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Best cities to live in Australia (2026)
3 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
95/100→
Freedom House score
#30
Press freedom rank
#1
Perth
69/100💰 $1821/mo rent🔒 0.8 per 100k☀️ 84°F summers🌊 Coastal
#2
Sydney
68/100💰 $2506/mo rent🔒 0.8 per 100k☀️ 79°F summers⚡ 114 Mbps🌊 Coastal
#3
Gold Coast
66/100💰 $2267/mo rent🔒 0.8 per 100k☀️ 82°F summers🌊 Coastal
Compare cities in Australia
❓ Living in Australia — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Australia?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Perth ranks #1 in Australia with a score of 69/100, and city-centre rent from around $1821/month.
What is the safest city in Australia?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Perth is the safest city in Australia in our database, with a rate of 0.8 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Perth or Sydney?▾
Perth scores 69/100 on our Livability Score vs 68/100 for Sydney. Rent is $1821/mo in Perth vs $2506/mo in Sydney. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
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