Best place to live in Australia for families

It’s not easy to choose the finest place to live in Australia because each city has its own distinct features. For Australians, things like the cost of living, job possibilities, climate, schools and transportation are equally as significant as the cultural scene or access to the beach. In 2025, cities like Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide were once again among the top 10 in the world for liveability. This article highlights why Australia is known for its wonderful quality of life and explores the best place to live in Australia by covering the top cities and regions to help you find the right one.

What makes a city the best place to live?

There are several things that make Australia a wonderful place to live:

• Liveability and lifestyle: Global liveability rankings look at things like healthcare, infrastructure, education, culture and safety when rating places to live. Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide have always done well on these tests.
• Housing affordability: The prices of homes and apartments vary a lot from city to city. In 2025, the value of homes went up in all capital cities for the first time in four years. Rents had gone up more than 40% since 2020.
• Job markets and earnings: The average full-time weekly earnings in the US are $1,973.70. However, employment availability and pay vary by city and industry.
• Population growth: Australia’s population reached 27.4 million at the end of 2024, up 1.7% in a year. This put more strain on housing, transportation and services.
• Future growth: Property prices in cities like Brisbane and Perth have gone up a lot, but in Melbourne they are still below their high in 2022, which is positive news for purchasers.

Melbourne: culture, education and coffee capital

Melbourne is known for its lively arts scene, outstanding universities and sports events that are all over the world. It’s still a centre for technology, finance, education and the arts. Melbourne’s property values are still lower than they were in 2022, even if the city is quite popular. This makes it a better deal for purchasers than Sydney.

Why Melbourne is a good fit for you:

• There are many cafés and restaurants
• Great public transportation system
• Many different job openings
• Ranked as one of the best places to live in the world

Sydney: iconic lifestyle and high-paying jobs

Sydney is still Australia’s worldwide capital, noted for its high wages, beautiful harbours and famous beaches like Bondi and Manly. Sydney has the best job prospects in banking, media, IT and business, even though housing and rent are pricey.

Why Sydney is a good fit for you:

• A work market that is doing well around the world
• Famous colleges and universities
• A view of the harbour and an outdoor lifestyle
• Access to some of the best beaches in the world

Adelaide: affordable and family-friendly

Adelaide is always in the top 10 cities in the world for liveability because of its great schools, short commutes and relaxing pace of life. Adelaide is a popular place for families and first-time home purchasers because property costs are still much lower than in Sydney or Melbourne. There are many lifestyle benefits because the wine districts of Barossa and McLaren Vale are close by.

Why Adelaide is a good fit for you:

• Cheap property and rent
• Good schools and colleges
• Slower, family-friendly pace
• Access to famous wine regions throughout the world

Brisbane: warm weather and growth potential

Families and young professionals love Brisbane because it has excellent weather, a relaxed atmosphere and is close to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Because people are moving to Brisbane from southern states, the city’s housing market is booming, especially for apartments.

Here are some reasons why Brisbane is a good fit for you:

• The climate is warm all year long
• Access to world-class beaches and things to do outside
• An increasing market for real estate

Perth: high wages and lifestyle appeal

Perth is still a great place to live since it has many work prospects, notably in mining and resources and the property market is cheaper than in towns on the east coast. Both beach lovers and families enjoy living in Perth due to its laid-back coastal lifestyle.

What makes Perth a good fit for you:

• Strong job market in resources and mining
• Prices for property are lower than in Sydney
• Outdoor lifestyle and beautiful beaches
• Building and growing infrastructure

Canberra: education and government hub

Canberra, the capital of Australia, has high incomes for public workers, excellent schools and a disciplined, family-friendly society. People who like order and convenience love it because of its well-planned suburbs, parks and bike paths.

Why Canberra is a good fit for you:

• A steady job with excellent pay
• The best schools and colleges
• A secure, clean and green place to live
• Short commutes compared to larger cities

Hobart: charm and natural beauty

Hobart has a slower pace of life, historic buildings and easy access to Tasmania’s natural marvels. Prices have gone down since the pandemic-driven property boom, making Hobart easier to get to for people who want to move to the country or the sea.

Here are some reasons why Hobart is a good fit for you:

• The MONA Museum has a unique history and culture
• Housing in Hobart is affordable following the recent market correction
• A cleaner atmosphere and cooler weather
• Great for people who work from home or are creative

Regional Australia: lifestyle hotspots

Regional centres like Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and Geelong are doing well because they are cheaper than large capitals and offer hybrid jobs. Many of these places have great schools, healthcare and easy access to the beach or the countryside.

Tips for choosing the right city

• Define your priorities: Do you want better schools, jobs or proximity to the beach?
• Check affordability: Compare rent or mortgage payments to your income.
• Think long-term: Look at infrastructure developments and job growth in each city.
• Test the lifestyle: Before you move, check out the region, the schools, the public transportation and the community vibe.

Conclusion

There isn’t one best place to live in Australia. Melbourne has many cultural activities, Sydney has many job opportunities around the world, Adelaide is cheap and Brisbane has both sunshine and lifestyle. Each of the Perth, Canberra, Hobart and regional centres has its own merits. The best one for you will depend on your lifestyle, budget and professional aspirations.