Melbourne vs Perth
Cost of living, weather, jobs and lifestyle, side by side. Pick any two cities to switch.
| Fact | Melbourne | Perth |
|---|---|---|
| Population1 | 5.2 million | 2.3 million |
| State | Victoria | Western Australia |
| Median house price2 | $780k | $800k |
| Median weekly rent (house)2 | $560 | $680 |
| Average summer day3 | 26°C | 31°C |
| Average winter day3 | 14°C | 19°C |
| Annual rainfall3 | 650 mm | 730 mm |
| Time zone4 | AEST (UTC+10), daylight saving | AWST (UTC+8) |
| Main industries5 | Health, education, finance, creative industries | Mining and resources, construction, health |
Melbourne is 2 hours ahead of Perth in winter. Melbourne uses daylight saving, so the gap changes by an hour from October to April. Figures are rounded, indicative values and are a guide only.
What it's really like: Melbourne and Perth beyond the numbers
What each city is known for
Melbourne. Cafe culture and coffee, laneway bars, street art, live music and a packed events calendar: the Australian Open, the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup.
Perth. Long white-sand beaches, Kings Park, Rottnest Island and its quokkas, and some of the sunniest weather of any Australian capital. It is one of the most isolated big cities in the world.
Getting around
Melbourne. The world's largest urban tram network covers the inner city, backed by a metro train network and the Metro Tunnel. Toll roads are fewer than Sydney's (mainly CityLink and EastLink), but traffic on the outer freeways is heavy.
Perth. Transperth runs trains, buses and ferries, and the network has expanded with Metronet. Perth has no toll roads, and freeways make driving the norm.
Sport
Melbourne. AFL is close to a religion: nine of the 18 clubs are based here and the MCG holds 100,000 people. Melbourne Park, AAMI Park and Marvel Stadium sit within walking distance of the city centre.
Perth. AFL dominates, with the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers sharing Optus Stadium (60,000 seats). Cricket and the Western Force (rugby union) also have strong followings.
Day-to-day life
Melbourne. An indoor-outdoor city of neighbourhoods, each with its own high street. Weather changes fast ('four seasons in one day') and winters are grey, but housing is markedly cheaper than Sydney.
Perth. Beach-and-backyard living with a slower pace. Mining work, including fly-in fly-out jobs, shapes the economy. Being three hours behind the east coast in winter takes some getting used to.
Sources: Public Transport Victoria · Visit Melbourne · Transperth · Tourism Western Australia