Accommodation Prices Across Australia

What’s the average price of rent across Australia? How do costs differ between each capital city? And how do average accommodation prices in Australia compare globally?

If you’re thinking about making the move to study in Australia, taking into account your average living costs including accommodation pricing is essential. To avoid renter-regret, here’s a quick overview of accommodation prices across Australia. 

MOST POPULAR Accommodation DESTINATIONS:  

According to the student housing service Student.com’s recent 2017 Global Student Indicator, the most popular accommodation destinations in Australia with international students are as follows:

1. Sydney

2. Melbourne

3. Brisbane

4. Adelaide

5. Canberra

Alright, so now that we know the rankings,how exactly does general demand effect accommodation prices in each of these Australian cities?

AVERAGE Accommodation PRICE GUIDE:

Unsurprisingly, prices are a matter of supply and demand: the differences in accommodation price between the major Australian cities directly correspond to how popular they are as destinations.

In terms of weekly accommodation price, popular Sydney topped the list as the most expensive Australian city destination for international students, with rent averaging around $285 – setting renters back 6% more than the national average.

At an average of $258, Melbourne came in as second most pricey, followed by similarly priced in Brisbane ($218) and Adelaide($213).

Of all Australian cities, Canberra proved to be the most affordable for students, coming in at only $124 – a whopping 54% less than the national average!

AVERAGE WEEKLY Accommodation PRICE SUMMARY:

1. Sydney – $285
2. Melbourne – $258
3. Brisbane – $218
4. Adelaide – $213
5. Canberra – $124

Most Expensive:  Sydney (average of $285)
Least Expensive: Canberra (average of $124)

GLOBAL COMPARISON:

Worldwide, Sydney was ranked as one of the most popular global city destinations for international students, alongside other bustling cities likeLondon and Los Angeles.

Of all countries, the UK (#1), the US (#2) and Australia (#3) topped the global list as the top three most popular international student destinations.

But what about global weekly Accommodation prices? The top five most expensive city destinations for renting students were identified as NewYork ($431), Boston($403), London ($359), Washington ($329) and La Jolla ($298). Sydney ($285) was ranked 7th on the list.

The average global rent price is $218 a week.

Though this places Sydney ($285) and Melbourne ($258) above the threshold for the global average, Brisbane ($218), Adelaide ($213) and Canberra ($124)come out cheaper, more affordably resting below global average. Still, even Sydneysiders will find accommodation prices affordable in comparison to student renters in New York, who “spend 98% more on their accommodation than the global average” (2017 Global Student Indicator).

“I’VE FOUND UNBELIEVABLY CHEAP ACCOMMODATION IN A MAJOR CITY – IT’S ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!”

It might be.

Finding accommodation on the cheap is an admirable skill – but remember, always be cautious! It’s unfortunate, but house accommodation horror stories do exist.

To avoid unscrupulous landlords, illegal rooming houses and possible scams, it’s best to become aware of your renting rights. To play it safe, thoroughly investigate offers, consider if the property is right for you and choose your accommodation carefully. If you feel like you need to brush up on your knowledge of renting in Australia, you can also take our quiz.

There’s also a variety of accommodation options available in Australia. so look around!

If you do your research, you’ll be sure to find the accommodation that best suits you.