What's it like to live in Geelong?
Bayside city an hour from Melbourne, gateway to the Surf Coast.
Pros of living in Geelong
- Rents below the typical Australian city (about $500 a week for a house).
- A moderate climate, rarely extreme either way.
- A small, easy-going city of 290,000 with short commutes.
- Main industries: Health, education, advanced manufacturing.
Cons of living in Geelong
- Fewer jobs and less going on than the big capitals.
Cost of living in Geelong
The reported house figure is about $782k (median house sale price, Geelong, September 2025). Source: realestate.com.au, Geelong house prices (PropTrack data) ↗. A house rents for about $500 a week (indicative, not individually audited). Geelong has about 290,000 people (indicative). See every city's costs.
Different publishers, geographic boundaries and methods mean these house figures cannot be compared directly as a price index.
Weather in Geelong
Average summer days reach about 25°C and winter days about 14°C, with around 540 mm of rain a year. Geelong and Sydney share the same time zone all year.
What Geelong is known for
The waterfront, the start of the Great Ocean Road, the Surf Coast (Torquay and Bells Beach) and the Bellarine Peninsula's wineries.
Getting around Geelong
V/Line trains reach Melbourne in about an hour, and many residents commute. Local buses serve the suburbs, but a car is close to essential.
Day-to-day life and sport
A sea-change option with Melbourne in reach. It has grown fast, with new estates on the edges. Weather is similar to Melbourne's but slightly drier.
AFL dominates: the Geelong Cats play at GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia Park), and football is central to local identity.
Sources: Public Transport Victoria · Visit Geelong & the Bellarine
Jobs in Geelong
The biggest industries are health, education, advanced manufacturing.
What locals are talking about right now
Frequently asked questions
Is Geelong a good place to live?
Bayside city an hour from Melbourne, gateway to the Surf Coast. The main draws are rents below the typical australian city (about $500 a week for a house); the main drawback is fewer jobs and less going on than the big capitals.
Is it expensive to live in Geelong?
A published house figure is about $782k (Median house sale price, Geelong, September 2025; source: https://www.realestate.com.au/news/how-much-geelong-house-prices-have-risen-in-2025/). Indicative house rent is about $500 a week; check current local listings before budgeting.
What is the weather like in Geelong?
Average summer days reach about 25°C and winter days about 14°C, with around 540 mm of rain a year.
What are the main jobs in Geelong?
The biggest industries are health, education, advanced manufacturing.