Best Places To Live In Australia: Top Cities For Expats

The Land Down Under is home to sprawling modern cities, unique wildlife, vast countryside, and some of the best beaches in the world.

It’s also a country where local celebrities attend sports of the teams they own (Russell Crowe), and you’ll see prime ministers going for walks in green and gold tracksuits.

With so much on offer, it can be hard to decide on the best place to relocate to.

Not to worry, we’ve put together a list of the best places to live in Australia for expats.

Best cities to live in Australia

We’ll start with the best cities to live in Australia and then take a look at some of the alternative places if you’re looking for something a bit different.

1. Melbourne: best place to live in Australia for culture

Melbourne is widely regarded as the cultural capital of Australia (unless you ask Sydney siders), and it’s no surprise that it held the title of the world’s most livable city for seven years in a row, ranked by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s global liveability index.

Some of Australia’s cities have a multicultural feel, but none do it quite like Melbourne.

This is thanks, in part, to the large immigrant population who have brought their food and cultures from all around the globe.

What this means is that you’ll find world-class cafes and restaurants with food from all over the world and, if you ask the locals, the best coffee in the world.

Considered Australia’s sporting capital, it’s also home to Australia’s unique brand of football – Aussie Rules.

Sometimes described as aerial ping pong, the Aussie Rules final has one of the largest numbers of attendees of any domestic competition on earth.

Good luck learning the rules, though.

Outsiders refer to Melbourne as the hipster capital of Australia, which is fairly accurate.

Despite their strange fashion choices, hipsters tend to bring some pretty cool venues – like Easey St. Smoke Out in Collingwood.

This is a BBQ restaurant in a motorcycle workshop, which is hidden down a narrow laneway underneath an edgy gallery. It really doesn’t get more Melbourne than that.

The pros of moving to Melbourne:

• Considered the ‘London of Australia’: it is diverse and welcoming and is regarded as a meeting point for people from around the globe.
• Plenty of activities: world-class nightlife, live sports, live music, top restaurants, and more to keep anyone entertained.
• Lifestyle: allows for a great balance of things to do without feeling packed in.

The cons:

• Colder winters: summers are great and warm. However, winters can be colder than in other parts of the country.
• House prices: a competitive property market results in higher prices, especially for renters.
• Costs: expect entertainment, going out, and some items to cost more, too.

2. Adelaide: Australia’s all-rounder

Adelaide doesn’t get as much attention as other major cities like Sydney or Melbourne, and this is probably due to its size.

However, this is actually one of its greatest selling points!

What it may lack in numbers, it more than makes up for with the amazing lifestyle it offers its residents.

The good weather, affordable property prices, wide range of activities, country feel, and quality education make Adelaide a great place to live for families.

The majority of the 1.3 million Adelaide residents prefer the suburbs over being clustered in the city. It means living closer to the coast with the city on your doorstep without the metropolitan price tag.

It also means a bit more living space.

If you have ever lived in an apartment, you are very familiar with a storage problem. The good news is that in Adelaide, you have a better chance of finding a detached home, as the authorities approve more new separate houses than high-rise apartments, unlike other big cities in Australia.

Food is a big part of life here, with a massive amount of food trucks, quality restaurants, and eateries all close by.

The arts are big here, too, thanks to a thriving music and theatre scene, along with the annual Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Plus, the outdoor activities are endless, with hiking, surfing, and everything in between on offer.

The pros of Adelaide:

• Diverse lifestyle: a unique place with quaint country life, coastal escapes, and metropolitan life all in one city.
• Work-life balance: the slower pace of life makes it a perfect place to escape the rat race.
• Wine region: the Barossa Valley is a short distance from Adelaide for those who fancy a quality drop.

The cons:

• Job market: it can be tricky to find a job – particularly for unskilled workers.
• Small-town vibe: a bit lacking in shopping and business opportunities.
• Connections: public transport can sometimes be infrequent, and domestic flights from the airport can be pricey.

3. Hobart: fantastic for families

The capital of Australia’s island state, Tasmania, offers an amazing opportunity to live an idyllic family life.

Don’t believe the stories from mainland Aussies. No one here has three heads.

Tasmania is home to stunning natural scenery, ancient forests, and beaches. At its heart is Hobart, where housing is some of the cheapest in Australia.

If you are into small-town living, Hobart should be on top of your list.

The schools are great, and Tasmania is considered incredibly safe, as it is often forgotten by the rest of the world.

