Australia is an incredible place to live, offering everything from vibrant global cities to relaxed coastal beach towns. Both locals and newcomers often have strong opinions about the best places to live in Australia, thanks to the country’s diverse lifestyles and regions. Although it may look small on a world map, Australia is actually the sixth-largest country by land area.
This vast size means its climate, landscapes, and way of life can vary dramatically from one region to another. Fortunately, that diversity also means there’s something to suit almost everyone. Here are the best places to live down under.
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Similar to Canada, New Zealand, and Barbados, Australia is a former British colony and a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
This technically makes Australia a constitutional monarchy under the British crown, but the relationship is a formality. Australia is an independent nation with a democratic and parliamentary system of government.
Australia’s fast-growing population of immigrants and expats has earned its place as one of the most multicultural countries in the world.
It’s also one of the most biodiverse areas, featuring animals and other species found nowhere else in the world.
How We Identified the Best Cities in Australia
To determine the best cities to live in Australia, we looked at a variety of factors that most expats consider before moving abroad.
We assessed cost-of-living data from Numbeo and Livingcost, accounting for monthly costs for rent, food, transportation, and other essentials.
We considered crime, safety, and healthcare indexes from Numbeo, internet speed from Nomadlist, and LGBTQ+ friendliness as recorded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
We’ve also factored in qualities like walkability, annual hours of sunlight, and which locales have the most job opportunities, green spaces, historical and cultural sites, and good schools.
Discover the best place for you as we count down the best Australian cities below.
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Australia is a diverse and friendly nation with stunning natural landscapes, great job opportunities, and a high quality of life.
Immigrants who are considering moving to the land down under will find themselves in the company of many other foreigners, as more than 30% of all Australian residents were born outside the country.
The Blue Mountains Region
If you want to be near Sydney but prefer a quiet life in the countryside, consider Australia’s Blue Mountains region.
Located about 60 km (37 miles) from the capital of New South Wales, the Blue Mountain region features hills lush with orchards, vineyards, and pastures. If you own pets or love to garden, a lifestyle property with one or two acres may be ideal.
Nearby national parks offer opportunities for hiking, camping, climbing, and wildlife watching, and it’s common to see cockatoos sitting on your window sills or wallabies grazing in your yard.
The towns of the Blue Mountains welcome teachers and medical professionals, though many people in this region run small businesses for tourists, and some commute to Sydney.
Katoomba is the largest town, with both amenities and natural beauty. A little further out, Lithgow is an affordable haven. Locals often debate which of the Upper Mountains villages is the prettiest.
The Northern Rivers Region
The Northern Rivers are nestled between Sydney and the Gold Coast, two other top places we recommend in Australia.
The famous Byron Bay is a dream come true if you enjoy relaxing seaside living. Here, you can live a luxurious lifestyle with spas, high-end shopping, and fine dining. Outdoor markets and events make every summer weekend in Byron Bay feel like a festival.
Nearby, the larger town of Ballina shares the sunny climate and coastal setting with a family feel. Ballina is closer to Sydney and has its own airport.
The villages near Byron Bay are quieter yet equally lush. Choose between living in the Australian rainforest or on a lifestyle block growing macadamias and bananas.
Don’t be shocked if you see paparazzi, as many famous people have chosen the Northern Rivers for its upscale lifestyle.
Perth
Perth works hard and plays hard. Australia’s biggest city on the west coast, Perth, is also a major center for mining, oil, and gas industries.
Many Perth residents “fly in” to remote mining jobs in the outback. Then they “fly out” to Perth for breaks at home.
Perth’s thriving economy, affordable rentals, and year-round warm climate make Perth an excellent city for immigrants. It also has a strong tech sector, which is great news for digital nomads.
Weekends in Perth are a time for beaches, barbecues, and beer. The city’s Fremantle area has a farmer’s market and boutiques, while local parks and nature reserves provide plenty of green space.
All of this makes Perth ideal for those who want a casual, outdoorsy lifestyle. This family-friendly city is an ideal home base if you plan to work or raise a family in Australia.
Hobart, Tasmania
If you prefer cooler weather, try Tasmania. This large island on Australia’s south-eastern edge has four real seasons, and the capital city of Hobart is well known for its affordable housing.
Hobart has a lower cost of living than many Australian cities and lower crime rates. Its art scene is also famous thanks to the Museum of Old and New Art.
The city’s winter solstice festival draws half a million attendees, including famous artists, every year. In the rest of Tasmania, smaller towns, farms, and national parks have a more tranquil feeling.
Often referred to as “the edge of the world,” Tasmania offers stunning scenery and is one of the safest places to live in Australia.
Canberra
Like most national capitals, Canberra is seen by some as a bit stodgy and dull. But the people who live here love it, and many consider it Australia’s best-kept urban secret.
Residents love Canberra’s lakes, architecture, and cultural events. Canberra’s café culture is also thriving. It’s one of the safest places to live in the country, and it’s the most LGBTQ+ friendly city in all of Australia.
