Choosing the best places to live in Perth means finding a space that resonates with your lifestyle. As the capital of Western Australia, Perth is situated on the Swan River, spread across the vast plain between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Escarpment. It attracts people from all over the world with its unparalleled sunshine, long stretches of coastline, and vibrant urban rhythm. This blog will provide an in-depth analysis of Perth’s top ten livable neighborhoods, offering a clear guide from lifestyle and community characteristics to surrounding amenities. This helps you find the ideal home you truly desire in this sun-soaked city.
Top 10 Best Places to Live in Perth
As Australia’s fourth-largest city, the population of Perth, Australia, is approximately 2.17 million in 2025 and is estimated to increase to 2.3-2.5 million by 2026. Perth is not only a hub of economy and innovation but also a paradise for outdoor living. The city boasts a thriving economy and is home to a wealth of cultural institutions, from world-class art galleries and ubiquitous street-side coffee culture to the relaxed ambiance of waterfront precincts and the vibrant energy of urban neighborhoods. Yet, the true essence of life here is hidden within its many distinctive communities. Whether you seek the ease of coastal living or the convenience of inner-city suburbs, many people prefer living in Perth and are looking forward ideal housing in Perth. Below, we will introduce the 10 best places to live in Perth.
Top 1. Cottesloe
Population: 7,750
Cost of Living: AUD 370 – AUD 4902 per month
Rental Property: AUD 800 – 1000 per week
Crimes per 1000 people: 58.32
Nestled along the Indian Ocean just west of Perth, Cottesloe is widely regarded as one of the great places to live in Australia. Famous for its stunning beach, clear turquoise waters, and iconic pine-lined esplanade, it offers a vibrant yet relaxed lifestyle. It is located roughly halfway between Perth’s CBD and the port of Fremantle. Cottesloe is generally residential, with a significant shopping area located between Jarrad and Station streets adjacent to the Cottesloe railway station.
Top 2. Subiaco
Population: 9,940
Cost of Living: AUD 410 – AUD 4800 per month
Rental Property: AUD 750 – 900 per week
Crimes per 1000 people: 134.91
Nestled just 3 kilometres west of Perth’s CBD, Subiaco is a vibrant inner-western suburb. It has undergone a remarkable transformation since the 1990s, evolving from a mixed industrial and working-class area into one of the best places to live in Perth. Today, Subiaco retains a distinctive low-rise, village-like charm centred around its bustling Rokeby Road and the historic Subiaco train station. The suburb has three schools: Subiaco Primary School, Perth Modern School, and Bob Hawke College. Notable landmarks include the former Subiaco Oval, the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, and the well-connected Subiaco railway station. Blending heritage character with modern convenience, Subiaco offers a dynamic lifestyle in the heart of Perth.
Top 3. Fremantle
Population: 31,930
Cost of Living: AUD 500 – AUD 4500 per month
Rental Property: AUD 800 – 1000 per week
Crimes per 1000 people: 376.93
Fremantle is a port city in Western Australia located at the mouth of the Swan River in the metropolitan area of Perth, the state capital, and is considered a good place to live in Australia. It is bounded by the Swan River to the north and north-west, the Indian Ocean to the west, South Street to the south, and the suburbs of East Fremantle and White Gum Valley to the east. Fremantle is renowned for its well-preserved architectural heritage, including convict-built structures and hundreds of gold rush-era buildings. Fremantle has a diverse economy, with over 2,000 registered businesses operating across a wide range of sectors. Fremantle offers a wide variety of dining experiences, with a strong emphasis on Italian and Asian cuisine as well as seafood.
Top 4. Swanbourne
Population: 4,980
Cost of Living: AUD 520 – AUD 4800 per month
Rental Property: AUD 820 – 1100 per week
Crimes per 1000 people: 28.96
Swanbourne is a western coastal suburb of Perth. It is an affluent, upper-middle-class residential area with older Federation-style homes, many being renovated. The suburb was established in the late 19th century. New housing estates have been built recently through the redevelopment of areas such as the Swanbourne Senior High School, Swanbourne Primary School and Lakeway Drive-In Cinema sites. Swanbourne is bounded by the Swanbourne Rifle Range and Cottesloe Golf Club to the north, Lake Claremont and Stirling Road to the east, the Fremantle railway line and North Street to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the west.