It’s the best place if you are into nature and crave a relaxed lifestyle. Life is slow here, allowing time to enjoy life, hobbies, and time spent with loved ones. 

Your commute from the office will be much shorter thanks to both the shorter distance to travel and the absence of traffic.

This means more time at home with your family.

There is plenty of arts and culture to be explored along with museums and natural surroundings.

Spend your weekends hiking, enjoying a beach, discovering the booming culinary scene, or exploring many national parks in Tasmania.

The pros of Hobart:

• Landscape: Tasmania is simply beautiful. The scenery is stunning, the air is clean, and the water is pure.
• Community: a real sense of community. People here are friendly and hail from all corners of the globe, united by their location in this quiet corner of the world.
• Family-friendly: affordable housing (roughly 30% cheaper than Sydney on average), safe community, great schools.

The cons:

• Job market: certain sectors like hospitality and education have opportunities, but other industries are lacking.
• Housing: houses are affordable but hard to come by. There simply aren’t many houses in Hobart, so make sure you’ve secured your home before arriving.
• Weather: cold winters with temperatures often getting as low as single digits. A winter coat is a must. And a scarf too.

4. The Blue Mountains: ideal places for country life

Love countryside living?

Head along the Blue Mountains, and you’ll find a string of small towns offering a taste of life in the Australian countryside.

Katoomba has a very creative spirit and is home to the annual Winter Magic Festival.

Nearby, Leura, a local secret, also has many charming boutiques and cafes. 

Further along the road, you’ll find Bathurst and Mudgee.

Bathurst hosts one of the largest car racing events of the year, the Bathurst 1000.

Bathurst also has a decent student population, which brings life into the town with cultural festivals and events each year.

It has everything you would need, affordable property and plenty of space to have the peace and quiet offered by the country.

Most of the towns in and around the Blue Mountains are all within a two-and-a-half-hour drive of Sydney.

Schools are decent in the area, with state and private schools available, making it a good choice if you have children.

The pros of living in the Blue Mountains:

• The quiet: peaceful countryside living and incredible starry nights.
• Cost of living: much cheaper than in the major cities, especially when it comes to property.
• Traffic: It just doesn’t exist out here, there aren’t enough people.

The cons:

• Job market: there are not a lot of professional opportunities on offer.
• Community: closer-knit communities. The people are nice, but breaking into long-existing groups can sometimes be tricky.
• Public transport: a car is a must as public transport is scarce.

5. The Sunshine Coast and Brisbane

If beaches are your passion, it’s hard to go wrong with Australia’s Sunshine Coast. It’s home to a subtropical climate and some of the best beaches in the world.

Brisbane is a friendly and sunny city with a relaxed vibe. It enjoys lots of sunshine, around 300 days a year.

Living north of the Brisbane River is a sensible choice. Everything you need, like schools, the airport, tunnels, and the Gateway, is close by. Traffic is also minimal.

The Sunshine Coast is arguably the best place to live in Australia for an ultimate beach lifestyle.

Located north of Brisbane, it’s not as popular with tourists as the Gold Coast, allowing you to enjoy your idyllic beach life in peace. 

Probably the most famous location is Surfers Paradise, with its high-rise skyline and the 322-meter-high Q1 Building with its SkyPoint observation deck.

Noosa Heads is a more populated area, but there are other smaller towns nearby with equally nice stretches of sand.

Mooloolaba, Caloundra, and Buddina are also popular.

Life is relaxed here, and the cost of living is very affordable, especially if you avoid the more affluent spots popular with local tourists.

Plus, you’re a short distance from the bustle of Brisbane, so you can escape to the city whenever needed.

The pros of the Sunshine Coast:

• Coastal living: beautiful beaches on your doorstep and warm weather almost all year round.
• Lifestyle: life here is so relaxed you can unwind without even trying. The cost of living is also very affordable.
• Airport: Brisbane International Airport is a short distance away, making both domestic and overseas flights easily accessible.

The cons:

• Job market: There are not a lot of professional opportunities on offer.
• Tourism: During the high season, there can be a lot of tourists.
• Public transport: The Sunshine Coast is not as well connected with public transport as other parts of the country.

6. The Central Coast: best places for retirees

The Central Coast is a collection of neighboring seaside towns located just over an hour’s drive north of Sydney and is a great area if you are planning to retire to Australia.

Gosford is the largest town, with the biggest train station offering connections to the CBD (Central Business District – effectively, the city center).

The lifestyle it offers makes it a top place for retirees.

