Plan your long-term base
Compare population profiles, career prospects, lifestyle rhythms, and average living costs before deciding where to call home. Each snapshot highlights who thrives there, how families integrate, and the work-life balance you can expect.
Most newcomers start with work opportunities but stay for lifestyle fit. Balance employment demand with your preferred climate, distance to family services, schooling expectations, and the cultural experiences you want day to day.
Tip: Map your first-year timeline—some families begin in a capital city for job security then relocate to a lifestyle region once schooling and social networks are established.
Scan the cultural mix, job demand, and lifestyle rhythm of each region without feeling overwhelmed. Every spotlight keeps the essentials together so you can picture daily life before you commit.
Sydney anchors finance, technology, and creative industries with 8.3M residents statewide.
Melbourne’s 5.2M residents enjoy cultural diversity, advanced manufacturing, and research jobs.
Sunshine State growth corridors draw health, construction, and tourism professionals.
Perth and the Pilbara combine mining wealth with laid-back coastal living.
Adelaide offers affordable housing, defence projects, and emerging space tech.
A compact island state with creative industries, agritech, and eco-tourism.
Canberra combines public service careers with excellent schooling and bushland.
Darwin and Alice Springs welcome adventurous professionals on higher regional salaries.
Skim each capital city’s pace, housing, and commute expectations in a relaxed, story-style format.
Fast-paced global hub with high incomes and premium coastal living.
Creative capital with a strong café culture and global sports calendar.
Rapidly growing river city with outdoor living and new infrastructure ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
Sun-soaked west coast capital with mining-fuelled wages and relaxed pace.
A "20-minute city" with affordable homes, quality schools, and growing defence jobs.
Planned city offering steady government careers and nature reserves.
Compact port city appealing to creatives, researchers, and hospitality pros.
Tropical frontier city with generous loading and strong multicultural networks.
Compare average household income, rent, and commute expectations. Figures reflect Australian Bureau of Statistics data trends and major relocation surveys (2024).
| City | Median household income (weekly) | Typical rent (2-bedroom) | Average commute | Work-life notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | $2,250 | $720 | 70 minutes round-trip | High pressure roles offset by iconic recreation spots. |
| Melbourne | $2,080 | $640 | 65 minutes round-trip | Hybrid work common; rich arts and dining scene. |
| Brisbane | $1,950 | $580 | 55 minutes round-trip | Warmer climate encourages early starts and afternoon downtime. |
| Perth | $2,000 | $600 | 50 minutes round-trip | Mining schedules vary; city workers enjoy beach sunsets. |
| Adelaide | $1,780 | $520 | 45 minutes round-trip | Short commutes leave evenings free for family time. |
| Canberra | $2,200 | $650 | 40 minutes round-trip | Public service hours support flexible arrangements. |
| Hobart | $1,620 | $500 | 35 minutes round-trip | Compact city living with time for outdoors and creative pursuits. |
| Darwin | $2,050 | $620 | 30 minutes round-trip | Higher allowances balance hot climate and remote postings. |
Several visas and state nomination programs reward moves outside the largest metropolitan areas. Consider these options if permanent residency or community pace is a priority.
Offers 15 additional points for skilled migrants who live and work in designated regional areas for at least three years.
Businesses outside major cities can sponsor visas with lower salary thresholds and faster processing.
Families often stage their move: start in a capital city to establish income and then relocate regionally for schooling or housing space.