Top 5. Crawley
Population: 5,750
Cost of Living: AUD 610 – AUD 4700 per month
Rental Property: AUD 900 – 1200 per week
Crimes per 1000 people: 60.38
Crawley is a western suburb of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia and one of great places to live in Australia. The area is part of the local government area of the City of Perth and was previously shared between the City of Subiaco and City of Perth. It is about 5.8 kilometres from the Perth CBD via Mounts Bay Road. The Crawley Edge Boatshed is a well-recognised and frequently photographed site in Crawley. The Swan River at Crawley was utilised before the war as a flying boat landing location.
Top 6. Churchlands
Population: 3,638
Cost of Living: AUD 590 – AUD 4200 per month
Rental Property: AUD 850 – 1100 per week
Crimes per 1000 people: 26.94
Churchlands is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia approximately 8 km north-west of the central business district and regarded as one of best places to live in Perth. It lies within the local government area of the City of Stirling. Churchlands is an expensive suburb with most homes built after the 1980s. This suburb became known as “Churchlands” after being purchased by the Roman Catholic Church in 1891 from the Trigg family.
Top 7. Murdoch
Population: 3,352
Cost of Living: AUD 630 – AUD 4500 per month
Rental Property: AUD 880 – 1300 per week
Crimes per 1000 people: 104.71
Murdoch is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located within the City of Melville and regarded as one of great places to live in Perth. Murdoch University, St John of God Hospital Murdoch and Fiona Stanley Hospital are located in Murdoch. The suburb is named after Sir Walter Murdoch. Murdoch is located next to Winthrop, Bateman, Kardinya and North Lake. Boundaries with these suburbs are delineated by Somerville Drive, Murdoch Drive, Prescott Drive and Farrington Road respectively.
Top 8. Northbridge
Population: 1,420
Cost of Living: AUD 800 – AUD 4300 per month
Rental Property: AUD 910 – 1500 per week
Crimes per 1000 people: 13.86
Northbridge is an inner city suburb of Perth, Western Australia, historically separated from Perth’s central business district by the Fremantle and Joondalup railway lines and regarded as one of best places to live in Perth. It is part of the City of Perth local government area. Located immediately north of the CBD, Northbridge is officially bounded by William Street, Roe Street, Newcastle Street and the Mitchell Freeway. Northbridge presently is a multicultural precinct, and contains a wide array of cuisine, including Asian and Mediterranean cuisine, and contains Perth’s main nightlife district, which is centred on James Street and Lake Street.
Top 9. Bentley
Population: 3,790
Cost of Living: AUD 720 – AUD 4800 per month
Rental Property: AUD 860 – 1400 per week
Crimes per 1000 people: 241.08
Bentley is the best place to live in Perth for students if you are studying at Curtin University. Unlike the expensive coastal suburbs, the student housing near Curtin University is affordable and diverse, ranging from shared houses to modern purpose-built student accommodations (PBSAs). The proximity to the university means you can often walk or cycle to campus, saving both time and money. Local shops, supermarkets, and eateries line the streets, catering well to student budgets. With a vibrant, youthful atmosphere and plenty of shared housing, Bentley is undoubtedly the top choice.
Top 10. Highgate
Population: 10,955
Cost of Living: AUD 900 – AUD 5000 per month
Rental Property: AUD 950 – 1700 per week
Crimes per 1000 people: 46.40
Highgate is an inner metro suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located within the City of Vincent and north of the central business district of Perth and and regarded as one of best places to live in Perth. Highgate was named for the village of Highgate, Hawkhurst in Kent, England. Highgate is the smallest suburb in the Perth metropolitan region, with an area of just 400 ㎡. Among the landmarks of the area is the Lincoln Street Vent, a disused Art Deco sewerage vent, designed by Russell Dumas and completed in 1935, alongside the disused Highgate Hill Police Station.
