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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Can you afford Wollongong on a A$120K salary? Rent would be 23% of gross monthly income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget breakdown vs New South Wales peers below.
Can you afford Wollongong on a A$120K salary? Rent would be 23% of gross monthly income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget breakdown vs New South Wales peers below.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wollongong | 113 | $2,300 | $74,000 |
| 2 | Newcastle | 110 | $2,250 | $76,000 |
| 3 | Sydney | 132 | $3,200 | $90,000 |
Wollongong: cost index 113 (0 vs national avg 113), rent $2,300/month.
New South Wales region average cost index: 118. Wollongong is -5 vs region peers.
Quality of life: 63/100 — safety 72, healthcare 72, walkability 58.
Safety score: 72/100 (crime rate 38.8/1k). National average: 66/100.
On a A$120K salary, rent in Wollongong is 23% of gross monthly income — within the 30% rule.
Here's what the headline numbers don't tell you: Wollongong has a cost index of 113 — 0 points below the Australia national average of 113. Median income is $74,000 with rent at $2,300/month, putting the rent-to-income ratio at 37%. This is where the math gets real for actual people.
On quality of life, Wollongong scores a composite score of 63/100 — reflecting its safety (72), healthcare (72), and walkability (58) metrics. Zooming out, affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Australia is a good example of that tension.
Wollongong — cost index 113, rent $2,300/mo, income $74,000, QoL 63/100.
Newcastle — cost index 110, rent $2,250/mo, income $76,000, QoL 62/100.
Sydney — cost index 132, rent $3,200/mo, income $90,000, QoL 62/100.
Wollongong has a cost index of 113 (national avg: 113), rent $2,300/mo, median income $74,000/yr, and a quality of life score of 63/100.
In Wollongong, rent would be about 23% of your gross monthly income on A$120K. Well within the recommended 30% threshold.
The New South Wales region of average QoL score is 62/100. Wollongong leads with 63/100, reflecting safety, healthcare access, walkability, and green space.
Our index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Sub-categories cover housing, food, transport, utilities, and healthcare. Data sources include ABS, CoreLogic, ATO.
Wollongong: cost index 113, rent $2,300/mo, income $74,000/yr, QoL 63/100. Newcastle: cost index 110, rent $2,250/mo, income $76,000/yr, QoL 62/100.
This analysis uses data from ABS, CoreLogic, ATO to rank cities in Australia. The cost of living index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Quality of life scores combine safety, healthcare, walkability, air quality, green space, and transit metrics. Salary ranges use national occupation data adjusted for local cost differences. Data is updated regularly to reflect current market conditions.