8 Best Places To Live In South Australia In 2025

It does not get as much attention (and love) as other parts of the nation, including the eastern territories, but several features of life in South Australia make it an enticing and lovely place to call home. For example, residents can look forward to four distinct seasons (don't take this for granted!) while boasting an overall mild climate, in addition to being home to several top-notch beaches. Something else: South Australia is relatively affordable. The truth is, you cannot compare house prices in South Australia to those in metropolises like Sydney or Melbourne. Furthermore, Adelaide and the region's other towns are often much less crowded. But which are the best places to live in South Australia? Read on to discover which towns are ideal to consider moving to in 2025.

Wallaroo

Wallaroo is a small, charming town of less than 4,000 residents on the western side of the Yorke Peninsula. Part of its appeal is that it is right on the water and, hence, has several white-sand beaches to explore. These include Sailing Club Beach, Office Beach (near the Wallaroo Beachfront Tourist Park), and North Beach, one of the finest on the Yorke Peninsula. Wallaroo Hospital and Health Services, a 21-bed complex established in 2019, provides excellent medical services to area residents. Another feature that speaks to Wallaroo’s appeal is its affordability. According to the property site realestate.com, houses in Wallaroo fetch a median listing of $485,000 (as of April 2025), way lower than South Australia’s median ($665,000) and Adelaide’s ($740,000). If you also factor in the solid shopping and dining scene, you have an almost perfect score in Wallaroo.

Port Augusta

Provided you get a house with a good shaded outdoor area (Port Augusta can be hot) and enjoy a modicum of outdoor action, you will find Port Augusta to be among the best places to live in South Australia. Most people feared that the shutdown of the coal power plants would leave it a complete shell with no jobs, but things have recently been looking bright, especially with the ongoing establishment of Vast Solar’s energy project, one of the world's largest single-tower solar thermal plants.

Known as the “Crossroads of Australia,” where the Outback meets the sea, this town boasts convenient transit routes to the Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula, and other outdoor locations. There is the beach, the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden, with its peaceful and well-marked walking trails, and Lake Dempsey. The Port Augusta Hospital and Regional Health Service, whose history goes back to the 1870s, is an honored name in the healthcare industry. And if you want to retire on the cheap, this seaside community is incredibly budget-friendly. Houses fetch a median listing price of just $245,000.

Strathalbyn

One of the reasons Strathalbyn is a 5-star destination for living is its proximity to Adelaide, South Australia’s largest city. For perspective, the City of Churches—as Adelaide is often called—is less than 50 minutes down the road. This comes with one huge advantage: Fantastic access to big-city amenities. Strathalbyn is a lovely country town with a nice library, tree-lined streets, and a small community theatre for meeting friends and enjoying light-hearted shows. For healthcare accessibility, Strathalbyn and District Health Service is right at your doorstep. Alternatively, there is the nearby Mount Barker Hospital, which operates a 24/7 emergency department. If you enjoy riding ponies, the thrill of country racing at Strathalbyn Racing Club could be the clincher. Finally, houses in Strathalbyn sell for a median listing price of $677,000.

Clare

With its excellent community spirit, ample shopping, and fantastic sporting clubs, such as the family-friendly South Clare Sports Club, Clare has a lot going in its favor. If you are into golfing, the Clare Golf Club, with its undulating fairways, is a fantastic spot to spend a lazy afternoon. There is also the beautiful Riesling Trail, if your free time revolves around strolling or cycling. But wait for the most exciting part: Clare Valley is home to some of Australia's best wineries. If worried about a midnight health scare, Clare Hospital, which was built in 1924, has been providing medical services to area residents for about a century. It is not overly expensive either. As of April 2025, the median listing price in Clare was just $495,000.

Victor Harbor

Victor Harbor is another fantastic place to live because it is about an hour from Adelaide. Tucked away on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, which is loved for its pristine beaches and world-class wineries, life here is slow-paced and stress-free. Plus, the climate here is mild, at least milder than Adelaide, and with soothing breezes and pretty beaches. Encounter Lake, a man-made beauty along Bartel Boulevard, is a fantastic spot to swim in on a hot day. There is no doubt that owning property around the lake is like winning a jackpot. Another underrated outdoor gem is Granite Island, where one can hike, watch whales, or ride a horse-drawn tram. With amenities such as Southern Fleurieu Health Service, which provides round-the-clock emergency services, there is scarcely any excuse for an out-of-town drive. Considering its location and what it offers, a median listing price of $692,700 looks fair and reasonable.

Mount Gambier

With its blend of city facilities and small-town charm, Mount Gambier offers the best of both worlds. With a population of about 25,000, you have a fairly vibrant community with a sizeable number of active cultural groups and social networks. You have the Mount Gambier Library, a lovely place for a gripping read, the Mount Gambier Golf Club, loved for its well-kept fairways and greens, Blue Lake, whose rims have lovely trails for walking, and, of course, a diverse range of job opportunities across various sectors. Keep in mind that Mount Gambier is the largest regional city in South Australia and, hence, provides several amenities. For example, Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service is right in town and offers a wide range of medical services. Finally, the median listing price for houses in Mount Gambier is a modest $486,500.

Hahndorf

An incredibly adorable town, though kitschy, Hahdorf is known (and loved) for its German heritage. It draws hordes of visitors from Adelaide and other parts of the country who come to sample its beautiful blend of culture, food, and historic German architecture. It is also a heartbeat away from Adelaide, as only 26 kilometers separate them. Hahndorf is particularly a hit with families because of the Hahndorf Farm Barn, where kids feed goats and cuddle rabbits; one of the most awesome bakeries in South Australia (Otto's Bakery), a bowling club, and its sizzling dining scene. Also, although there are several hospitals a doorbell away in Adelaide, Hahndorf Medical Centre is right in town and has been providing high-quality healthcare since 1930, several years before the Second World War. That said, Hahndorf is an affluent community. Houses sell for a median listing price of $1,150,000.

Burra

Burra is a lovely little town with decent restaurants, nice cafes, and a small collection of antique shops. To the east of town is Red Banks Conservation Park, where residents enjoy birdwatching and camping. You also have the Burra Golf Club, whose greens are lush and thick, and the nearby World's End Gorge, a nice place for walking, especially along the creek. If you have a thing for a quieter rural lifestyle, Burra boasts an almost perfect score. Keep in mind that Burra Hospital, whose history goes back nearly 150 years, is right on Commercial Street. This means there is no need to worry about a midnight emergency. Another exciting thing about Burra is that it is relatively affordable. You do not need to break the bank. Houses fetch a median listing price of just $395,000.

Suppose you want to live in a relatively affordable place and are not interested in pouring all your savings into an otherwise average house. In that case, it is time you started paying attention to beautiful South Australia. Homes are not just affordable; they are gateways to slower, gentler living. You will also have pretty beaches and golden sands, kissed daily by gentle waves, making for a serene environment to call home. Offering various employment opportunities, particularly in tourism, the wine industry, and healthcare, among others. The trick is to look for a place with good amenities, including hospitals and shopping venues, which makes the aforementioned towns worth moving to!