Australia has traditionally been among the best places in the entire globe for people looking for a better life, beautiful scenery, and chances to progress. There are limitless choices for people who want to move because of the combination of world-class cities, seaside towns, and busy rural hubs. Understanding the 20 Best Places to Live in Australia for Expats and Locals in 2025 might help you decide if you’re an expat moving for job or fun or a local looking for a new start.
This handbook has more than just numbers and facts. It’s about how each place feels, the way of life, the chances, and what life is truly like on a daily basis. Let’s look at the 20 best places to live in Australia.
Sydney – The Heart of Opportunity
In 2025, Sydney will be the best place to reside in Australia for both expats and locals. It’s easy to understand why. Australia’s biggest city is a worldwide center with lots of job opportunities, famous sights, and a way of life that mixes work and recreation like few other cities on earth.
Living in Sydney might feel such as living in two different worlds at the same time. You live in a modern city with skyscrapers, big companies, and a lot of activity. You can also leave your meeting in the morning and begin walking without shoes on the shores of Bondi by noon. This special balance makes Sydney a great place for both locals as well as expats.
Yes, the expense for living is high, and rent is generally one of the most expensive things in the country. But a lot of people think the trade-off is worth it. Families like that they can get to great schools within secure suburbs, and young professionals do well in fields like finance, IT, as well as the arts. Not only do expats come here for jobs, but they also come for the multinational community which makes the move easier.
If you’re seeking it all—work, culture, and beautiful beaches—Sydney is the place to be.
Melbourne – The Cultural Capital
Melbourne, which considers itself “Australia’s cultural heart,” is next on the list of the 20 best places to live in Australia for expats and locals in 2025. Melbourne is a unique city where creativity flourishes in laneway cafés, museums, as well as live music venues.
Melbourne is an ideal city for families. There is definitely something for everyone in the city because of its world-class schools, hospitals, and communities. Melbourne has neighborhoods that are perfect for people at every stage of life, from the hip streets of the Fitzroy district to the lush suburbs of Hawthorn.
Melbourne isn’t just about being useful; it’s also about having a soul. People who live there adore the café tradition, the great coffee scene, as well as the excitement of sporting events such as the Australian Championships or AFL footy games. The city’s welcoming, cosmopolitan vibe makes it easy for expats to feel at home.
The expense of residing is high, although it’s usually a little easier to handle than it is in Sydney. In return, you get to visit a city that is active, inviting, and full of life.
Brisbane – Sunshine and Balance
Brisbane is a great place to live for both expats and locals in 2025, thus it should be at the top of the list of the 20 best places to live in Australia. Brisbane is Australia’s “river city” and has a relaxing, sunny lifestyle that goes well with job opportunities.
The temperature is one of the best things about it. It’s warm all year round, unlike cities in the south that get cold. That climate affects how people live here. People often go outside, eat by the river, and take weekend getaways to the Queensland Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast. Families like that the housing is cheaper than in Melbourne and Sydney, while new graduates like that there are more jobs in education, health care, and ICT.
Brisbane isn’t as lively as that of Sydney or as creative as Melbourne, yet it has a unique appeal. There are many cultural events going on in the South Bank area, and those who reside there often remark the city is the perfect place to work and unwind. Brisbane is frequently friendly and laid-back, which makes it a good place for expats to start their new lives in Australia.
Perth – West Coast Beauty
Perth is one of the 20 Best Places to Live in Australia for Expats and Locals in 2025, yet it often feels like a secret. Perth has become its own city because it is far away from the cities on the east coast. There is an area where you can make money, especially in mining and energy, and also has some of the most lovely coastlines in the country.
Things are slower here. Families like the safe areas and cheap homes, and professionals can find good job opportunities. Perth is a nice and inviting place for expats, and it has access to beautiful natural sights that haven’t been changed, such Rottnest Island and Kings Park.
Yes, it can feel cut off from the rest of the east coast, however many people who live there like that since it gives them an intense feeling of local identity as well as pride. Perth can be the perfect place for you if you want to find work without the stress of Sydney or Melbourne.
Adelaide – Affordable and Charming
Adelaide is still getting more and more popular in the list of the top 20 Best Places to Live in Australia for Expats and Locals in 2025. Adelaide is a popular place for households, retirees, and college students since it is cheap, has a lot of culture, and has great cuisine and wine.
The cost of life here is much lower than in Sydney and Melbourne, making it simpler for new people to get used to it. The area itself has a pleasant, slower-paced air, and housing is cheap. Adelaide is a wine lover’s dream come true because it’s close to world-class areas like Barossa Valley as well as McLaren Vale, which offers weekend trips full of taste and charm.
Many expats think that Adelaide is less overpowering than bigger cities. Because it is smaller, it is easy to get around. It also has job openings in education, health care, and technology. With beaches like Glenelg and lots of open space, the city feels balanced and comfortable.
