Bendigo vs Melbourne
Cost of living, weather, jobs and lifestyle, side by side. Pick any two cities to switch.
| Fact | Bendigo | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Population1 | 125,000 | 5.2 million |
| State | Victoria | Victoria |
| Median house price2 | $580k | $780k |
| Median weekly rent (house)2 | $440 | $560 |
| Average summer day3 | 29°C | 26°C |
| Average winter day3 | 13°C | 14°C |
| Annual rainfall3 | 520 mm | 650 mm |
| Time zone4 | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving |
| Main industries5 | Health, education, banking, retail | Health, education, finance, creative industries |
Bendigo and Melbourne share the same time zone all year. Figures are rounded, indicative values and are a guide only.
What it's really like: Bendigo and Melbourne beyond the numbers
What each city is known for
Bendigo. Gold-rush architecture, Bendigo Art Gallery's international exhibitions, the Chinese heritage of the Golden Dragon Museum, and nearby Heathcote wineries.
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
Bendigo. V/Line trains to Melbourne take about two hours. The heritage tram serves tourists. A car is the norm.
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
Bendigo. Community AFL and netball dominate, alongside cricket and racing.
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
Bendigo. A self-contained regional city with good services and cheaper housing. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are crisp.
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: Public Transport Victoria · Bendigo Regional Tourism · Public Transport Victoria · Visit Melbourne