Adelaide vs Melbourne
Cost of living, weather, jobs and lifestyle, side by side. Pick any two cities to switch.
| Fact | Adelaide | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Population1 | 1.4 million | 5.2 million |
| State | South Australia | Victoria |
| Median house price2 | $820k | $780k |
| Median weekly rent (house)2 | $570 | $560 |
| Average summer day3 | 29°C | 26°C |
| Average winter day3 | 15°C | 14°C |
| Annual rainfall3 | 540 mm | 650 mm |
| Time zone4 | ACST (UTC+9.5), daylight saving | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving |
| Main industries5 | Defence, health, education, wine and food | Health, education, finance, creative industries |
Melbourne is 0.5 hours ahead of Adelaide in winter. Figures are rounded, indicative values and are a guide only.
What it's really like: Adelaide and Melbourne beyond the numbers
What each city is known for
Adelaide. The festival city: the Adelaide Fringe, Festival and WOMADelaide each March. It is also close to the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills wine regions.
Melbourne. Cafe culture and coffee, laneway bars, street art, live music and a packed events calendar: the Australian Open, the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup.
Getting around
Adelaide. Buses, trains and a single tram line through the city to Glenelg beach. The grid layout and short commutes make driving easy, and there are no toll roads.
Melbourne. The world's largest urban tram network covers the inner city, backed by a metro train network and the Metro Tunnel. Toll roads are fewer than Sydney's (mainly CityLink and EastLink), but traffic on the outer freeways is heavy.
Sport
Adelaide. AFL leads, with the Crows and Port Adelaide playing at Adelaide Oval, one of the country's best-loved grounds. It also hosts cricket and the AFL Gather Round.
Melbourne. AFL is close to a religion: nine of the 18 clubs are based here and the MCG holds 100,000 people. Melbourne Park, AAMI Park and Marvel Stadium sit within walking distance of the city centre.
Day-to-day life
Adelaide. Short commutes, an easy pace and a strong food and wine scene. It is among the cheaper mainland capitals, though prices have climbed quickly in recent years.
Melbourne. An indoor-outdoor city of neighbourhoods, each with its own high street. Weather changes fast ('four seasons in one day') and winters are grey, but housing is markedly cheaper than Sydney.
Sources: Adelaide Metro · South Australian Tourism Commission · Public Transport Victoria · Visit Melbourne