Moving to Adelaide
The most affordable mainland capital
A city the size of Bristol with twenty minutes of traffic, world-class wine regions and house prices that still make sense.
1.4 million
8.5-10.5 hours ahead of the UK
$430
about £221
$84,000
about £43,077
$790,000
Would Adelaide suit you?
Why UK movers pick it
Adelaide is where your money goes furthest. Commutes are short, the parklands ring the city, the Barossa and McLaren Vale are on the doorstep, and defence shipbuilding has created a decades-long pipeline of skilled work. It is smaller, and that is the point.
"Warmer and far drier than anywhere in the UK; heatwaves are the thing to prepare for."
On the weather.
"Sheffield or Nottingham rent for a whole capital city."
On rent.
Weather, plainly
29°C
16°C
260
79
Mediterranean. Dry, hot summers with occasional 40 degree spikes, mild winters.
Rent compared with other cities
Weekly one-bed rent, cheapest to priciest.
How Adelaide rates
Suits you if
- You want the shortest gap between salary and lifestyle
- You work in defence, shipbuilding, health or education
- You want a 20-minute commute and a garden
- Wine country weekends sound like the plan
Think twice if
- Your field only hires in Sydney or Melbourne
- You want a big nightlife scene
- You dislike very hot, dry days
Suburbs worth knowing
Rent shown is a weekly median for the area, with a rough UK equivalent so you can picture it.
Norwood / Kent Town
Cafes, walkable, period homes
UK equivalent: Harrogate
Glenelg / Brighton
Beach suburb, tram to town
UK equivalent: Whitley Bay with sun
Prospect / Croydon
Young families, affordable villas
UK equivalent: Chorlton
Adelaide Hills (Stirling)
Green, cool, semi-rural
UK equivalent: The Peak District edge
Indicative planning rate of A$1.95 to £1. Check a live rate before you transfer money.
Dig deeper
Jobs market+
Smaller but focused. The AUKUS submarine programme, defence manufacturing, space and healthcare are the growth stories, and South Australia nominates generously to attract skilled migrants.
Defence, healthcare, education and agriculture lead the market.
Schools+
Good public schools with less catchment pressure than the east coast.
Healthcare+
Royal Adelaide Hospital is one of the newest major hospitals in the country.
Getting around+
Easy driving, decent trams and trains, and a genuinely walkable city centre.
Brits here+
Long-standing British community — Adelaide took a huge share of the post-war 'ten pound pom' migration.
Visas+
South Australia has some of the most accessible state nomination pathways in the country, including for regional applicants.
Other places to consider
Keep researching
Ready to plan the move to Adelaide?
See how far your salary really stretches once rent, bills and tax are accounted for, then check which visa and job pathways fit your skills.