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Home › Feature › Best Places to Live in Australia (2026 Guide)
Sunshine, safety, and a sense of opportunity that’s what draws people to Australia’s most liveable cities. Whether you’re chasing a career change, a family-friendly community, or a better work-life balance, deciding where to live is one of the biggest choices you’ll make.
Each Australian city offers its own flavour: Melbourne’s coffee and creativity, Sydney’s harbour and high-energy jobs, Adelaide’s balance and affordability, Brisbane’s sunshine and growth, Perth’s coastal calm, and Canberra’s safety and order.
In this 2026 guide, we’ll help you find your perfect match by comparing Australia’s most liveable cities and regional gems. You’ll discover which places lead for quality of life, how much it really costs to live there, and who each city suits best, from young professionals to retirees.
Key Takeaways Melbourne is still the most liveable city in Australia in 2026, offering world-class culture and education. Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane provide the best mix of affordability and opportunity. Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast lead for coastal family living. The “best place” depends on you, your career, lifestyle, and priorities.
Key Takeaways
Next Step: Not sure which city or suburb matches your lifestyle and budget? Compare top real estate agents near you to get local insights and shortlist the best suburbs before you move.
Choosing the best place to live isn’t just about beaches or buzzwords, it’s about everyday quality of life. To build this 2026 list, we drew on data from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2025, alongside new cost-of-living and housing data from CoreLogic and Domain.
Australia continues to dominate the global rankings:
But liveability alone doesn’t tell the full story. We also considered affordability, job opportunities, safety, climate, and lifestyle. The factors that make daily life enjoyable and sustainable.
Here’s how we decided which Australian cities and towns make the 2026 list:
Our 2026 rankings balance liveability, cost, opportunity, and lifestyle, so whether you dream of a vibrant city apartment or a relaxed coastal home, you’ll find a place that fits you perfectly.
Every Australian city has its own personality from Melbourne’s laneways to Perth’s beaches. Below, we unpack what it’s really like to live in each, including who they suit, what to expect, and where to look for homes.
MelbourneMelbourne is Australia’s cultural capital, a city that values creativity, sport, and community. Ranked #4 worldwide on the 2025 EIU Global Liveability Index, it continues to lead Australia for healthcare, education, and lifestyle. Expect leafy suburbs, a reliable tram network, and plenty of weekend markets and events.
Who it suits: Professionals, students, creatives, and families who want culture and convenience in one place.
Pros:
Trade-offs:
Cost: Median rent (2025): around $600 per week for houses; $550 for units (Domain).
Neighbourhoods to shortlist:
Sydney is bold, busy, and breathtaking. With its glittering harbour and famous beaches, it’s no wonder it ranks #6 globally on the EIU Liveability Index. Sydney’s economy is the largest in Australia, driven by finance, technology, and creative industries. The pace is fast, but the rewards both financial and lifestyle are high.
Who it suits: Ambitious professionals, expats, and families who love city life with beach access.
Cost: Median rent (2025): around $750 per week for houses; $650 for units (Domain).
Adelaide
Adelaide combines big-city amenities with a small-town feel. Ranked #9 globally for liveability, it’s known for safety, affordability, and community spirit. The city is surrounded by beaches and hills, and the traffic is minimal, you can drive almost anywhere in 20 minutes.
Who it suits: Families, retirees, and professionals looking for balance and value.
Cost: Median rent (2025): around $550 per week for houses; $480 for units (Domain).
Brisbane’s transformation continues as it gears up for the 2032 Olympics. The city is full of outdoor dining, riverside trails, and friendly locals. It’s smaller than Sydney and Melbourne, but warmer, more affordable, and on the rise.
Who it suits: Families, young professionals, and anyone chasing sunshine and opportunity.
Cost: Median rent (2025): around $620 per week for houses; $550 for units (Domain).
Perth feels like a mix of city and holiday modern, clean, and surrounded by beaches. It’s also Australia’s hub for mining and energy jobs, offering strong salaries and a relaxed pace. For those seeking balance between career and lifestyle, Perth delivers.
Who it suits: Professionals, families, and beach lovers who value space and sunshine.
Cost: Median rent (2025): around $620 per week for houses; $520 for units (Domain).
