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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Darwin quality of life score: 55/100 (Australia avg: 63/100). Combines safety (48), healthcare (58), walkability (52), air quality (AQI 18) and green space (30%). Compared to Northern Territory peers in 2026.
Darwin quality of life score: 55/100 (Australia avg: 63/100). Combines safety (48), healthcare (58), walkability (52), air quality (AQI 18) and green space (30%). Compared to Northern Territory peers in 2026.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income | QoL | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darwin | 116 | $2,350 | $80,000 | 55 | 48 |
| 2 | Hobart | 100 | $1,920 | $68,000 | 68 | 75 |
| 3 | Adelaide | 104 | $2,100 | $72,000 | 67 | 70 |
| 4 | Canberra | 120 | $2,750 | $101,000 | 67 | 78 |
| 5 | Wollongong | 113 | $2,300 | $74,000 | 63 | 72 |
| 6 | Cairns | 100 | $1,820 | $66,000 | 63 | 58 |
| 7 | Perth | 118 | $2,650 | $87,000 | 63 | 68 |
| 8 | Sydney | 132 | $3,200 | $90,000 | 62 | 68 |
| 9 | Newcastle | 110 | $2,250 | $76,000 | 62 | 65 |
| 10 | Melbourne | 124 | $2,750 | $84,500 | 62 | 64 |
| 11 | Geelong | 107 | $2,050 | $72,000 | 62 | 68 |
| 12 | Brisbane | 112 | $2,550 | $80,000 | 62 | 66 |
| 13 | Gold Coast | 109 | $2,400 | $72,000 | 60 | 62 |
Darwin: cost index 116 (+3 vs national avg 113), rent $2,350/month.
Northern Territory region average cost index: 113. Darwin is +3 vs region peers.
Quality of life: 55/100 — safety 48, healthcare 58, walkability 52.
Safety score: 48/100 (crime rate 85.4/1k). National average: 66/100.
One stat flips the usual narrative: Darwin has a cost index of 116 — 3 points above the Australia national average of 113. Median income is $80,000 with rent at $2,350/month, putting the rent-to-income ratio at 35%. That's a strong position by any measure.
And there's one more thing: looking at Northern Territory as a whole, the spread across all 13 cities is 7 points on the cost index. Gold Coast sits at the other end with index 109 and rent of $2,400/mo. This stands out as genuinely impressive.
On quality of life, Darwin scores a composite score of 55/100 — reflecting its safety (48), healthcare (58), and walkability (52) metrics. Layer in taxes, though, and the math changes. affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Australia is a good example of that tension.
Darwin — cost index 116, rent $2,350/mo, income $80,000, QoL 55/100.
Hobart — cost index 100, rent $1,920/mo, income $68,000, QoL 68/100.
Adelaide — cost index 104, rent $2,100/mo, income $72,000, QoL 67/100.
Canberra — cost index 120, rent $2,750/mo, income $101,000, QoL 67/100.
Wollongong — cost index 113, rent $2,300/mo, income $74,000, QoL 63/100.
Darwin has a composite quality of life score of 55/100, covering safety (48), healthcare (58), walkability (52), air quality, and green space. Australia average QoL: 63/100.
The Northern Territory region of average QoL score is 63/100. Darwin leads with 55/100, 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.
Darwin: cost index 116, rent $2,350/mo, income $80,000/yr, QoL 55/100. Hobart: cost index 100, rent $1,920/mo, income $68,000/yr, QoL 68/100.
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.