Cities in Australia Where Indian Students Find Affordable Living 2026

Do you plan on studying in Australia soon and want affordable living options? Then you can get details around cities in Australia where Indian students find affordable living in this article. Get cities, cost analysis and tips to choose the best option.

There are 86 cities in Australia, but out of these limited student cities are available for study. Prominently, there are eight student cities to study in Australia. While some are affordable, the others may be expensive. It is always better to aim for affordable options when on a student visa abroad. There are not just living and study costs in Australia, there are many other expenses as well.

Some of the well known and ranked student cities in Australia are more expensive like Sydney and Melbourne, while the others are cheaper. The difference in costs vary based on trends, inflation and current exchange rates. The costs may vary a few Australian Dollars when converting to INR, but the affordability aspect remains the same.

We have curated a cost comparison city wise where maximum Indian students study in Australia. Based on which, they can choose their affordable living option. So check out cities in Australia that are affordable for Indian applicants in this article.

Cost of Living in Australian Cities 2026

While the minimum cost of living in Australia is AUD 29,710, yet the overall expenses are on the higher side only. To be able to manage living expenses on student budget, know the cost of living in these Australian student cities: 

 These are the most recent costs, sourced from Study in Australia website. You should still check the latest costs before making the final decision.

Most Affordable Australian Cities to Live and Study for Indians

There are three Australian cities that are the most affordable for Indian students. Though there are limited universities here, yet they attract students because of affordability and cheaper lifestlye.

Hobart

Hobart is the cheapest and most affordable Australian city for study. As per the costs, it can be noted that student accommodation in Hobart is cheaper than in other Australian student cities.

• Weekly Cost: AUD 994.25 (INR 64,359.26)
• Monthly Cost: AUD 4,308.42 (INR 2,78,890.36)
• Annual Cost: AUD 51,701 (INR 33,46,682)

For students looking to control expenses without sacrificing international exposure, Hobart provides the lowest financial entry point. Over a year, it costs nearly AUD 17,000 less than Sydney. Over two years, that difference could cover a significant portion of tuition fees.

Darwin and Perth

Darwin’s annual cost stands at AUD 52,481, while Perth is at AUD 52,585. The difference between Hobart and Perth is under AUD 900 annually a negligible gap in the larger study-abroad budget. The student accommodation in Perth and Darwin together are cheaper than Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra.

Together, Hobart, Darwin, and Perth form the “low-cost cluster,” averaging around AUD 52,000 annually. For financially cautious students, these cities significantly reduce long-term financial pressure.

Mid-Range Australian Cities: Brisbane, Canberra & Melbourne

The next tier includes cities that cost moderately more but may offer stronger job markets and academic ecosystems. While many top Australian universities are located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne, the cost of living here is neither high nor low.

Adelaide

Though Adelaide is popular, not just because it is home to The University of Adelaide, but also because it is among the top rankers. There are many student accommodation options in Adelaide which can be considered. The budget will however will be around:

• Weekly Cost: AUD 1,092.25 (INR 70,703)
• Annual Cost: AUD 56,797 (INR 36,76,553)

Compared to Perth, Adelaide costs roughly AUD 4,200 (INR 2,71,872) more per year. Monthly, the gap is about AUD 350 (INR 22,656). This difference is noticeable but not dramatic too much especially if employment opportunities or lifestyle preferences justify the premium.

Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne

You know UniMelb is in Melbourne, UQ in Brisbane and ANU are located in Canberra. All these are again top 10 Australian universities. Thus, Brisbane, Canberra, and Melbourne fall within a narrow annual living cost range:

• Brisbane: AUD 58,305 (INR 37,74,169)
• Canberra: AUD 58,981 (INR 38,17,927)
• Melbourne: AUD 59,137 (INR 38,28,025)

The spread between Brisbane and Melbourne is less than AUD 1,000 annually. Financially speaking, the difference is marginal. In this bracket, students are more likely to prioritise career exposure, university ranking, or lifestyle rather than cost alone. While many major universities are in Melbourne, students can benefit from the choice of housing. The student accommodation in Melbourne is not just campus-based, but also includes off-campus options that are cheaper.

High Cost Australian Student City: Sydney

Based on the data, Sydney is the most expensive city to study and live in. The student accommodation in Sydney will be slightly more expensive than other student cities in Australia.

• Weekly Cost: AUD 1,324.25 (INR 85,721)
• Monthly Cost: AUD 5,738.42 (INR 3,71,457)
• Annual Cost: AUD 68,861 (INR 44,57,474)

Sydney costs nearly AUD 10,000 more annually than Melbourne and approximately AUD 17,000 more than Hobart. Your decision to study in Sydney instead of Hobart will increase your living expenses by AUD 34,000 during your two-year master's program. The financial obligation for student accommodation in Sydney requires careful planning, as it represents a significant financial commitment.

Tips to Find Affordable Student Cities in Australia

If you are a new applicant, then you read these tips to find an affordable student housing while you study in Australia. They will help you navigate through and expand your options as Australia student visa holders:

• Opt for shared student accommodation options. Search official university or authentic websites to find shared housing, which is often cheaper than private rentals.
• Look for public universities in Australia that offer on campus accommodation for interntional students.
• Also consider student accommodation cities in zones 2 or 3 to save on rent, ensuring they have good transportation links to campus.
• Consider on-campus student housing options, which can sometimes provide all-inclusive, cheaper alternatives.
• Use student concession cards for transport and, where available, student discounts for food and entertainment.
• Never pay rent or bond before inspecting a property; use official, trusted platforms for searches.
• Budget and research the cost of living using official sources, such as Study Australia's website, to compare expenses between cities.

Finally, you can also aim for fully funded scholarship offering Australian universities so that not just study, but living costs are also covered overall.

What This Means for Indian Students

The selection of a city requires evaluation of its two factors. The process requires assessment of financial resources needed for the degree program's duration. 

A student who chooses Hobart over Sydney will pay 25% less for their yearly living costs. The decrease in expenses brings about two benefits which include decreased financial strain and higher emergency savings capacity.

When you shortlist your universities for studying in Australia, check out the cost analysis city wise as well. Based on the cost data, Australia’s cities clearly fall into three affordability tiers:

The jump from the low-cost tier to the mid-range tier is about AUD 5k - 7k annually. The jump from mid-range to Sydney is an additional AUD 10,000 per year. That second jump is the most financially significant.

Melbourne and Brisbane provide students with urban benefits while they avoid the luxuries of living in Sydney as students. 

The best decision requires people to choose between academic goals and their capacity to manage expenses. The process of handling living expenses during international study requires students to develop their budget management skills into a permanent financial approach.