New data shows South Australia has the highest inflation rate in the country

South Australian families are battling the highest inflation rate in the country, as the cost of living hits hard – so how are they managing?

South Australians are fighting a losing battle with the cost-of-living crisis as statistics reveal the state has the highest inflation rate in the country.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data has shown the CPI rose 4.8 per cent throughout December 2022 and December 2023 in Adelaide, the largest increase in Australia.

For the September-December 2023 quarter, Adelaide’s inflation rate was 0.7 per cent – the second-highest quarterly rate in the country.

Silvia Wade, 75, from Parkside, at Frewville Foodland. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Silvia Wade, 75, was shocked after spending $150, an amount that she “wasn’t really expecting to spend”.

“I’ve already done my weekly shopping,” Ms Wade said. “Admittedly there are some spoilings in there but most of (it) are staples.

“I was tempted to get some organic things just for my own health but that’s out of the question.”

Caring for a terminally ill person, Ms Wade said the cost-of-living crisis has had a major presence at home.

“My electricity (bills) … Those sorts of things are very high because overnight I have to keep the airconditioning going just so the person can breathe,” she said.

“The cost of that is huge. But look, we’ll manage … Stay optimistic about it.”

Leslie Brewer, 58, from Strathalbyn at Frewville Foodland. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Leslie Brewer, a Romney sheep breeder from Strathalbyn, admitted that she noticed the impact of inflation on a week-by-week basis.

“Whether it’s 10c (or) 50c, it’s whizzing up,” the 58-year-old said. “You do notice it.”

She has been able to find ways to combat the statewide crisis.

“I like cooking – and I’m quite good at shopping – (but) I do think a lot of people need to look at how they shop.

“Even though things are a little outrageous, you can really work it out if you learn how to make your own food and cook and everything,”

“You don’t have to cut down on eating well, just know how to make the food into something and make a good meal from it.”

Jo Jury, 70, from Eastwood, at Frewville Foodland. Picture: The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette

Jo Jury, 70, has had to start “watching things”, something she says she’s never needed to do before.

“You (now) look at prices at supermarkets whereas once upon a time you’d go in and (just) do your shopping, but now you pick up not many things and then they go ‘oh that’s $100’,” she said.

“I feel sorry for people with young families or anyone with school-aged children.”

Although the cost-of-living crisis is wreaking havoc on the state, South Australia recently leapt over Victoria to be officially crowned the best-performing economy in the nation by CommSec, an arm of the Commonwelath Bank.

“For the first time in the history of our reports, South Australia has taken the lead,’’ CommSec chief economist Craig James said.

“Population growth in South Australia has tripled over the past two years, which is showing up in a strong housing market and overall economic activity.’’

Business SA chief executive Andrew Kay said despite the ranking, local businesses were still facing many challenges. However, he was optimistic about the future.

“Retail demand is slowing and the costs of doing business continue to rise, so coming off a strong base will hopefully help our resilience in overcoming the hurdles ahead,” he said.