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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Perth walkability score: 58/100, transit score 48/100, average commute 30 min. How walkable is Perth vs other Western Australia cities?
Perth walkability score: 58/100, transit score 48/100, average commute 30 min. How walkable is Perth vs other Western Australia cities?
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.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income | Walk Score | Transit Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perth | 118 | $2,650 | $87,000 | 58 | 48 |
| 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 | Cairns | 100 | $1,820 | $66,000 | 55 | 22 |
| 11 | Darwin | 116 | $2,350 | $80,000 | 52 | 22 |
| 12 | Gold Coast | 109 | $2,400 | $72,000 | 48 | 32 |
| 13 | Canberra | 120 | $2,750 | $101,000 | 48 | 38 |
Here's where the conversation shifts from 'affordable' to 'strategic': 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%. This combination is rare — and valuable.
Zooming out, looking at Western Australia as a whole, the spread across all 13 cities is 2 points on the cost index. Canberra sits at the other end with index 120 and rent of $2,750/mo. That's not a marginal difference — it reshapes your monthly budget.
On quality of life, Perth scores a composite score of 63/100 — reflecting its safety (68), healthcare (80), and walkability (58) 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.
Perth — cost index 118, rent $2,650/mo, income $87,000, QoL 63/100.
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.
Perth has a cost index of 118 (national avg: 113), rent $2,650/mo, median income $87,000/yr, and a quality of life score of 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. 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.