Which Aussie cities offer the “perfect climate” for city living?

Can science tell us the perfect “living” climate for humans? Yes it can, and most Aussie cities enjoy temperatures in this range.

Residz Team 3 min read


I’ve just been holidaying in Tasmania and Victoria, and it was cold enough so that most days we sat in front of a roaring open fire.

This is a delicious novelty for someone from Sydney, and we no doubt annoyed our hosts by wasting precious firewood instead of rugging up.  

Then it was back in Sydney, which is today sitting at around 20°C. After a lovely summer it feels like a cold snap, and there’s no open fire to enjoy.

So, as I pulled on a warm windcheater it got me thinking - can science tell us the perfect “living” climate for humans?

Well, it appears they can!

According to Liz Osborn, writing for weather and science facts website Current Results, most people agree on what makes great city weather.

Survey shows ideal temperature

Liz says surveys of people in Canada, New Zealand and in northern and central Europe, find the majority prefer daily high temperatures in the range of 20 to 26 degrees Celsius (68 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit).

“Within that temperature span, the ideal is 22 to 23°C (72 to 73 °F). Adults young and old find that this temperature is the most comfortable.”

It’s information that has me reaching for my phone to check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast for the mid-Autumn week in which I write this.

In Sydney, the bureau predicts temperatures will range between highs of 20 and 22°C.

I see Tasmania will hover between 17 and 19°C, and Gippsland in Victoria will vary between highs of 17 and 23°C over the week.  

Unacceptably hot or unpleasantly cold

My brother lives in Far North Queensland and in that same week it was 28°C. Apparently this is still within the “acceptable” range.

The study showed nearly everyone finds city temperatures higher than 30 °C (86 °F) to be unacceptably hot.

Meanwhile, days which don't reach above 17°C (63 °F) are viewed as unpleasantly cold (unless in a resort catering for winter sports).

Where to buy a home in an ideal temperature climate?

Few cities stay at an ideal temperature year round, but if you’re considering buying a home in an ideal temperature climate, where might you start looking?

Well, that depends on the time of year (and year-to-year climate fluctuations). But, in general, most Aussie cities offer up an ideal climate at some time in the year.

Sydney

The average temperature in Sydney during March to May (autumn) and the months of October to November (spring) is around 22 to 23°C.

Brisbane

Similarly, during the months of April to May (autumn) and September to November (spring) Brisbane is around 22 to 23°C.

Darwin

Darwin reaches the ideal temperature of around 22 to 23°C during the months of May to September (dry season).

Perth

The months of September to November (spring) is when Perth averages temperatures around 22 to 23°C.

Melbourne and Adelaide have cooler average temperatures compared to the other cities mentioned above. However, they may experience average temperatures of around 22 to 23°C during certain times of the year.

Melbourne

The average temperature in Melbourne during the months of February to April (autumn) and November to December (spring) is around 21 to 23°C.

Adelaide

The average temperature in Adelaide during the months of March to May (autumn) and October to November (spring) is around 21 to 23°C.

Hobart

Hobart may reach an average temperature of around 22 to 23°C during the warmest months of the year (January and February) but during the rest of the year, the average temperature in Hobart is cooler, ranging from around 12 to 17°C.

Artificially creating the ideal climate

As a side note, I researched what air conditioning companies recommend and came across this piece of advice from a firm called Impact:

“Keep in mind that it is estimated that every 1 degree of change you are asking from your air conditioner to cool your property, equates to an extra 10% of electricity usage.

“To keep your electricity costs down, it is said that you should not try to cool the outside temperature by more than 8°C.

“For example, if the outside temperature is 30°C, the lowest you should be setting your air conditioner is 22°C.”

It says that it costs less to heat a home than to cool a home, and that during winter months it is recommended to keep your reverse cycle air conditioner around 20°C.

Of course, living in a city with an ideal climate means fewer months you need to do this!

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Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash