 | 62 | 66 |
| 12 | Gold Coast | 109 | $2,400 | $72,000 | 60 | 62 |
| 13 | Darwin | 116 | $2,350 | $80,000 | 55 | 48 |
Adelaide: cost index 104 (-9 vs national avg 113), rent $2,100/month.
South Australia region average cost index: 113. Adelaide is -9 vs region peers.
Quality of life: 67/100 — safety 70, healthcare 78, walkability 62.
Safety score: 70/100 (crime rate 42.8/1k). National average: 66/100.
The conventional wisdom says one thing. The data says another: Adelaide has a cost index of 104 — 9 points below the Australia national average of 113. Median income is $72,000 with rent at $2,100/month, putting the rent-to-income ratio at 35%. This combination is rare — and valuable.
Here's where it gets complicated: looking at South Australia as a whole, the spread across all 13 cities is 12 points on the cost index. Darwin sits at the other end with index 116 and rent of $2,350/mo. That's a strong position by any measure.
On quality of life, Adelaide scores a composite score of 67/100 — reflecting its safety (70), healthcare (78), and walkability (62) metrics. Zooming out, affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Australia is a good example of that tension.
Adelaide — cost index 104, rent $2,100/mo, income $72,000, QoL 67/100.
Hobart — cost index 100, rent $1,920/mo, income $68,000, QoL 68/100.
Canberra — cost index 120, rent $2,750/mo, income $101,000, QoL 67/100.
Wollongong — cost index 113, rent $2,300/mo, income $74,000, QoL 63/100.
Cairns — cost index 100, rent $1,820/mo, income $66,000, QoL 63/100.
Adelaide has a composite quality of life score of 67/100, covering safety (70), healthcare (78), walkability (62), air quality, and green space. Australia average QoL: 63/100.
The South Australia region of average QoL score is 63/100. Adelaide leads with 67/100, reflecting safety, healthcare access, walkability, and green space.
Our index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Sub-categories cover housing, food, transport, utilities, and healthcare. Data sources include ABS, CoreLogic, ATO.
Adelaide: cost index 104, rent $2,100/mo, income $72,000/yr, QoL 67/100. Hobart: cost index 100, rent $1,920/mo, income $68,000/yr, QoL 68/100.
This analysis uses data from ABS, CoreLogic, ATO to rank cities in Australia. The cost of living index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Quality of life scores combine safety, healthcare, walkability, air quality, green space, and transit metrics. Salary ranges use national occupation data adjusted for local cost differences. Data is updated regularly to reflect current market conditions.