Perth is one of Australia’s fastest-growing and most livable cities, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, economic opportunity, and strategic global positioning. Situated on the country’s west coast, Perth serves as a vital gateway to the Indo-Pacific region and is increasingly recognised for its innovation potential, high standard of living, and lifestyle appeal.
But how does Perth fare according to international rankings measuring economic performance and sustainability, city brand strength, and reputation?
Overview of Perth’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Perth’s overall performance across various international rankings. For a deeper analysis, our custom reports provide tailored insights for specific contexts, such as cities, regions, or countries.
| Ranking | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Brand Finance Global City Index | – | – | – | – | 52 | 71 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 63 | 89 | 91 | – | 83 | 83 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 101 | – | 74 | – | 63 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | – | 57 | 56 | 59 | 56 | 71 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 21 | – | – | – | 22 | 20 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 47 | 50 | 33 | 35 | 35 | 29 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 69 | 49 | 76 | 45 | 45 | 103 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 26 | 18 | 19 | 29 | 49 | 25 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | – | – | 25 | – |
City Brand Strength
Perth is steadily emerging as a distinctive and aspirational urban brand, increasingly recognised for its lifestyle appeal, economic potential, and natural assets. Ranked 71st in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024 and 83rd in Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities 2025 report, Perth is gaining ground on the global stage, particularly as a liveable, resource-rich city with strong ties to Asia-Pacific markets.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Perth is an emerging player in the global innovation landscape, combining natural resource strength with growing capabilities in science, technology, and education. Ranked 63rd in the Innovation Cities 2023 Index, Perth demonstrates potential in research, digital infrastructure, and creative sectors.
Its position at 71st in Kearney’s Global Power City Index 2024 reflects a city in transition—building global relevance through investment in knowledge industries, urban development, and international connectivity.
Appeal to Talent
Perth offers a high quality of life supported by excellent public services, access to nature, and a relaxed urban environment. Ranked 20th in Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024 and 25th in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025, the city is recognised for its strong performance in healthcare, safety, and environmental quality.
While Perth ranks 29th in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024—indicating relatively high costs for some goods and services—it sits lower at 103rd in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025, reflecting more favourable affordability from a local consumer perspective.
Urban Sustainability
Perth is steadily advancing its sustainability and smart city ambitions, with a growing focus on environmental stewardship and future-ready infrastructure. Ranked 25th in the Arcadis Sustainable City Index 2024, Perth demonstrates strong performance in areas such as green space provision, water management, and clean energy initiatives.
Our Key Takeaways
Perth is emerging as a globally connected, livable, and forward-looking city, known for its natural beauty, economic resilience, and strategic location as a gateway to Asia. With a high quality of life, growing innovation sector, and expanding cultural scene, Perth is strengthening its position on the global stage. However, it also faces challenges related to urban sprawl, cost of living, and climate resilience.
- Strengths: High quality of life, abundant natural amenities, strong resource-based economy.
- Weaknesses: Urban sprawl, car dependency.
- Opportunities: Growth in green industries, diversification beyond mining.
- Threats: Climate vulnerability (heat, water), housing affordability pressures.
Last updated in August 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Perth’s economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, the data is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Please verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
