Sunshine Coast Serenity: Moving from Adelaide to Queensland’s Coastal Gem

Living on the Sunshine Coast offers a lifestyle that is hard to match, especially when compared to a city like Adelaide. Of course, there are a multitude of reasons why people prefer to live in Adelaide, but the Sunshine Coast boasts unique advantages that make it an ideal place to call home whether you’re relocating by yourself, as a couple, or as a family.

Climate

One of the biggest perks of the Sunshine Coast living experience is its climate. Queensland boasts a subtropical climate, experiencing an average of 300 sunny days a year, clearing the way for people to enjoy outdoor activities year-round. The region enjoys warm summers with temperatures averaging around 28°C (82°F). Meanwhile, mild winters rarely drop below 10°C (50°F).

In contrast, Adelaide, which also boasts a Mediterranean climate, experiences hotter summers and colder winters. Overall, the consistent, pleasant weather on the Sunshine Coast encourages a more active and outdoor lifestyle.

Economic opportunities and growth

When you glance at the Sunshine Coast property market insights, the city continues to experience significant economic growth and development, making it an attractive place for professionals and entrepreneurs. Over the past 15 years, a place known primarily for sunny coast adventures has outperformed almost every other regional economy in terms of economic growth.

The region has invested heavily in infrastructure, including the development of the Maroochydore City Centre, which opened in 2022 and aims to become Australia’s first truly smart city. This growth presents numerous job opportunities in various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and tourism.

However, Adelaide still holds the edge in this regard, with multiple established industries in its city.

Quality of life and cost of living

The quality of life on Sunshine Coast is exceptionally high as the region places a huge emphasis on sustainability and preserving natural beauty to ensure a clean and healthy environment.

Aside from the beachside bliss and seaside serenity of the Sunshine Coast, the cost of living in this region is significantly lower compared to Adelaide. Factor in the value derived from the lifestyle advantages and cheaper housing options as you’ll discover below, it’s no surprise why Sunshine Coast experiences an average of 8,000 new residents each year.

Housing costs

One of the most significant factors affecting the cost of living is housing. In Queensland, especially outside the major cities like Brisbane, property prices and rental rates are generally lower than those in Adelaide.

The Sunshine Coast, for instance, offers a variety of housing options, from coastal homes to hinterland retreats, often at more affordable prices compared to Adelaide's inner suburbs and popular areas. In fact, Numbeo claims that rent prices in Sunshine Coast are at least 15.5% lower than in Adelaide.

As you plan your relocation to Sunshine Coast, one of the first things you’ll do is assess the coastal living benefits comparison between the two cities. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, we’ve compared the average cost of living in a one-bedroom apartment between Adelaide and Sunshine Coast, comparing rates such as housing, utilities, entertainment, transportation, and groceries.

Housing costs

Like in every city around the world, rent payments can vary significantly based on the area.

As of 2024, average rental prices in the city center of Adelaide costs around AUD 1,800 per month. If you want to live in the suburbs, the rates drop to about AUD 1,200 per month.

In terms of buying a home, The median house price in Adelaide is approximately AUD 650,000, though prices can be higher in desirable areas like North Adelaide or Glenelg.

Moving on to Sunshine Coast, rent prices at the heart of the city cost around AUD 1,500 per month. For suburban areas like Caloundra, monthly rentals range closer to AUD 1,200 per month.

The median house price on the Sunshine Coast is a bit more expensive than in Adelaide, ranging from AUD 750,000, with popular areas like Noosa being more expensive.

Utilities

For this category, we only measured the cost of basic utilities, including electricity, heating, gas, cooling, water, and garbage disposal. In Adelaide, the average monthly cost for utilities is about AUD 250. The utility costs of living in Sunshine Coast isn’t far behind, with an average of around AUD 240.

Groceries

For this comparison, let’s say you’re only allocating groceries for yourself. The monthly costs for a single person is approximately AUD 300-400. One of the coastal living benefits of the Sunshine Coast is that the region is in proximity to fertile farming areas providing fresh and affordable produce. That said, the monthly cost of groceries for a single person tiptoes around AUD 280-380.

