Quality of Life in Canberra, Australia

Purchasing Power Index	136.36	Very High
Safety Index	79.82	High
Health Care Index	80.61	Very High
Climate Index	82.72	Very High
Cost of Living Index	70.77	Moderate
Property Price to Income Ratio	5.58	Low
Traffic Commute Time Index	23.22	Very Low
Pollution Index	13.47	Very Low

ƒ Quality of Life Index:	221.02	Very High

Minimum contributors for an underlying section: 57

Maximum contributors for an underlying section: 160

Last update: April 2019

This page in other languages:

DeutschLebensqualität in Canberra
ItalianoQualità della Vita a Canberra
FrançaisQualité de Vie à Canberra
EspañolCalidad de Vida en Canberra

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10 Comments so far

#Calester on Jan 31, 2019 :

Canberra lives a perpetual paradox. Disliked as sterile and alien by Australians (most of whom haven't been here since their 6th grade excursion 20 years ago), Canberrans are also accused of "living in luxury and tax payer funded comfort". It cant be both and it isn't. Relax everyone, we pay taxes too (probably more than you!). To many people's surprise, who think of it as a big country town, we are currently experiencing growing pains and some actual traffic! A new tramway seems a small thing, but is a big deal to locals and is transforming the suburbs that are on its route. With more to come. Like most people, you come here for the work (usually in the government or in the professional services working with government) and you stay for the convenience and quality of life. Schools, excellent; environment/cycling, fantastic, coffee/breakfast scene, tolerably good. My answer to effective life balance has been "live in Canberra, but travel regularly". It works for me.

#CBRfan on Sep 19, 2018 :

I have lived in several countries and many cities in Australia and elsewhere. I find Canberra to be a truly exceptional city: you can get anywhere in 20 minutes, outstanding natural beauty (lakes and mountains) all easily accessible in the 20 minute time frame, cultured (at least from an Australian perspective), decent housing and at reasonable cost compared to Melbourne and Sydney and a clean environment. In addition, it has the amenities of a national capital. What's not to like? A cold winter by Australian standards with day time temperatures 9-10 C, but the sun is always warm and a clear blue sky is often overhead lasting from late June to early Sept.

#Anonymous on Apr 07, 2018 :

I've lived in many cities in Australia both small and large, as well as a few overseas but I have to say that I agree with Canberra's placement as the highest ranked city for quality of life. I don't think any other city could offer anything worth trading my 3 minute commute, excellent community, clear air, safety, low population density, nice climate, and greenery for. The CBD is very much like living in the outer suburbs of a city like Brisbane with none of the inconveniences or poorly maintained public land.

#Harold Holt on Nov 22, 2017 :

Lets not confuse "Quality of Life in Canberra" with "Bearability of Life in Canberra".
To live in Canberra means you have to grin and bear politician's in your face 24-7.
After I went AWOL at Cheviot Beach, I found a new life in Liechtenstein free from politics'.
I now live in a pine box, 6' below ground under my Australian tax payer funded castle.
And you thought the German's abducted me in a submarine......t.b.c...

#Anonymous on Mar 01, 2017 :

Highest ranked city in the entire Numbeo database, and despite a few negative comments, I'd largely agree. I've lived in all Australian capitals except Darwin and quite a few cities overseas (in Japan, Singapore, UK, Canada and US), and Canberra is the nicest place to live out of the lot (particularly if you like outdoor pursuits). There are downsides, but that's true of anywhere. People complain about the climate, but it's the sunniest and least windy Australian capital, and is only 'cold' in winter if you're comparing to other Australian cities which barely have seasons at all (on a global scale, winter is laughably warm in Canberra).

Having said that, all Australian cities rank very highly and there's not a great deal of difference between them.

#Anonymous on Sep 07, 2016 :

Quality of life is degraded each year and ranks well behind Sydney or Melbourne in reality.
The stats are unable to capture & display the punishing cost of the inhospitable climate (weather & political).

#Anonymous on Jul 21, 2016 :

Quality of life in Canberra is like living on a farm with anti-social but friendly people. The place is a hole unless you live in the CBD

#Daniel on Dec 19, 2015 :

I live in Canberra and I think your average monthly income is a little high. As for purchasing property it is very difficult to buy land although apartments and villas are not too high. Rents have recently come down a bit, but generally very high. We have had recent culling in the public servive but in normal economic times, Canberra is expensive to rent or buy. Similar to Sydney

#Admin on Oct 12, 2015 :

Johan, please consult our Terms of Use document (at the bottom of each page).

#Johan on Oct 10, 2015 :

Not sure where you are getting your information from but from a CSIRO perspective you are dictating a completely incorrect view of Canberra.. The cost of living and liveability in Canberra is higher that the likes of Sydney or Melbourne, this is published information.

Please do your research before publishing the rubbish that you are on your site..

You are trashing the most liveable cost effective states / territories in Australia.. (I have lived in 4 of them)

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