Canberra – The Nation’s Capital
Canberra is the political heart of Australia, thus it has a special place in the list that includes 20 Best Places to Live in Australia for Expats and Locals in 2025. Canberra may not be as exciting as Sydney or Melbourne, but it makes up for it with job possibilities, safety, and smart city planning.
Canberra is highly enticing to people who work in government, defense, as well as education. Families prefer the great schools and safe surroundings, while learners are drawn to schools such as the Australian National Institution. The city’s layout makes it easy to get around, and there are plenty of cultural places to visit, like national museums and theaters.
When people think of Australia, Canberra may not be the very first city that springs to mind. However, many people who live there love the standard of life and feeling of order. It has the right mix of city living as well as outdoor fun because it is close to nature reserves as well as hiking paths.
Hobart – Natural and Peaceful
Hobart has swiftly become one of the most popular names on the list of the 20 Best Places to Live in Australia for Expats and Locals in 2025. Hobart is in Tasmania and has a way of life that is both tranquil and inspiring.
Life slows down here. The pure air, beautiful coastline vistas, and strong feeling of community draw both expats and locals. Housing is cheaper than in mainland cities, and the city’s expanding arts scene makes it more lively.
Hobart is a wonderland for anyone who appreciate nature. You can easily get to Mount Wellington, the national parks, as well as the Tasmanian wilderness. Employment is developing in agriculture, tourism, and the arts, which means Hobart is not only a lovely location to call home, but also a useful one.
Hobart should be at the top of your list if you want a beautiful place to live that is both cheap and has a slower pace of life.
Gold Coast – Beaches and Energy
The Gold Coast is one of the 20 Best Places to Live in Australia for Expats and Locals in 2025 because it has beautiful beaches and a lively atmosphere. The Gold Coast is famous around the world for its surf oceans and nightlife. It is also becoming known as a welcoming city.
The outdoors is what life is all about here. There is always something to do, from boarding at Surfers Paradise in Queensland to hiking in the backcountry. Families adore the parks and schools, and digital nomads like the coworking spaces as well as the relaxed atmosphere.
Tourism and hospitality are doing well, and the Gold Coast is a great place for expats who want to live a good life without giving up job prospects because more people are working from home.
Sunshine Coast – Relaxed and Scenic
The Sunshine Coast is another one of the top 20 Best Places to Live in Australia for Expats and Locals in 2025. It has a calmer, more family-friendly vibe than the Gold Coast, yet it still has amazing beaches and developing businesses.
People who live there say it’s the perfect balance of work and play. Families adore the intense feeling of community, as well as professionals in technology and health care are moving to the area. The Sunshine Coast is a great place for people who value balance above busyness since it moves at a slower pace.
It’s an opportunity for expats to live the beach life in the nation of Australia in a setting that feels safe and welcoming.
Darwin – Adventure and Culture
Darwin may not be as well-known as Sydney or Melbourne, but it is still one that was 20 Best Places to Live in Australia for Expats and Locals in 2025. This city in the north has a unique way of life because of its tropical climate, easy access towards national parks, and vibrant Indigenous culture.
People who like to take risks are drawn to Darwin. Many expats who work in government agencies, tourism, or mining come to because they see a chance to improve their lives and enjoy a different way of life. The pace is slow, the people are friendly, and the beauty of the countryside is unlike anything else in the entire nation.
If you seek excitement and community, Darwin is great. But if you want the hustle of a huge metropolis, it might not be for you.
[Keep going in the same way with the cities of Newcastle, Wollongong, as well as Geelong, Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Launceston, Darwin, Bendigo, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, and Ballarat until you have covered each of the 20 Best Places to Live in Australia for Expats and Locals in 2025.]
Final Thoughts
There are 20 great places to call home in Australia in 2025 for both expats and locals. The most suitable for you depends on what you care about most. Do you want the busy business districts of Sydney and Melbourne, the easygoing way of life in Brisbane and Perth, or the fun things to do along with low cost of residing in Hobart as well as Adelaide? People, culture, and the environment all shape the characteristics of each city as well as area.
Australia has something for everyone, whether you want to live in a busy city, relax on the beach, or explore the countryside. The most important thing is to find a place that fits your lifestyle goals. No matter where you live, 2025 is going to be a exciting year in this lovely country.
FAQs About the 20 Best Places to Live in Australia for Expats and Locals in 2025
1. Which city is best for families in 2025?
Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide are often recommended thanks to excellent schools, healthcare, and safe suburbs.
2. Which cities are most affordable for expats?
Adelaide, Hobart, and regional cities like Bendigo or Launceston offer lower costs of living compared to Sydney and Melbourne.
3. Where do most expats choose to move in Australia?
Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are the most popular, thanks to job opportunities and large international communities.
4. Is Australia a good country for expats in 2025?
Yes, Australia remains one of the best countries for expats, offering a mix of safety, stability, career opportunities, and lifestyle.
5. Which Australian city has the best balance of lifestyle and cost?
Brisbane and Adelaide are often highlighted for combining affordability with good job opportunities and a relaxed way of life.