Spend your days enjoying the sun, walking along the beach, exploring parks and nature reserves, playing bowls at an RSL club, and enjoying the many shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Property is affordable, and there are many retirement communities with affordable accommodation in quiet, contained neighborhoods.

You also have your pick of beautiful locations, including Avoca, Copacabana, Terrigal, McMasters, Pearl, and Kincumber.

They offer varying proximity to the coast and green bushland, with larger properties available as well. And yes, you can get a beach house that allows you to enjoy the most amazing view every day!

There are also excellent public and private healthcare options available to give you peace of mind.

The proximity to Sydney is a massive plus.

Tip: Seniors discounts are frequent in Australia – simply ask when out and about! 

The pros of living on the Central Coast:

• Coastal lifestyle: the clean air, sun, and natural surroundings are the perfect way to enjoy your retirement.
• Property: there is a wide variety of properties on offer to suit any lifestyle choice
• Cost of living: everyday items and going out on the central coast is very affordable – ideal for retirement.

The cons:

• Job market: jobs are limited, so if you are looking for opportunities, you will likely need to commute to Sydney.
• Public transport: getting to either Newcastle or Sydney is easy; however, public transport is limited between the smaller towns. A car is recommended.
• Property: depending on the area you choose, some houses can be quite expensive.

7. Sydney: for better job opportunities

No doubt you’ve heard of Sydney – Australia’s largest city and home to the famous Opera House.

As the economic capital of Australia, with many local and international businesses setting up offices here, it offers many career opportunities and has a low unemployment rate.

Sydney is also a fantastic choice for international students, offering top-notch education and a great lifestyle.

When you aren’t working, you can visit iconic Sydney Harbour (home to the Harbour Bridge and Opera House), soak up the sun on Manly or Bondi beach, or shop to your heart’s content – all while sipping delicious coffee. You won’t find a Costa here, and you won’t miss it!

Are you a foodie? Sydney is definitely the place to be. You have a wide choice of world-class restaurants here.

Tip: visit Queenies in Surry Hills if you like jerk chicken.

Live sport is also a massive feature of life in Sydney, with multiple world-class stadiums and venues hosting regular events.

Sydney can be tricky to get around.

The roads are a bit of a maze, and traffic, especially in peak hours, is heavy. There is, however, an efficient and affordable public transport system. This includes trains, buses, and ferries.

Discover more in our Best Places To Live In Sydney guide.

The pros of Sydney:

• Weather: summers without the humidity of the north and milder winters.
• Opportunity: finding work is much easier than in other parts of the country, especially for young, skilled professionals.
• Lifestyle: Sydney offers a diversity of lifestyles unmatched by most major cities of the world.

The cons:

• Expenses: Sydney is considered one of the most expensive cities in the world. Expect to pay more for everyday items, going out, and housing. The average 3-bedroom house costs $2,100-$6,400 per square meter.
• Traffic: Reliance on cars causes massive amounts of congestion on a regular basis.

8. Perth: multiple expat communities

Located on Australia’s west coast, Perth is a laid-back city with a Mediterranean climate and great beaches.

The city is green, with trees and parks everywhere you look.

As any city, Perth offers its residents plenty of culture, culinary options, and sporting events without the congestion of larger cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

The quality of life here is quite high, thanks to the weather, abundance of outdoor activities, and affordable cost of living. It offers a choice of nice neighborhoods and suburbs, with East Perth being an especially desirable address if you have a family.

The biggest draw is the massive expat community.

Some estimate that expats make up as much as a third of Perth’s residents, with the largest groups coming from the UK and South Africa.

These communities are active, connected, and welcoming, meaning you have someone on the inside to help with the transition.

The pros of living in Perth:

• The great outdoors: one thing you will massively benefit from in Perth is an outdoor lifestyle. Clean air, sun, sea, and sand – it’s good for the soul.
• Cost of living: Perth is much more affordable than other major Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
• Community: the expat community can make settling into your new life in Perth much easier.

The cons:

• Laidback: The slower pace can be an adjustment for those coming from larger cities.
• Limited jobs: Jobs are available, but after the peak of the mining boom, they are limited to certain sectors.
• Isolation: Perth is not only a massive distance from the rest of the world but the rest of Australia, too.

9. Canberra: The cosmopolitan capital city

Canberra is a fantastic city to live in!

It has a thriving café culture and abundant green spaces and parks.

As well as having a high employment rate, Canberra offers fantastic opportunities for university graduates seeking careers in government and related institutions.

