Urban Stress Index
An indicator of housing and food cost burden across cities

Adelaide vs Perth

Urban Stress & Living Expense Analysis

Data Snapshot: Adelaide (2025-09) | Perth (2025-09)

Adelaide

Australia

32.63 Stretched
VS

Perth

Australia

32.02 Stretched

Comparative Metrics Breakdown

Metric Adelaide Perth
Average Monthly Salary 8207.77 9337.03
Monthly Rent (1BR Central) 2028.00 2340.00
Monthly Food Cost 650.00 650.00
Rental Index (% of Income) 24.71% 25.06%
Engels Index (Food % of Income) 7.92% 6.96%
Urban Stress Index (USI) 32.63 32.02

Executive Stress Analysis

Both Adelaide and Perth exhibit closely aligned living expense ratios. As domestic markets within Australia, direct nominal benchmarking reveals Adelaide carrying an Urban Stress Index of 32.63 (Stretched) versus Perth's 32.02 (Stretched). Nominal 1-bedroom central rents stand at 2028.00 in Adelaide compared to 2340.00 in Perth. After deducting baseline central rent and essential grocery overhead, workers retain approximately 5529.71 per month in Adelaide versus 6347.17 in Perth—allowing residents in Perth to retain an estimated 817.46 more in monthly discretionary buffer.

Both urban centers exhibit highly aligned housing allocation ratios (Adelaide: 24.71% vs Perth: 25.06%), indicating similar rental market friction. Baseline food overhead remains comparable, with both locations requiring roughly 7.92% to 6.96% of local income for monthly grocery baskets.

Detailed Methodology & Local Sources

For complete statistical breakdowns, specific sampling proxies, and primary source citations: