Canberra vs Hobart
Cost of living, weather, jobs and lifestyle, side by side. Pick any two cities to switch.
| Fact | Canberra | Hobart |
|---|---|---|
| Population1 | 470,000 | 255,000 |
| State | ACT | Tasmania |
| Median house price2 | $980k | $680k |
| Median weekly rent (house)2 | $680 | $550 |
| Average summer day3 | 28°C | 22°C |
| Average winter day3 | 12°C | 12°C |
| Annual rainfall3 | 620 mm | 600 mm |
| Time zone4 | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving |
| Main industries5 | Federal public service, defence, education | Tourism, health, Antarctic science, aquaculture |
Canberra and Hobart share the same time zone all year. Figures are rounded, indicative values and are a guide only.
What it's really like: Canberra and Hobart beyond the numbers
What each city is known for
Canberra. Parliament House, national museums and galleries, Lake Burley Griffin, and a city built around bush 'nature reserves'. It is the home of the federal public service.
Hobart. MONA (the Museum of Old and New Art), Salamanca Market, the Dark Mofo winter festival, fresh seafood, and kunanyi/Mt Wellington rising behind the harbour.
Getting around
Canberra. Buses plus a light rail line from Gungahlin to the city, being extended south. Roads are wide and congestion is light compared with the big capitals, and there are no tolls.
Hobart. Metro Tasmania buses and a ferry service on the Derwent. There is no passenger rail. The city is compact but most people drive, and the Tasman Bridge is the main bottleneck.
Sport
Canberra. Rugby league (Raiders) and rugby union (Brumbies) are the biggest codes. Manuka Oval hosts cricket and some AFL games for the GWS Giants.
Hobart. AFL is the main code, and a Tasmanian AFL team is in development with a new stadium planned at Macquarie Point. Cricket is played at Blundstone Arena.
Day-to-day life
Canberra. Quiet, green and family-friendly, with some of the highest household incomes in Australia. Winters are frosty and summers are dry. Many people find the social scene smaller than in other capitals.
Hobart. Small-city calm, close to wilderness and wineries. It is cooler than the mainland. Housing has become much less affordable relative to local wages.
Sources: Transport Canberra · VisitCanberra · Metro Tasmania · Discover Tasmania