Compare cities

Compare Australian cities side by side

Pick two or three capital cities and see population, incomes, rent, climate and regional visa status next to each other - every figure from an official source.

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Comparing: Perth, Sydney
People
	PerthWestern Australia	SydneyNew South Wales
Population (greater city area)ABS estimate, 30 June 2025	2,452,765	5,638,830
Median age2021 Census	37 years	37 years
Money and housing
Median household incomePer week, 2021 Census	$1,865	$2,077
Median rentPer week, 2021 Census	$350	$470
Climate
Average top temperature, JanuarySummer	31.4°C Average 1994-2026	26.0°C Average 1859-2020
Average top temperature, JulyWinter	18.5°C Average 1994-2026	16.4°C Average 1859-2020
Average yearly rainfall	719 mm Average 1993-2026	1,211 mm Average 1858-2020
Visa regional status
LIN 22/022 listingWhat the instrument lists, not a visa assessment	Listed as a designated city or major regional centre (postcodes 6000-6038, 6050-6083, 6090-6182 and others).	Central postcodes are not listed. Some outer postcodes are, so check the exact postcode.

Perth

Western Australia

People

Population (greater city area)ABS estimate, 30 June 2025: 2,452,765
Median age2021 Census: 37 years

Money and housing

Median household incomePer week, 2021 Census: $1,865
Median rentPer week, 2021 Census: $350

Climate

Average top temperature, JanuarySummer: 31.4°C
Average 1994-2026
Average top temperature, JulyWinter: 18.5°C
Average 1994-2026
Average yearly rainfall: 719 mm
Average 1993-2026

Visa regional status

LIN 22/022 listingWhat the instrument lists, not a visa assessment: Listed as a designated city or major regional centre (postcodes 6000-6038, 6050-6083, 6090-6182 and others).

Sydney

New South Wales

People

Population (greater city area)ABS estimate, 30 June 2025: 5,638,830
Median age2021 Census: 37 years

Money and housing

Median household incomePer week, 2021 Census: $2,077
Median rentPer week, 2021 Census: $470

Climate

Average top temperature, JanuarySummer: 26.0°C
Average 1859-2020
Average top temperature, JulyWinter: 16.4°C
Average 1859-2020
Average yearly rainfall: 1,211 mm
Average 1858-2020

Visa regional status

LIN 22/022 listingWhat the instrument lists, not a visa assessment: Central postcodes are not listed. Some outer postcodes are, so check the exact postcode.

Good to know

Median age, household income and rent come from the 2021 Census, the latest available. Rents and incomes have changed since then, so read these as a comparison between cities, not as today's prices.
Climate figures are long-term averages at one weather station per city, over different numbers of years, so the comparison is approximate. Sydney's station closed in August 2020.
Regional status shows what LIN 22/022 lists for each city's postcodes. Whether it matters for you depends on the visa and your circumstances.

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from one of these official sources, read on 27 September 2026.

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This page is general information only and is not migration advice. Figures change over time, and nothing here promises any visa outcome. For advice on your situation, speak with a registered migration agent.