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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Canberra safety score: 78/100 (crime rate 28.5/1k) — above the Australia average of 66/100. Here's how Canberra compares to cities in Australian Capital Territory and what the data means for everyday life.
Canberra safety score: 78/100 (crime rate 28.5/1k) — above the Australia average of 66/100. Here's how Canberra compares to cities in Australian Capital Territory and what the data means for everyday life.
Canberra: cost index 120 (+7 vs national avg 113), rent $2,750/month.
Australian Capital Territory region average cost index: 113. Canberra is +7 vs region peers.
Quality of life: 67/100 — safety 78, healthcare 85, walkability 48.
Safety score: 78/100 (crime rate 28.5/1k). National average: 66/100.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income | QoL | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canberra | 120 | $2,750 | $101,000 | 67 | 78 |
| 2 | Hobart | 100 | $1,920 | $68,000 | 68 | 75 |
| 3 | Wollongong | 113 | $2,300 | $74,000 | 63 | 72 |
| 4 | Adelaide | 104 | $2,100 | $72,000 | 67 | 70 |
| 5 | Sydney | 132 | $3,200 | $90,000 | 62 | 68 |
| 6 | Geelong | 107 | $2,050 | $72,000 | 62 | 68 |
| 7 | Perth | 118 | $2,650 | $87,000 | 63 | 68 |
| 8 | Brisbane | 112 | $2,550 | $80,000 | 62 | 66 |
| 9 | Newcastle | 110 | $2,250 | $76,000 | 62 | 65 |
| 10 | Melbourne | 124 | $2,750 | $84,500 | 62 | 64 |
| 11 | Gold Coast | 109 | $2,400 | $72,000 | 60 | 62 |
| 12 | Cairns | 100 | $1,820 | $66,000 | 63 | 58 |
| 13 | Darwin | 116 | $2,350 | $80,000 | 55 | 48 |
Here's what the headline numbers don't tell you: Canberra has a cost index of 120 — 7 points above the Australia national average of 113. Median income is $101,000 with rent at $2,750/month, putting the rent-to-income ratio at 33%. This combination is rare — and valuable.
Pair that with the housing data, and the pattern sharpens. looking at Australian Capital Territory as a whole, the spread across all 13 cities is 4 points on the cost index. Darwin sits at the other end with index 116 and rent of $2,350/mo. This combination is rare — and valuable.
On quality of life, Canberra scores a composite score of 67/100 — reflecting its safety (78), healthcare (85), and walkability (48) metrics. And there's one more thing: affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Australia is a good example of that tension.
Canberra — cost index 120, rent $2,750/mo, income $101,000, QoL 67/100.
Hobart — cost index 100, rent $1,920/mo, income $68,000, QoL 68/100.
Wollongong — cost index 113, rent $2,300/mo, income $74,000, QoL 63/100.
Adelaide — cost index 104, rent $2,100/mo, income $72,000, QoL 67/100.
Sydney — cost index 132, rent $3,200/mo, income $90,000, QoL 62/100.
Canberra has a safety score of 78/100 and a crime rate of 28.5/1,000 residents. The Australia average safety score is 66/100.
The Australian Capital Territory region of average QoL score is 63/100. Canberra leads with 67/100, 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.
Canberra: cost index 120, rent $2,750/mo, income $101,000/yr, QoL 67/100. 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.