Perth vs Adelaide
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Perth leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Adelaide where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Adelaide's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Perth | Adelaide |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 64 | 67 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 43 | 44 |
| Climate | 96 | 100 |
| Safety | 59 | 63 |
| Summer °C | 24.8 | 19.9 |
| Winter °C | 13.3 | 9.0 |
| Top disaster risk | wildfire | wildfire |
Perth vs Adelaide: the short answer
Adelaide comes out ahead on overall livability (67/100), modestly above Perth (64/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Adelaide is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Perth 43 vs Adelaide 44, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Perth runs warmer in summer (about 24.8°C peak vs 19.9°C in Adelaide), while winter lows sit near 13.3°C in Perth and 9.0°C in Adelaide. On natural-disaster exposure Adelaide is the safer choice (safety 63/100); the dominant modelled hazard is wildfire for Perth and wildfire for Adelaide.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Adelaide — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Perth — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Adelaide — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Adelaide — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Perth or Adelaide better to live in?
Adelaide scores higher overall — 67 vs 64 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Perth or Adelaide?
Adelaide has the lower cost of living (cost index 44 vs 43; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Perth or Adelaide?
Perth — summer highs reach about 24.8°C versus 19.9°C in Adelaide.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Perth or Adelaide?
Adelaide (disaster-safety 63/100). Main hazard: wildfire in Perth, wildfire in Adelaide.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Perth?
wildfire is the dominant modelled hazard for Perth on our risk index.
How is the Perth vs Adelaide comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.