Economy, jobs and prices in Perth, Australia: official figures
The median total income of residents of the City of Perth who had income was $56,520 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 10th lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the City of Perth local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the median wage in Perth?
The median employee income in the City of Perth was $59,396 for the year 2022-23, 9th lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $61,966.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median household income in Perth?
The median equivalised household income in the City of Perth was $1,468 a week at the 2021 Census (household income adjusted for household size), 3rd highest of 26 areas; for Australia it was $1,070.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Perth?
The unemployment rate in the City of Perth was 6.1% at the 2021 Census (census night, 10 August 2021), 5th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (5.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Perth?
67.2% of residents of the City of Perth aged 15 and over were in the labour force (working or looking for work) at the 2021 Census, 8th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (61.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Perth?
Of the 16,702 employed residents of the City of Perth at the 2021 Census, the largest industries were professional, scientific and technical services (14.5%; 7.8% nationally), accommodation and food services (12.9%) and health care and social assistance (12.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many businesses are there in Perth?
13,552 businesses were registered in the City of Perth at 30 June 2025, which is 380 for every 1,000 residents (2nd highest of 26 areas; Australia 99); 61% of them had no employees.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes were approved in Perth in 2024-25?
Building approvals in the City of Perth in 2024-25 covered 212 new dwellings (5.9 per 1,000 residents; Australia 6.8) and building work worth $1,133 million in total.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median house price in Perth?
The median price of an established house sold in the City of Perth in 2023-24 was $1,570,000, 2nd highest of 26 areas (Australia $780,000); the median price of an attached dwelling (such as a unit or townhouse) was $485,000.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people rent in Perth?
90.1% of occupied homes in the City of Perth were flats or apartments at the 2021 Census (Australia 14.2%), and 64.7% of homes were rented (Australia 30.6%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Perth do not own a car?
21.0% of households in the City of Perth had no motor vehicle at the 2021 Census, 4th highest of 26 areas (Australia 7.4%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many solar panels were installed in Perth in 2024?
89 small-scale solar panel systems were installed in the City of Perth in 2024, 2.5 per 1,000 residents (Australia 11.7).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Perth compares with other cities in Australia
Unemployment rate, 2021 Census (2021 Census (10 August 2021))
Perth ranks 5 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Melbourne | 7.6% |
| 3 | Hobart | 7.0% |
| 4 | Greater Hobart | 6.2% |
| 5 | Perth | 6.1% |
| 6 | Cairns | 5.7% |
| 7 | Sydney | 5.6% |
| 8 | Greater Brisbane | 5.5% |
Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 (2022-23)
Perth ranks 17 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Median total income of income earners, 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Geelong | $57,523 |
| 15 | Greater Adelaide | $57,401 |
| 16 | Greater Hobart | $56,852 |
| 17 | Perth | $56,520 |
| 18 | Ballarat | $55,825 |
| 19 | Toowoomba | $55,551 |
| 20 | Cairns | $55,547 |
Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 (30 June 2025)
Perth ranks 2 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Businesses per 1,000 residents, 30 June 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adelaide | 430 |
| 2 | Perth | 380 |
| 3 | Sydney | 352 |
| 4 | Melbourne | 241 |
| 5 | Hobart | 124 |
| 6 | Gold Coast | 120 |
| 7 | Greater Sydney | 115 |
More on Perth: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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