Canberra’s lakes, architecture, and cultural events make for a wonderful living experience, with plenty of events to visit and places to explore throughout the year.

The international airport in Canberra helps expats to stay well connected to friends and family living elsewhere in the world.

You’ll also find plenty of restaurants offering an array of cuisines from around the world.

Canberra’s climate

The weather in Canberra is mild year-round, and there are low levels of pollution, making it one of the most livable cities on Earth with a very high quality of life.

Canberra has a more affordable property market

The local real estate market offers better value for money than other capital cities in Australia, making it more cost-effective to rent or own property than elsewhere in Australia.

Overall, living in Canberra means you’ll be living in a vibrant city that has a lot to offer: excellent employment opportunities, cultural events, modern infrastructure, and services, plus natural beauty, all rolled into one package!

10. Cairns – Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is a very special city to live in!

While it is a relatively small city with around 150,000 people, it offers a lot, from breathtaking natural beauty to modern infrastructure and great amenities for family life.

Located in tropical Far North Queensland, Cairns has a unique climate and environment that makes it the perfect location for anyone who wants to experience something different from what most other cities deliver.

The iconic Great Barrier Reef is just a short boat ride away, providing residents with endless opportunities for marine-based activities such as snorkeling or scuba diving.

In the city center itself, you can find a vibrant nightlife scene featuring various bars and clubs which attract people of all ages.

Here, you’ll find some of Australia’s best restaurants offering Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai food.

There are plenty of things to do during the day, too – such as visiting museums or art galleries, checking out flea markets, and taking part in cultural events like the White Night Festival or the Saltwater Murri Festival.

The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway gives you a brilliant way to enjoy the rainforest as you travel over the canopy.

There are also plenty of opportunities to go for hikes or horse riding in the rainforest, which can be an exhilarating experience.

For lazy days with the family, you’ll have easy access to a lot of beaches.

Cairns climate

The weather here gets very sticky and hot in the summer (December – February), with an average maximum temperature of 30C (85F) and 62 percent humidity.

In winter, if that’s the right word, you can still expect temperatures in the mid to high 20s (75-85F), but the humidity will be less, and the rain subsides from April onwards.

What is the best country town in Australia?

‘Goldilocks’ towns are places in Australia that guarantee the ‘best country town lifestyle’.

To qualify, these towns need to have more than 2000 people and score well on a number of factors, such as unemployment rates and quality of life.

Another factor is average income.

A winner is the town of Griffith, located in the state of New South Wales.

Just under 20,000 people live here – just enough to have peace and quiet without feeling lonely.

What is the cheapest state?

The cheapest states to live in Australia are Queensland, Tasmania, and Western Australia.

However, this isn’t a simple question to answer as there are a lot of factors to consider. Of the major cities, Adelaide is regarded as the cheapest city to live in and is the state capital of South Australia.

Where do most expats settle down?

Perth has been incredibly popular with expats for a long time, with roughly a third of the population estimated to be made up of migrants.

Other popular destinations include Sydney and Melbourne, particularly for young people and professionals.

Wherever you are considering a move, there is bound to be a social media group to help you connect with fellow expats.

Where are the safest places to live?

Sydney is the safest city in Australia and was ranked as the 5th safest city in the world on the World Population Review of the safest cities in the world in 2024.

Melbourne was ranked 10th in the same review. Australia, as a country, is generally considered a very safe place to live.

Top Australian locations – summary

Choosing where to live in Australia is not easy – the country is big and diverse. Thanks to its size and the diversity of its land and lifestyle options, the country offers all kinds of expat retirees, families and digital nomads the chance to live the life they’ve always dreamed of.

Where you choose to settle in Australia will depend on your reasons for moving, but one thing is for sure – you won’t be disappointed.

Climate and lifestyle are two areas where Australia excels. Also, the reason so many Australians never leave home is that they have everything they need.

So, where will you go in the land down under?

You might find useful:

• How To Get A Job In Australia With Employer-Sponsored Visa
• Living In Australia: Pros And Cons, And How To Do It
• Didn’t find what you were looking for or need further advice? Comment with your question below, and we will do our best to help.

Helpful external links:

• Discover climate change impact and weather in Australian regions on the Bureau of Meteorology site.
• Discover which Australian regions have the best employment opportunities with this helpful regional job vacancy map.
• To get more information about each region in Australia, its population, jobs, median rents, and others, use this interactive map on the Australian Bureau of Statistics site.