Moving to Melbourne
Culture, coffee and four seasons a day
The most European-feeling city in Australia. If you love Manchester's music scene and Edinburgh's festivals, Melbourne will feel like home with better coffee.
5.2 million
9-11 hours ahead of the UK
$560
about £287
$92,000
about £47,179
$920,000
Would Melbourne suit you?
Why UK movers pick it
Melbourne trades Sydney's harbour for laneways, galleries, sport and the best food scene in the country. Rent is meaningfully cheaper, the job market is nearly as deep, and the weather is the one thing Brits consistently complain about — which tells you it is the most familiar climate on this list.
"The closest thing to a British climate you will find, minus the grey months. Bring a light jacket year round."
On the weather.
"Manchester or Bristol rents for a city with Sydney-scale amenities."
On rent.
Weather, plainly
26°C
14°C
190
108
Temperate with genuine seasons and famously fast weather swings.
Rent compared with other cities
Weekly one-bed rent, cheapest to priciest.
How Melbourne rates
Suits you if
- You want culture, sport, live music and food over beach life
- You want a big-city job market without Sydney rents
- You are moving with children and want strong schools and parks
- You would rather have four seasons than endless summer
Think twice if
- You moved for guaranteed sunshine
- You want to swim before work most of the year
- You dislike long, grey Julys
Suburbs worth knowing
Rent shown is a weekly median for the area, with a rough UK equivalent so you can picture it.
Fitzroy / Collingwood
Warehouse conversions, bars, art
UK equivalent: Shoreditch or Manchester's Northern Quarter
St Kilda / Elwood
Bayside, beach walks, lively
UK equivalent: Hove
Brunswick / Coburg
Affordable, multicultural, young families
UK equivalent: Walthamstow
Glen Waverley / Camberwell
Family houses, top schools, quiet
UK equivalent: Solihull or Sutton
Indicative planning rate of A$1.95 to £1. Check a live rate before you transfer money.
Dig deeper
Jobs market+
Australia's second-largest market and its healthcare, education and biotech capital. Victoria also runs one of the most active state nomination programmes for skilled migrants.
Strong in healthcare, education, tech and professional services.
Schools+
Excellent public and independent schools, with strong catchment competition in the inner east and bayside.
Healthcare+
World-class hospital network including the Royal Melbourne and Royal Children's.
Getting around+
Trams, trains and a very walkable centre. The free tram zone in the CBD is a genuine perk.
Brits here+
Huge British and Irish population, particularly in the inner north and bayside suburbs.
Visas+
Victoria nominates widely under subclass 190; regional Victoria opens up subclass 491 options.
Other places to consider
Keep researching
Ready to plan the move to Melbourne?
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.