Australia’s southernmost capital city, Hobart, is located on the island of Tasmania. Famous for its delicious food, fascinating arts and culture scene, beautiful landscapes and friendly locals, Hobart is a great place to study.
Even better, it’s also an affordable place, making it an attractive option for international students from around the world. Check out this helpful guide to learn more about Hobart, Tasmania’s cost of living.
The cost of accommodation in Hobart
Inner city
As Tasmania is quite small, there’s not a whole lot of difference in the cost of living between the inner city and the outer suburbs.
You’ll find plenty of liveable areas close to town, including Hobart, Mount Stuart, Glebe, Battery Point and North, West and South Hobart. On average, rent in Hobart can cost anywhere from $580 to $640 per week.
Living in a sharehouse is the perfect way to meet new people while saving money. In the city, you could pay anywhere from $175 to $350 per week for a room in a sharehouse.
Suburbs
If you want to live close to the University of Tasmania campus, a private rental in Sandy Bay or Dynnyrne will cost you from $600 to $650 per week. Alternatively, suburbs like New Town, Lenah Valley, Moonah, Derwent Park and Lutana outside of Hobart rent for an average weekly price of $510 to $590.
Renting a room in these areas is a cheaper option, and you can expect to pay between $170 and $320 per week to live in a sharehouse.
Student accommodation
Student housing might be the perfect choice for you if you want the convenience of living close to campus and having most of your bills included in your rent.
Most of Hobart’s student accommodation is managed by the University of Tasmania, but you can find some private providers, too.
The cost of student accommodation will vary depending on your room size, the duration of your stay and whether you are sharing with others, and will cost anywhere from $200 to $340 weekly.
Homestay
A homestay arrangement is where you live with a local family while you study, making this an ideal option for people who appreciate the supportive, comfortable environment of home.
This accommodation type will cost between $295 and $350 weekly for students over the age of 18, depending on how many meals are included.
Which one to pick?
With so many great options on offer, how do you pick the one that is right for you?
Take some time to think about what’s important to you. Do you enjoy privacy or socialising with other people? Do you want to be close to the city to enjoy nightlife and entertainment, or would you rather live somewhere more peaceful?
Don’t forget to consider related expenses, too. For instance, while you may pay a little more to live in town, it could save you money on public transport.
The cost of public transport in Hobart
Public transport in Hobart is run by Metro Tasmania. They operate a number of regular bus routes around the city, known as the Metro, that make it easy to get wherever you want to go.
To catch a bus, you can either purchase a paper bus ticket from your driver for each trip or buy a reloadable Greencard. Not only is a Greencard more convenient, as you don’t need to carry exact change, but you will even receive a discounted fare for using one.
Once you have tapped on or purchased a ticket, you can transfer between services for free for 90 minutes.
Concession rate
As an international student, make sure you take advantage of Metro’s concession pricing, which entitles you to a discount on transport in Hobart.
For example, a single adult trip that would cost you $2.80 will cost you just $1.92 as a concession. Your daily travel costs are also capped at $5.80 on weekdays or $3.10 on weekends and public holidays.
The cost of food in Hobart
Hobart is famous for its fresh produce, including world-class seafood and fruit. Whether you’re dining out or cooking at home, you’ll be sure to enjoy something delicious!
Eating out
On average, a cafe breakfast in Hobart is going to cost you anywhere from $15 to $20. Add an extra $5 for a coffee or $7 to $10 for a smoothie or fresh juice.
For lunch or dinner at a restaurant, you’ll spend anywhere from $20 to $50 per person. If you want to save some money, keep an eye out for the many special deals and discounts, like parma nights or happy hours, offered at venues around the city.
While restaurant prices may seem expensive to you, this is due to the fact that waiters and service staff here receive a liveable minimum wage.
It’s also important to remember that Australia does not have a tipping culture. While you might be asked whether you want to leave a tip, it is never expected or required, as workers here are paid fairly for their time.
Eating in
While dining out is a nice treat, you’ll probably want to cook at home at least a few times a week to save money.
Grocery costs in Hobart are around 10% cheaper than the rest of Australia, so you’ll find it easy to fill your cupboard for less. On average, you’ll pay $1.76 for a litre of milk, $2.70 for a loaf of white bread and $3.16 for a kilogram of white rice.
The cost of entertainment in Hobart
Nightlife
When heading to a bar featuring live music, burlesque or other entertainment, you will probably be asked to pay a cover charge to enter. Usually, this will be no more than $10 per person.
A glass of wine, beer or cider costs approximately $10 to $16, depending on the venue. Spirits can range from $12 to $18 per glass, while cocktails will usually cost between $16 and $25 each.
Shows
Because travelling to Australia is expensive, concerts in Hobart can be more costly than you might expect.
While you’ll likely pay between $30 to $50 a ticket to see local or Australian acts and shows, international or larger acts will probably set you back $100 or more. For a dance or theatre performance, you can usually grab a ticket in a cheap seat for around $45, while better seats will cost up to $150.
Movies
Much like anywhere else in Australia, a student movie ticket in Hobart will likely cost you around $18 to $21.
However, don’t forget to check out your local cinema for special deals and discounts. For example, Village Cinema members can get 50% off tickets on Tuesdays or $10 student tickets on Wednesdays, while State Cinema Hobart members receive every eighth ticket for free.
Fitness
Joining a gym is a fantastic way to stay active and unwind during your studies. Membership rates vary depending on your chosen gym and whether you receive extra benefits, like access to group classes, personal training or multiple locations.
Depending on your choices, a gym membership will probably cost you between $10 and $18 per week. Many gyms charge a joining fee and a fee for your access keycard or fob as well, so remember to factor this in as well.
Find out more about Hobart, Tasmania’s cost of living with our handy calculator.