Advantages of Living in Perth
- A Thriving Employment Market
Perth is home to a thriving job market and some of the fastest-growing sectors in Australia. Whether you’re hoping to secure an internship, a part-time job or even a graduate role, there are several opportunities available to residents and international students.
- Living Costs That Won’t Break the Bank
Day-to-day living costs in Perth are significantly cheaper than in other Australian capital cities, particularly Sydney and Melbourne. As a result, it’s much more affordable for those living on a student budget.
- A Multicultural Demographic
Perth heralds diverse demographics, making it welcoming for international students and locals alike.
- All Year-RoundSunshine
As Australia’s sunniest capital city, Perth is bathed in sunlight for an average of nine hours per day. For roughly 70% of the year, Perth residents enjoy clear blue skies, making it the envy of residents from the rainier East Coast.
- A Growing Arts Scene
Western Australia’s vibrant arts scene is easily one of the best things about living in Perth.
Methodology of Best Places to Live in Perth
uhomes.com identifies the top 10 best places to live in Perth by analyzing three core factors: Cost of Living, Rental Property, and Crimes per 1000 people.
Cost of Living reflects the expenses required to maintain a certain standard of living for an individual or household. Measured through cost-of-living indices and purchasing power parity, it helps compare affordability across different areas. Our analysis shows whether each recommended suburb remains genuinely affordable.
Rental Property is another essential criterion. Perth offers notably lower rental prices compared to Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, making it possible to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without the high costs typical in other major Australian cities. Both short-term and long-term rentals are comparatively more accessible here.
Crimes per 1000 people indicates how safe residents feel in their daily lives, reflecting the security of personal freedom and property. This metric is based on systematic, quantifiable data, including adjustments from public surveys on unreported crime. We use a Crime Index to assess safety levels: below 20 is considered very low, 20–40 low, 40–60 moderate, 60–80 high, and above 80 very high. This helps gauge the true security environment of each suburb.
List of Top 10 Best Places to Live in Perth
- Top 1. Cottesloe
- Top 2. Subiaco
- Top 3. Fremantle
- Top 4. Swanbourne
- Top 5. Crawley
- Top 6. Churchlands
- Top 7. Murdoch
- Top 8. Northbridge
- Top 9. Bentley
- Top 10. Highgate
Conclusion of Best Places to Live in Perth
In summary, we’ve explored the 10 best places to live in Perth. Perth presents a compelling package: a healthy outdoor lifestyle, lower living costs compared to eastern cities, and a safe environment. Each suburb in our top 10 list offers a distinct flavour of the Perth lifestyle.
Ultimately, the “best” place to live is deeply personal. It’s the place where your daily life aligns with your aspirations. We encourage you to revisit the highlights of each suburb, consider what matters most to you. Be it budget, lifestyle, or proximity to university or workplace, take the next step in your journey.
FAQs about Best Places to Live in Perth
According to SalaryExpert, the yearly average salary in Perth is 102,000 AUD, while the lowest is 25,800 AUD per year. We have already mentioned that a single person needs approximately 3,500 AUD -4,000 AUD per month or 42,000 AUD – 48,000 AUD per year to cover his regular expenses.
Worst Suburbs in Perth for Crime
Suburbs like Armadale, Balga, and Mirrabooka often come up in discussions about high crime rates. While these areas may offer more affordable housing, the safety concerns can be a significant drawback.
Kings Park is THE number one destination for tourists and locals in Perth to take that shot of the Perth city skyline. The elevated position of beautiful Kings Park gives sweeping panoramic views over Perth, the Swan River and to the Darling Ranges in the distance.
The recent suburbs flagged as crime hotspots are Midvale, Burwood, Perth CBD, Midland, Mandurah, Wellard, Fremantle, Armadale, Osborne Park, Belmont, Canningtion, Forestdale, Cannington and Balga for 2023.
