Hobart vs Melbourne
Cost of living, weather, jobs and lifestyle, side by side. Pick any two cities to switch.
| Fact | Hobart | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Population1 | 255,000 | 5.2 million |
| State | Tasmania | Victoria |
| Median house price2 | $680k | $780k |
| Median weekly rent (house)2 | $550 | $560 |
| Average summer day3 | 22°C | 26°C |
| Average winter day3 | 12°C | 14°C |
| Annual rainfall3 | 600 mm | 650 mm |
| Time zone4 | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving |
| Main industries5 | Tourism, health, Antarctic science, aquaculture | Health, education, finance, creative industries |
Hobart and Melbourne share the same time zone all year. Figures are rounded, indicative values and are a guide only.
What it's really like: Hobart and Melbourne beyond the numbers
What each city is known for
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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: Metro Tasmania · Discover Tasmania · Public Transport Victoria · Visit Melbourne