Where should I not live in Adelaide?

To ensure your safety, the top suburbs to avoid because of high crime rates are Elizabeth, Port Adelaide, Bolivar, and Gepps Cross

For international students, we recommend avoiding the following suburbs because they are far from the major universities of Adelaide: Adelaide Hills, Woodcroft, Mount Barker, Elizabeth, and Barossa. 

Those which limited budgets are advised to avoid these suburbs because of the high price of monthly rates and median property values: Toorak Gardens, Unley Park, Malvern, Tennyson, and Hazelwood Park

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Suburb in Adelaide

Adelaide has been dubbed as Australia’s most liveable city of 2021 by The Economist, making it a popular choice among those seeking a new home.

However, there are still some factors you should consider when choosing a suburb to live in. These include its crime index, proximity to major universities, and the cost of rent and median property value here.

Unsafe Suburbs in Adelaide

Every city has its unsafe suburbs, and Adelaide is no exception. Here, we go through the suburbs with the highest and lowest crime rates in the city to help you in choosing your next home. 

But before we get into those suburbs—if you’re still considering relocating to Adelaide and are worried about its safety as a whole, you’ll be glad to know it is a safe city.

Is Adelaide safe?

Adelaide is a safe city both for tourists and residents. Its average crime rate is lower compared to other capital cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth. 

Statistics by Numbeo show that Adelaide scores 31.11 for its crime index. In comparison, the following are the crime index rates of the other capital cities in Australia:

Aside from this, Adelaide scores high in important factors that affect quality of life. According to the same source, the following are the city’s scores:

Planning to buy and rent out property in the area? We recommend hiring a property manager for ease of transaction.

Which suburbs in Adelaide have the highest crime rates?

The suburbs in Adelaide with the highest crime rates are Elizabeth, Port Adelaide, Bolivar, and Gepps Cross.

The data used for this comes from 2019–2022 reports of the SA Police as summarized by MyAdelaideLife. The rates for each neighborhood fluctuate monthly, but these suburbs consistently score high. 

According to The Advertiser, the police have noticed that crime rates were particularly high in areas that have big shopping areas. 

If you plan to live in the area, we recommend investing in security doors, as they add a layer of protection for your home.

Which suburbs in Adelaide are the safest to live in?

The safest suburbs to live in Adelaide because of their low crime rates includes

• Rosslyn Park
• Glenalta
• McLaren Flat
• Stonyfell

The crime-per-person rates in these suburbs are below 0.1, making these neighborhoods a great choice. This is according to data from MyAdelaideLife.

1. Rosslyn Park

Average crime rate: 0.006

Distance from Adelaide CBD: 6.9 km

Rosslyn Park, which tops our list of safest suburbs in Adelaide, is notable for housing significant buildings related to Adelaide’s wine culture. These include Penfolds Winery, Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold Reserve, and Grange Cottage.

2. Glenalta

Average crime rate: 0.006

Distance from Adelaide CBD: 11.3 km

Glenalta is a peaceful suburb in the Mount Lofty Range of Adelaide. It’s the perfect spot for those looking for a tranquil and peaceful environment. 

Placed near Belair National Park, it is a great place for family recreation, sports activities, and landscape viewing. 

3. McLaren Flat

Average crime rate: 0.006

Distance from Adelaide CBD: 44.6 km

McLaren Flat is one of the tourist destinations of Adelaide because it houses many local wineries. It also produces many berries and stone fruits that are priced affordably when in season. 

What activities can you do in McLaren Flat?

McLaren Flat is often part of Adelaide travel itineraries because it is where many of Adelaide’s wine cellars, vineyards, and pubs can be found. 

Some exciting activities you can do in McLaren Flat are wine tasting, sightseeing, and fine dining. 

4. Stonyfell

Average crime rate: 0.00678

Distance from Adelaide CBD: 7.5 km

Stonyfell is a perfect display of Adelaide’s wine history and its thriving economy. It is just a few minutes away from the CBD, and it also houses the early quarries and wineries of the city. 

How did Stonyfell get its name?

Stonyfell’s name comes from the word fell which is used to refer to barren land. This is ironic, given that the land served as one of the earliest vineyards of Adelaide. 

In relation to this, a wine cellar and winery made from quarried stone was established by Henry Septimus Clark. The Stonyfell Winery is his legacy, which is visited by many tourists yearly because of its quality wines.

Suburbs to Avoid in Adelaide for International Students

Adelaide houses many international students from all around the world. When choosing a location to stay in for your education, check out which suburbs to avoid because of their distance from the major universities of the city.

But if you’re still considering studying in Adelaide, you’ll be glad to know the city has excellent schools for international students.

Is Adelaide good for international students?

Adelaide is a great choice for international students, as it houses The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. Both of these are prestigious and known worldwide. 

In addition, its community is culturally diverse. You’ll find no difficulty in acclimating to the culture of the people here, which involves live music, wine, parks, and more.

Which suburbs in Adelaide are the farthest from universities?

If you’re a student of Adelaide, it’s best to avoid the following areas, as they are far from universities and colleges: 

• Adelaide Hills
• Woodcroft
• Mount Barker
• Elizabeth
• Barossa

Still, Adelaide has one of the best public transportation systems in the world. If you have the time and patience for everyday commuting, then Woodcroft, Mount Barker, and Elizabeth may be viable choices for you. 

If staying in an apartment is more feasible for your budget, we recommend checking out our list of the top ones in Adelaide. 

Which suburbs in Adelaide are great for international students?

If you’re an international student, it’s best to choose the following neighborhoods, as they are near universities and colleges: 

• North Adelaide
• Kensington
• Unley
• Henley Beach
• Fitzroy

Most of these are within 20–30 minutes of driving from Adelaide CBD. In addition, they have many student dormitories and residential colleges. 

In particular, North Adelaide is a great choice if you’re studying at the University of Adelaide, as it is where Lincoln College, Aquinas College, St. Ann’s College, and St. Mark’s College are located.

The Most Expensive Suburbs in Adelaide

Adelaide is home to many cultures—and budget levels. It’s wise to pick a suburb that best matches how much you can spend on your monthly rent or home. 

Which are the most expensive suburbs in Adelaide to live in?

In general, Adelaide is an affordable city to live in, as its median rates are significantly lower compared to Sydney and Melbourne according to The Property Tribune.

Still, there are a couple of suburbs in Adelaide to avoid in case you want to save up. These include Toorak Gardens, Unley Park, Malvern, Tennyson, and Hazelwood Park. 

The following are their median home values and median monthly rent based on Real Estate Australia. 

For comparison, Adelaide’s average median home value is within the range of $700,000–$745,000 according to Real Estate Australia.

On the other hand, the median monthly rent in the city ranges from $300 to $500 depending on the unit size according to My Adelaide Life.

Which are the most affordable suburbs in Adelaide to live in?

If you’re looking for an affordable suburb to stay in Adelaide, we recommend Elizabeth, Salisbury North, Davoren Park, Munno Para, and Brahma Lodge. 

The following are their median home values and median monthly rent based on Real Estate Australia data. 

Before purchasing a home, a thorough inspection of its adherence to safety standards should be done. This is to ensure that you get the best value for your money.