Best suburbs to live in Brisbane 2023

With an idyllic climate, proximity to some of the country's finest beaches, and a laid back lifestyle to enjoy, it's little wonder that you're searching for the best suburbs in Brisbane to lay down some roots. 

But, what exactly makes a suburb the "best"? And, where can we find these golden gems - the best places to live in Brisbane? Read on to find out!

What is the criteria for the best suburbs to live in Brisbane?

According to a report formulated by CityPulse SEQ, the top suburbs in Brisbane are deciphered by three metrics - live, work and play. For example, in the 'live' category, factors such as proximity to hospitals and the CBD, crime rates in the area, and affordable housing are all considered. 

When searching for good suburbs in Brisbane, also look at:

• Proximity to educational hubs - universities, schools, etc.
• Access to childcare
• Public transport connections, particularly train lines
• Close to work opportunities
• Surrounding natural, cultural and entertainment precincts
• Local shopping centres and dining options
• Tree coverage
• Traffic congestion
• The quality of mobile phone and internet coverage
• Aesthetics like views and nearby beaches

Liveability is one of the greatest attributes to a suburb. People are willing to pay more to live in good areas that are well-connected and have ample amenities. This, of course, can be a matter of opinion depending on the demographic of individuals looking for a home. 

For instance, families will favour areas with good school zones and lower crime rates, whereas young professionals will gravitate towards proximity to the city for work and leisure activities. Keeping this in mind, let's take a look at the best areas to live in Brisbane. 

Best suburbs to live in Brisbane: City

For those that work hard and play hard, the suburbs of Brisbane City and Fortitude Valley, with their special mix of old-world and new-world architecture and upbeat vibes, will appeal to young professionals.

If you want a more suburban aspect with leafier streets and less traffic and highrises, then New Farm, Newstead and Bowen Hills offer great lifestyle experiences, while still remaining in the thick of things. With the river practically on your doorstep and an Urban Renewal Project that has transformed these suburbs into thriving hubs, you can't go wrong! 

"For those that work hard and play hard, the suburbs of Brisbane City and Fortitude Valley will appeal to young professionals"

How much will it set you back to live in the heart of the city? Well, it can be surprisingly affordable for apartment dwellers. A unit in Fortitude Valley has a median sale price of $389,000, while the median rent is $420 per week. 

Expect to pay more in Newstead, where units have a median sale price of $625,000, but that's down -6.30% over the past 12 months. Rent in this riverside suburb averages $500 per week.

Best suburbs to live in Brisbane: Inner South

There's an abundance of nice suburbs in Brisbane in the inner south. Many of which have streets lined with jacarandas blooming dreamily throughout the months of spring. 

For proximity to the city and a trendy, eclectic vibe, West End does not disappoint. Other highly-rated suburbs a walk away from the city centre are Woolloongabba, South Brisbane and Kangaroo Point. 

South Brisbane ranks first in the 'play' category according to the CityPulse SEQ findings. However, each of these areas has their own little slice of culture and foodie paradise, while remaining close to top healthcare and educational institutions. 

Not too much further out, you'll find the well-connected and picturesque suburbs of Tarragindi, Greenslopes and Coorparoo - all ranking very highly on the report, with Coorparoo coming second, Tarragindi third and Greenslopes fifth. 

These really are some of the best suburbs in south Brisbane - they're excellent for families looking for good schools, access to great parks, shopping and more.

In West End, the median house price is $1 million, which is up 5.76% over the past 12 months, while the median for a unit is $533,000. The weekly rental average is $565 and $460 per week respectively. In Tarragindi, the median house price is $789,000, while the average rent is $500 per week. 

Other suburbs that rank well in the inner south are Yeronga, East Brisbane, Fairfield and Camp Hill. 

Best suburbs to live in Brisbane: Inner East

In the inner east, Norman Park, Morningside and Seven Hills all score well in the 'live' category, and it's easy to see why. This cluster of suburbs is nestled amongst the natural surroundings of either bushland or the Brisbane River, with access to the ferry service and other public transport options. There are great schools in the area and easy access to shopping hubs. 

"In the inner east, Norman Park, Morningside and Seven Hills all score well in the 'live category of the CityPulse SEQ report"

Across the river, the prestigious suburb of Hamilton scores well in the 'work' category with residents having access to quality employment opportunities, while also enjoying an excellent lifestyle close to the water.

Of course, being in the inner ring brings a heftier price tag. The median house price in Norman Park is $900,000, while the median unit price is $529,000. Hamilton commands a higher median sale price of $1.5 million, which isn't too bad when you compare it with Sydney and Melbourne inner-city markets. However, units are attainable with a median price of $492,000. 

Best suburbs to live in Brisbane: Inner West

Toowong scores highly over all three categories of live, work and play. If you're looking for the best suburbs to rent in Brisbane, the inner west may be the ticket! These upmarket suburbs have their own individual hubs for shopping and dining. 

With its steep hills, Paddington offers gorgeous vistas of the city and an excellent work-life balance. Red Hill and Auchenflower are also great choices.

Toowong offers decent prices despite its proximity to everything with a median house price of $891,000, and despite the downturn it's up 9% over the past year. The median price for a unit is $425,000. Pretty Paddington has a median house price of $1.1 million, which is down -1.52%, and units are $497,000.

Best suburbs to live in Brisbane: Inner North

These are some of the best suburbs north Brisbane has to offer. Ashgrove is another suburb that scores highly across the criteria. Other top suburbs include Wilston, Lutwyche, Wooloowin and Newmarket. 

Two of Brisbane's most historic suburbs Kelvin Grove and Herston are the cream of the crop. Close to the city-centre, with excellent educational institutions and heritage-listed architecture, they are highly sought-after areas. 

"Two of Brisbane's most historic suburbs, Kelvin Grove and Herston are the cream of the crop."

For a trendy and beautiful suburb like Ashgrove, the median price sits at $980,000 for houses and $425,000 for units. While in Kelvin Grove a house is more affordable at $805,000, and units are similar in price at $419,000. 

Best suburbs to live in Brisbane: Southside

If you're looking for a home not too far from the city with more affordability, Holland Park in the Southside is a good choice. The median price for a house is $720,000, while units are $395,000. 

The suburb is perfectly located for families, with access to good schools, shops, the library and busway. Nearby, Mount Gravatt is also a great option and excellent for entry level buyers with a median house price of $649,000. 

Further afield, Springfield Lakes ranks highly on the live and work metrics even though it's 33 kilometres from the CBD. This is because it's in the satellite city of Springfield, offering affordable suburbs in Brisbane with its own opportunities for employment. Here, the median price is just $423,000.

Best suburbs to live in Brisbane: Northside

Another satellite city, North Lakes is coming into its own also scoring highly on the live and work metrics. With more growth on the horizon, it's a self-sufficient, master-planned community designed with families in mind. If affordability is a factor, the median price is achievable for even first home buyers at $475,000 for houses and $364,000 for units. 

"With more growth on the horizon, North Lakes is a self-sufficient, master-planned community designed with families in mind."

Other northern suburbs to consider are Kedron and Everton Park. Kedron has extensive parklands and is relatively close to the city, particularly with the use of the new Airport Link road. Lovingly restored Queenslanders are abundant in both areas. 

You can expect to pay around $733,000 for a house in Kedron or $398,000 for a unit. While Everton Park's median price for a house is $598,000.