Loading
Assembling your view…
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Wollongong quality of life score: 63/100 (Australia avg: 63/100). Combines safety (72), healthcare (72), walkability (58), air quality (AQI 22) and green space (30%). Compared to New South Wales peers in 2026.
Wollongong quality of life score: 63/100 (Australia avg: 63/100). Combines safety (72), healthcare (72), walkability (58), air quality (AQI 22) and green space (30%). Compared to New South Wales peers in 2026.
| # | City | Cost Index | Rent/mo | Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wollongong | 113 | $2,300 | $74,000 |
| 2 | Sydney | 132 | $3,200 | $90,000 |
| 3 | Newcastle | 110 | $2,250 | $76,000 |
Wollongong: cost index 113 (0 vs national avg 113), rent $2,300/month.
New South Wales region average cost index: 118. Wollongong is -5 vs region peers.
Quality of life: 63/100 — safety 72, healthcare 72, walkability 58.
Safety score: 72/100 (crime rate 38.8/1k). National average: 66/100.
One stat flips the usual narrative: Wollongong has a cost index of 113 — 0 points below the Australia national average of 113. Median income is $74,000 with rent at $2,300/month, putting the rent-to-income ratio at 37%. This combination is rare — and valuable.
On quality of life, Wollongong scores a composite score of 63/100 — reflecting its safety (72), healthcare (72), and walkability (58) metrics. That said, affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and Australia is a good example of that tension.
Wollongong — cost index 113, rent $2,300/mo, income $74,000, QoL 63/100.
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.
Wollongong has a composite quality of life score of 63/100, covering safety (72), healthcare (72), walkability (58), air quality, and green space. Australia average QoL: 63/100.
The New South Wales region of average QoL score is 62/100. Wollongong 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.
Wollongong: cost index 113, rent $2,300/mo, income $74,000/yr, QoL 63/100. Sydney: cost index 132, rent $3,200/mo, income $90,000/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.