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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Darwin walkability score: 52/100, transit score 22/100, average commute 18 min. How walkable is Darwin vs other Northern Territory cities?
Darwin walkability score: 52/100, transit score 22/100, average commute 18 min. How walkable is Darwin vs other Northern Territory cities?
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.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income | Walk Score | Transit Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darwin | 116 | $2,350 | $80,000 | 52 | 22 |
| 2 | Melbourne | 124 | $2,750 | $84,500 | 80 | 76 |
| 3 | Sydney | 132 | $3,200 | $90,000 | 76 | 72 |
| 4 | Newcastle | 110 | $2,250 | $76,000 | 62 | 38 |
| 5 | Brisbane | 112 | $2,550 | $80,000 | 62 | 55 |
| 6 | Adelaide | 104 | $2,100 | $72,000 | 62 | 45 |
| 7 | Hobart | 100 | $1,920 | $68,000 | 62 | 28 |
| 8 | Wollongong | 113 | $2,300 | $74,000 | 58 | 32 |
| 9 | Geelong | 107 | $2,050 | $72,000 | 58 | 28 |
| 10 | Perth | 118 | $2,650 | $87,000 | 58 | 48 |
| 11 | Cairns | 100 | $1,820 | $66,000 | 55 | 22 |
| 12 | Gold Coast | 109 | $2,400 | $72,000 | 48 | 32 |
| 13 | Canberra | 120 | $2,750 | $101,000 | 48 | 38 |
The conventional wisdom says one thing. The data says another: 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%. This combination is rare — and valuable.
And there's one more thing: looking at Northern Territory as a whole, the spread across all 13 cities is 4 points on the cost index. Canberra sits at the other end with index 120 and rent of $2,750/mo. Financially, that's significant.
On quality of life, Darwin scores a composite score of 55/100 — reflecting its safety (48), healthcare (58), and walkability (52) metrics. Zooming out, 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.
Melbourne — cost index 124, rent $2,750/mo, income $84,500, QoL 62/100.
Sydney — cost index 132, rent $3,200/mo, income $90,000, QoL 62/100.
Newcastle — cost index 110, rent $2,250/mo, income $76,000, QoL 62/100.
Brisbane — cost index 112, rent $2,550/mo, income $80,000, QoL 62/100.
Darwin has a cost index of 116 (national avg: 113), rent $2,350/mo, median income $80,000/yr, and a quality of life score of 55/100.
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. Melbourne: cost index 124, rent $2,750/mo, income $84,500/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.