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When retirees think of affordable places to live overseas, Australia doesn’t necessarily come to mind. Although it is a beautiful country with an embarrassing amount of wealth, many parts of the country, especially its most famous city, Sydney, are notoriously expensive. But the truth is, there are many amazingly affordable places to retire in Australia. Some companies may be better known than others, but they all have a lot to offer American retirees.
Here, using data from Numbeo, let’s take a look at how the cost of living in these cities in Australia compares to the cost of living in Los Angeles, California.
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hobart
Overall price compared to Los Angeles: 9.5% cheaper than Los Angeles
Rent cost compared to Los Angeles: 49.7% lower than Los Angeles
Restaurant costs compared to Los Angeles: 28.3% lower than Los Angeles
Hobart is considered not only the most affordable capital city in all of Australia, but also the safest. Rent is basically half of what it is in Los Angeles, so you can live in the city’s capital without paying the prices. In addition to a vibrant arts and culture scene, Hobart also has beautiful beaches. The beach is a common word heard by people considering retirement in many Australian cities.
MORE: These are America’s 50 fastest-growing retirement hotspots
adelaide
Overall price compared to Los Angeles: 9.9% cheaper than Los Angeles
Rent costs compared to Los Angeles: 48.9% lower than Los Angeles
Restaurant costs compared to Los Angeles: 15.7% lower than Los Angeles
Adelaide’s overall costs are only about 10% lower than Los Angeles, but where this city really shines is in the rents. If that’s your main expense, moving to Adelaide could save you nearly half your rental budget. In addition to being Australia’s festival capital, Adelaide also offers free public transport. This helps keep costs down and is especially important for seniors.
darwin
Overall price vs Los Angeles: Not enough data to calculate
Rent costs compared to Los Angeles: 37.3% lower than Los Angeles
Restaurant costs compared to Los Angeles: 11.4% lower than Los Angeles
Darwin is the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory and boasts the amenities of a large city with a population of over 132,000 people. Described by some as where the outback meets the city, Darwin boasts the best of both worlds, with natural beauty and parks alongside the cultural and lifestyle benefits of a big city.
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perspective
Overall price vs. Los Angeles: 14.2% lower than Los Angeles
Rent costs compared to Los Angeles: 46.5% lower than Los Angeles
Restaurant costs compared to Los Angeles: 27.2% lower than Los Angeles
Perth is often overlooked as it is located in the south-west corner of the Australian continent and is one of the most remote major cities in the world. But unlike its sister cities on the country’s east coast, Western Australia’s capital offers year-round sunshine, beaches galore, fewer crowds and a lower cost of living.
gold coast
Overall price vs. Los Angeles: 20.2% lower than Los Angeles
Cost of rent compared to Los Angeles: 41.7% lower than Los Angeles
Restaurant costs compared to Los Angeles: 33% lower than Los Angeles
Despite its colorful name, the Gold Coast is one of Australia’s cheapest cities. In addition to some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the country, the Gold Coast is also home to a number of national parks. The city is one of the safest in the country, culturally diverse, and a great place to raise a family.
sydney
Overall price vs. Los Angeles: 3.8% lower than Los Angeles
Cost of rent compared to Los Angeles: 18.5% lower than Los Angeles
Restaurant costs compared to Los Angeles: 28.6% lower than Los Angeles
Surprisingly, even in the “expensive” city of Sydney, Australia, the cost of living is actually lower than in Los Angeles. Overall costs are a fine line, but rent in Sydney is nearly 20% cheaper than in Los Angeles, and eating out is nearly a third cheaper. If you want to live in a beach city with actually warm water, Sydney may be a better choice than Los Angeles or any beach city on the West Coast of the United States.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Amazingly Affordable Places to Retire in Australia
