If you are choosing where to live in Perth, this page explains how distance, housing costs, transport and climate shape day-to-day life.
Living in Perth
Perth stretches from the Indian Ocean across the Swan River corridor towards the Darling Range. The CBD sits several kilometres inland, while suburbs extend north and south along the coast and east into the foothills. Where you live shapes your daily travel, access to beaches and parks, and housing costs.
Rail lines link the CBD with major suburban corridors, and buses serve areas beyond the rail network. Transperth network maps show where train lines and bus routes run, along with beaches and central destinations. Check the routes you expect to use most, because distance from the CBD does not show the full door-to-door travel time.
Housing costs generally rise with faster access to central workplaces, services and beaches. Inner-city and coastal suburbs tend to cost more, while outer suburbs often offer more space for the same budget and longer trips to central Perth.
Renting and buying in Perth
At the end of the 2025–26 financial year, REIWA reported Perth metropolitan median sale prices of $930,000 for houses and $670,000 for units. As at 14 July 2026, reported median weekly rents were $750 for houses and $700 for units. These metropolitan figures provide a benchmark rather than a price for every suburb or property. Prices vary with a property’s location, size, condition and features, so compare recent local sales and current rental listings in the suburbs you are considering. (Sale prices; rental figures)
Housing payments are only part of the household budget. Include utilities, groceries, transport, insurance and childcare, based on your household and likely travel patterns. Renters should compare each property’s full weekly cost and test the trip to work, study or regular appointments before signing a lease.
National figures show recent cost pressures, although they do not measure Perth alone. The ABS reported that its five household-type Living Cost Indexes rose between 1.1% and 2.5% in the March 2026 quarter. Across the household types, the main contributors included housing and health costs, along with transport. (ABS Living Cost Indexes, March 2026)
Buyers need to budget for loan repayments, council rates, building insurance and maintenance, with unit owners also paying strata levies. One-off expenses include building and pest inspections, conveyancing and any applicable transfer duty. Compare these expenses with rent, transport and travel time when assessing each housing option.
Choosing a Perth suburb
How easily residents reach the CBD, beaches, shops, schools and public transport varies by suburb. Leederville and Mount Lawley, in the inner city and inner north, put central Perth within easier reach, while Scarborough and Cottesloe are closer to beaches. Baldivis sits farther south of the CBD, with longer trips to central Perth and different housing prices.
A moving company’s April 2026 estimates place Leederville about 3 km from the CBD, with a median house price of $1.65 million. The same source lists Scarborough at about 14 km and $1.4 million, Cottesloe at about 12 km and $3.2 million, and Baldivis at about 45 km and $790,000. These are indicative estimates from one source, not current official suburb medians. Property type, condition, land size and sale timing affect prices. (KEYS Moving Company)
Test the actual route to your workplace or campus rather than relying on CBD distance. Check peak-hour traffic, parking costs and availability, public transport frequency, transfers and the time of day you expect to travel.
If public-school access matters, confirm the property’s current enrolment boundary through the WA Department of Education. Living in a suburb does not establish eligibility for a particular school.
Getting around Perth
Perth’s public transport network includes trains, buses and ferries. It works best for direct trips between home and regular destinations such as work, study or the CBD. Use the Transperth Journey Planner to check travel times, transfers and service frequency for the trips you would make.
The WA Government announced in April 2026 that the Go Anywhere Fare is $2.80 with a SmartRider using Autoload, or $3.50 when paying by credit or debit card. These are standard fares, separate from concession products. The Government also made free Sunday travel and free travel for students travelling to and from school permanent. Transperth fare information sets out eligibility and travel conditions.
Living near a train station or frequent bus route can reduce daily driving. Public transport is less direct for trips between outer suburbs or errands involving several stops, and services may be less frequent outside peak periods. Many Perth households rely on a car for cross-suburban travel.
Climate and outdoor life
Perth has hot, dry summers and cooler, wetter winters. Long-term Bureau of Meteorology climate averages for Perth Metro show average maximum temperatures of about 31–32°C in January and February, with 13–16 mm of monthly rainfall. From June to August, average maximum temperatures fall to about 18–20°C and monthly rainfall rises to roughly 124–144 mm. These averages describe seasonal patterns rather than the weather on a particular day.
The warmer, drier months suit beach trips. They are also a good time for walking, cycling and spending time along the Swan River. Parks, shared paths and foreshore areas support outdoor recreation throughout the year. Access depends on where you live: one household may walk to a beach, river path or large park, while another may need to drive or use public transport. The Explore Parks WA directory lists parks and recreation areas across Perth and Western Australia.
Winter rain disrupts outdoor plans more often. Check the Bureau’s live Perth forecast, warnings and current conditions before heading out.