Public transport

Getting around the city of Adelaide via public transport isn’t hard as the city’s transport system consists of buses, trains, and trams. In fact, Adelaide Metro offers free public transport options in the city and North Adelaide. Figuring out the average monthly cost of one person in Adelaide can be tricky as the rates fluctuate depending on your time of travel.

Similar to Adelaide, Sunshine Coast offers multiple transport systems to find all the different Queensland coastal escapes. However, the drawback is that they’re not as widely available compared to living in Adelaide and most of their transport systems are buses. On average, monthly public transport will cost AUD 100.

Lifestyle

While the lifestyle of living in Adelaide is far more different than in Queensland, both areas do have multiple restaurants and fitness centers. In Adelaide, the average cost of eating in a restaurant costs about AUD 25-35 per person while gym memberships can cost anywhere from AUD 60-80 per month.

The cost of dining and gym memberships in Sunshine Coast are similar to Adelaide, with restaurants charging about AUD 25-35 per person while you can also expect gym memberships to be around AUD 60-80 per month.

While the Sunshine Coast is more known for Queensland coastal escapes, there’s a multitude of activities you can do to keep you busy the whole year round.

Beaches

If there’s one thing Sunshine Coast is known for, it's their stunning beaches. You can never go wrong by taking a visit to popular surf spots such as Coolum Beach and Sunshine Beach. For family-oriented beaches, you can always tread the waters of Mooloolaba and Noosa.

These beaches provide endless opportunities for swimming, surfing, kayaking, and for those who want to experience a tranquil coastal retreat.

Outdoor activities

Beyond the beaches, the Sunshine Coast offers different outdoor activities. The hinterland, with its lush rainforests, waterfalls, and the iconic Glass House Mountains, is perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and exploring nature.

The Noosa National Park and the Maroochy River also offer additional venues for outdoor recreation.

Community and lifestyle

The Sunshine Coast community is vibrant and welcoming, making the transition 100% easier. With a population that embraces outdoor living, it’s easy to find like-minded individuals and families who value a healthy, active lifestyle.

Furthermore, the Sunshine Coast boasts a thriving cultural scene. The region is home to multiple art galleries, museums, and hosts festivals that celebrate its rich heritage and creative spirit.

As you embark on discovering the different sun-drenched coastal delights Sunshine Coast has to offer, there are a few things you should do to ensure you plan your move as efficiently and stress-free as possible.

Here are a few Queensland Coastal Living Tips to remember.

Choose the right suburb

Before you officially make the move, understand the different towns and suburbs in Sunshine Coast. Some areas are more known to have a bustling coastal life, others offer a more serene hinterland, while other areas are more suited for growing families.

As you browse through different Queensland coastal living guides, you’ll find out that the Sunshine Coast is known for three suburbs: Noosa, Caloundra, and Moolooolaba.

Noosa

Known for its luxury and natural beauty, Noosa is more of an upscale living environment. It's ideal for those who enjoy city living, including activities such as high-end dining, shopping, and access to different parks.

Caloundra

Offering a quieter, more family-oriented environment, Caloundra has beautiful beaches and a slower pace of life, making it perfect for raising children or enjoying a relaxed retirement.

Mooloolaba

This area is perfect for those who love being outdoors. With a vibrant nightlife, a stunning beachfront, and numerous restaurants, Mooloolaba is ideal for young professionals and people on a vacation

Prepare for the climate

The Sunshine Coast’s subtropical climate is different from Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate, so preparing for this change is essential. The summers can get hot and humid on some days while the winters are typically mild and pleasant. Thoroughly inspect a home or apartment before purchasing and ensure it has adequate weatherproofing solutions to handle the different seasons.

Secure employment and expand your network

If you don’t have a job lined up, start your job search early to be sure you’ll still have money rolling in every month once you move. While the Sunshine Coast is still in the steady process of developing its business centers, jobs around tourism, healthcare, education, and technology are more in demand.

Whilst you’re still in the planning phase of your relocation, connecting with locals in the area online can help make your move smoother.