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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Geelong quality of life score: 62/100 (Australia avg: 63/100). Combines safety (68), healthcare (72), walkability (58), air quality (AQI 20) and green space (25%). Compared to Victoria peers in 2026.
Geelong quality of life score: 62/100 (Australia avg: 63/100). Combines safety (68), healthcare (72), walkability (58), air quality (AQI 20) and green space (25%). Compared to Victoria peers in 2026.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income | QoL | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geelong | 107 | $2,050 | $72,000 | 62 | 68 |
| 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 | Brisbane | 112 | $2,550 | $80,000 | 62 | 66 |
| 12 | Gold Coast | 109 | $2,400 | $72,000 | 60 | 62 |
| 13 | Darwin | 116 | $2,350 | $80,000 | 55 | 48 |
Geelong: cost index 107 (-6 vs national avg 113), rent $2,050/month.
Victoria region average cost index: 113. Geelong is -6 vs region peers.
Quality of life: 62/100 — safety 68, healthcare 72, walkability 58.
Safety score: 68/100 (crime rate 45.5/1k). National average: 66/100.
Here's what the headline numbers don't tell you: Geelong has a cost index of 107 — 6 points below the Australia national average of 113. Median income is $72,000 with rent at $2,050/month, putting the rent-to-income ratio at 34%. This is where the math gets real for actual people.
Pair that with the housing data, and the pattern sharpens. looking at Victoria as a whole, the spread across all 13 cities is 9 points on the cost index. Darwin sits at the other end with index 116 and rent of $2,350/mo. That's a strong position by any measure.
On quality of life, Geelong scores a composite score of 62/100 — reflecting its safety (68), healthcare (72), and walkability (58) metrics. And here's the trade-off: affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Australia is a good example of that tension.
Geelong — cost index 107, rent $2,050/mo, income $72,000, QoL 62/100.
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.
Geelong has a composite quality of life score of 62/100, covering safety (68), healthcare (72), walkability (58), air quality, and green space. Australia average QoL: 63/100.
The Victoria region of average QoL score is 63/100. Geelong leads with 62/100, 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.
Geelong: cost index 107, rent $2,050/mo, income $72,000/yr, QoL 62/100. 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.