Australia’s capital is one of the cleanest and safest cities in the country. Canberra offers excellent schools, bike-friendly suburbs, and top-tier public services. Winters are chilly, but the city’s planning, green spaces, and culture more than make up for it.
Who it suits: Public servants, families, and professionals in education or research.
Cost: Median rent (2025): around $680 per week for houses; $590 for units (Domain).
The Queensland coasts are magnets for families, remote workers, and retirees. The Gold Coast buzzes with nightlife, beaches, and entertainment, while the Sunshine Coast offers a slower, more community-based lifestyle.
Who it suits: Families, lifestyle-seekers, and anyone ready for a sea change.
Hobart is small but full of charm, a creative city where nature meets culture. It’s home to MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), mountain views, and a strong sense of community. Housing demand has grown sharply in recent years, pushing prices up, but the quality of life remains exceptional.
Who it suits: Creatives, retirees, and anyone drawn to slower living.
Newcastle is the east coast’s hidden gem, a coastal city just two hours from Sydney. It blends surf culture with urban renewal, thanks to new infrastructure and a growing university precinct.
Who it suits: Families, young professionals, and buyers priced out of Sydney.
For those ready to escape city life, these regional stars are worth considering:
Each offers a different balance of affordability, lifestyle, and access to nature, proving you don’t need a capital city postcode for great liveability.
Moving to a new city is exciting but it can also feel a bit overwhelming when every place looks amazing on paper. The truth is, there’s no single “best” city in Australia, only the one that fits you.
Here’s how to narrow it down and find your perfect match.
Where you work (and the industry you’re in) can make a big difference to where you should live:
Look at local job boards and LinkedIn listings before you move to see which cities have opportunities in your field.
Australia’s cost of living can vary a lot between cities. Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive, while Adelaide, Perth, and Brisbane generally offer better value for money.
To plan realistically, consider:
Living slightly further out like Newcastle (NSW) or Geelong (VIC), can save you thousands each year without losing access to city jobs.
Ask yourself what kind of life you want to wake up to every day.
Visit first if you can, spend a weekend exploring different suburbs to see how each “feels” before committing.
For families, these are often deal-breakers.
Always check school catchment zones and local crime data before signing a lease or buying.
It’s not just about distance, it’s about how long it takes to get where you need to go.
Do a “commute test” before moving, check the time from your chosen suburb to your work or school during rush hour.
Australia’s most liveable cities often come with a higher price tag but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a great balance.
Here’s how to get both comfort and value:
Sometimes a suburb just 10–20 km from the city centre offers the same liveability at half the cost.
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranks Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide among the world’s top 10 most liveable cities but affordability is becoming just as important. The key is to find the right trade-off between comfort, commute, and cost.
Here are a few “starter” suburbs to explore in each major city:
Always research flood zones, bushfire risk maps, and school boundaries before buying, especially in Queensland and regional NSW.
Australia is one of the most liveable countries in the world but the best place to live depends on what matters most to you. From Melbourne’s café-lined laneways to Perth’s endless beaches, there’s a city or town that fits every stage of life.
If you’re planning your next move, take time to explore, compare, and connect with local experts who understand your goals. The right advice can turn a big move into a smooth new beginning.
Adelaide is often rated Australia’s best city for families, offering affordable housing, excellent schools, and a calm, community feel. Canberra is another top choice for safety and education, while Brisbane attracts families wanting sunshine and outdoor living.
In 2026, Adelaide, Perth, and outer Brisbane suburbs offer the best balance between affordability and employment. Regional areas like Geelong, Newcastle, and Sunshine Coast are also growing fast, giving residents good job access without capital-city prices.
It depends on what you value most. Sydney wins for salaries, beaches, and global opportunities, while Melbourne stands out for culture, transport, and lifestyle balance. Sydney feels fast-paced and international; Melbourne feels creative and community-driven.
If you’re after a sea change, top coastal picks include Noosa, Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Wollongong, and Port Macquarie. They offer beautiful beaches, relaxed living, and growing job markets.
Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra lead for healthcare and education access, according to the EIU’s global data. Adelaide also performs well, thanks to its strong hospital network and excellent public schools.
Hobart and Newcastle are standout mid-size cities. Hobart blends creativity with community, while Newcastle offers coastal charm and growing infrastructure — both are more affordable than Sydney or Melbourne.
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