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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Perth quality of life score: 63/100 (Australia avg: 63/100). Combines safety (68), healthcare (80), walkability (58), air quality (AQI 20) and green space (25%). Compared to Western Australia peers in 2026.
Perth quality of life score: 63/100 (Australia avg: 63/100). Combines safety (68), healthcare (80), walkability (58), air quality (AQI 20) and green space (25%). Compared to Western Australia peers in 2026.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perth | 118 | $2,650 | $87,000 |
| 2 | Hobart | 100 | $1,920 | $68,000 |
| 3 | Adelaide | 104 | $2,100 | $72,000 |
| 4 | Canberra | 120 | $2,750 | $101,000 |
| 5 | Wollongong | 113 | $2,300 | $74,000 |
| 6 | Cairns | 100 | $1,820 | $66,000 |
| 7 | Sydney | 132 | $3,200 | $90,000 |
| 8 | Newcastle | 110 | $2,250 | $76,000 |
| 9 | Melbourne | 124 | $2,750 | $84,500 |
| 10 | Geelong | 107 | $2,050 | $72,000 |
| 11 | Brisbane | 112 | $2,550 | $80,000 |
| 12 | Gold Coast | 109 | $2,400 | $72,000 |
| 13 | Darwin | 116 | $2,350 | $80,000 |
Perth: cost index 118 (+5 vs national avg 113), rent $2,650/month.
Western Australia region average cost index: 113. Perth is +5 vs region peers.
Quality of life: 63/100 — safety 68, healthcare 80, walkability 58.
Safety score: 68/100 (crime rate 48.5/1k). National average: 66/100.
Here's the finding that keeps coming up in different analyses: Perth has a cost index of 118 — 5 points above the Australia national average of 113. Median income is $87,000 with rent at $2,650/month, putting the rent-to-income ratio at 37%. That's a strong position by any measure.
And there's one more thing: looking at Western Australia as a whole, the spread across all 13 cities is 2 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, Perth scores a composite score of 63/100 — reflecting its safety (68), healthcare (80), and walkability (58) metrics. Here's where it gets complicated: affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Australia is a good example of that tension.
Perth — cost index 118, rent $2,650/mo, income $87,000, QoL 63/100.
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.
Perth has a composite quality of life score of 63/100, covering safety (68), healthcare (80), walkability (58), air quality, and green space. Australia average QoL: 63/100.
The Western Australia region of average QoL score is 63/100. Perth 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.
Perth: cost index 118, rent $2,650/mo, income $87,000/yr, QoL 63/100. 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.