Canberra is excellent for foreigners with university degrees who plan to work. The city’s job market is strong, with excellent employment opportunities in government and business.
Canberra’s international airport keeps the world within reach, making it easy to travel abroad for work, study, or leisure.
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Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city. Its chic architecture, top museums, and hip retail shopping give it a cosmopolitan feel.
You’ll find charming boutiques, quirky cafes, and farmers’ markets in almost every neighborhood. Melbourne’s laneways are known for their café culture.
Many fashion and beauty brands are based here, making it the best place in Australia to work in the fashion industry.
Melbourne is also great for sports fans. After a game, the people head to one of Melbourne’s many pubs for the city’s famous chicken parmigiana or to budget eateries serving delicious global food.
The cost of living in Melbourne is higher than in most parts of the country, but it is still more affordable than living in Sydney.
Melbourne is surrounded by a number of suburbs where you can enjoy a quiet life with the benefits of a nearby big city.
Adelaide
There’s no lack of green space in Adelaide, also known as Australia’s Garden City. The city was designed around a lush green belt that features the Adelaide Botanic Garden. Its suburbs are just as green.
As the capital of South Australia, Adelaide has all the amenities you’d expect of a top urban destination. It has a warm climate and is surrounded by beaches.
It also has a lower cost of living than many of Australia’s larger cities. Expats looking for a peaceful family life will find it here.
Good and gentle living is the rule in Adelaide. It’s a safe city with a strong job market, plenty of art festivals, and live music.
It’s also located in a region where it’s easy to get out of town for weekend fun: South Australia is home to Australia’s best wine region, the Barossa Valley.
Sydney
With its blue harbor and famous Opera House, Sydney is Australia’s most iconic city. Many visitors decide to make it their home. If you want to be an expat in a global center, Sydney is for you.
Sydney’s good public transport system makes the city easy to get around. The city offers every type of job, and the people hiring for them are very friendly to expats, as many of them are foreigners themselves.
Although Sydney’s warmer weather means that it can feel like summer all year long, there’s always something to do or see.
Sydney is known for its incredible shorelines, ranging from family beaches to the wild scene at Bondi Beach. Its famous Mardi Gras festival has made Sydney one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly parts of the country.
Sydney is rich with amenities, but it’s also one of the most expensive cities in the world. The real estate prices are closer to what you’ll find in New York City. However, many immigrants and foreign retirees find the North Shore of Sydney an affordable option.
Brisbane and the Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is Australia’s most liveable city, and our top pick for expats and immigrants who want a major city with more of a small-town feeling. It’s a fun place to spend a year on a work visa, as well as a great place to retire.
Try Brisbane for an urban but laid-back lifestyle. As the third-largest city in Australia, it’s progressive and packed with character.
Brisbane has low crime rates and a strong job market, especially in the Australian healthcare and hospitality sectors.
Brisbane’s weather is warm to hot year-round. The city has a lively downtown with fine dining, world-class shopping, art galleries, and green spaces.
Locals enjoy spending time in parks by the Brisbane River or heading to the nearby Gold Coast to relax at the beach.
Meanwhile, visitors flock here for classic beach living, great nightlife, markets, and festivals. Another reason to love this part of Australia is that the outdoor activities encourage healthy living.
The Gold Coast has beautiful beaches with excellent surf, and is only an hour’s drive from the Sunshine Coast region.
The Best Places to Live on a Budget in Australia
Looking to move abroad but save money? Check out this brief roundup of Australian cities that were too small to make our top list, but are great options for budget-conscious expats.
All the cities listed below have populations of approximately 100,000 to 200,000 residents.
Townsville
Townsville is one of the most affordable cities in all of Australia. Located in northeastern Queensland, this coastal city is home to 70 national parks and the famous Great Barrier Reef.
Townsville has almost year-round sunny weather, so outdoor activities are the norm. It also boasts great nightlife, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options.
The public transportation system isn’t as robust as in the bigger cities, but there is a bus system and taxis, rideshares, and rentable scooters are widely available.
Bendigo
Bendigo is a small but inviting city in Victoria, just two hours from Melbourne. Not only does it boast a low cost of living, but the locals are friendly, and the art scene is thriving.
If you’re looking for an affordable, close-knit community that offers a laid-back lifestyle, Bendigo might be exactly what you’re looking for.
The biggest downside to living in Bendigo is the lack of public transportation, which can make it feel a bit isolated.
Ballarat
Ballarat is a small, affordable city located about 1.5 hours outside of Melbourne. It’s a charming town with a vibrant arts and culture scene, great dining options, and plenty of outdoor activities.
The cost of living in Ballarat is far less than in the metro Melbourne area, but job opportunities are much more limited.
If you’re looking to live and work in the same town, it’s best to secure a job in Ballarat before making the move.
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Foreigners who move to Australia should know that the country has a universal health care program. While this publicly funded program has a reputation for excellent patient outcomes, wait times to see a doctor can be as long as several weeks or months.
Some immigrants choose to purchase private international health insurance. This can expand your access to different doctors and medical facilities, as well as reduce how long you have to wait to see a doctor.
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