Best suburbs to live in Sydney 2025

Sydney offers a remarkable diversity of lifestyle options, from coastal luxury and leafy family-friendly neighbourhoods to vibrant cultural hubs and developing urban centres. 

Whether you’re seeking proximity to the city, stunning beachside views, or access to nature reserves, there’s a suburb to suit your preferences across Sydney’s many regions.

Sydney’s property market has remained competitive despite affordability pressures, with more affordable suburbs and lifestyle-focused locations becoming increasingly desirable. 

The following is a curated list of some of the most liveable suburbs across Sydney as selected by outlets like TimeOut, Home Truth, PRD and SuburbsGuide, considering factors such as location, amenities, property prices, and community appeal.

Best suburbs to live in Sydney's Inner West

The Inner West of Sydney is celebrated for its cultural richness, heritage architecture, and eclectic lifestyle, making it a prime choice for professionals, young families, and creatives. Its proximity to the CBD, combined with thriving local businesses, trendy cafes, and parks, makes it one of Sydney’s most desirable regions.

Marrickville continues to be a hotspot, renowned for its arts scene, craft breweries, and music venues. The area balances industrial roots with modern vibrancy, offering median house prices around $2 million while maintaining a relaxed, village-style atmosphere.

Newtown is a creative hub, famous for its bustling King Street strip, vintage stores, and performance venues. The area’s rich nightlife and restaurant scene, combined with its proximity to Sydney University, make it a favourite for young professionals. Median house prices sit at approximately $1.8 million.

Balmain, perched along Sydney Harbour, offers a more historic charm with its sandstone terraces, waterfront pubs, and ferry access to the city. The suburb’s desirable position comes with a premium price tag, with median house prices exceeding $2.7 million.

Other notable mentions in the Inner West include Stanmore, known for its federation homes and excellent schools, and Leichhardt, with its Italian dining scene and family appeal.

Best suburbs to live in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs

Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs deliver a mix of coastal beauty, luxury living, and access to some of the city’s most prestigious schools. The area is synonymous with glamorous beachside homes, upmarket boutiques, and prime real estate.

Double Bay stands out for its boutique shopping, harbourside views, and proximity to the CBD, with a median house price of $7.3 million. While home values may be especially high in Double Bay, the area caters to an upscale lifestyle, with elegant cafes, parks, and a strong community feel.

Randwick offers a more balanced mix of family living and entertainment. Home to the University of New South Wales and the Royal Randwick Racecourse, it provides excellent schools, parklands, and strong transport links. The median house price is approximately $3.5 million.

Kingsford, a rapidly evolving suburb, offers more affordable units with a median price around $940,000. Its proximity to the UNSW campus and the South East Light Rail has enhanced its liveability significantly.

For those seeking coastal living, Bondi remains iconic with its beach culture and buzzing atmosphere, while Clovelly offers a quieter beachside experience perfect for families.

Best suburbs to live in Sydney's Southwest

The South West of Sydney has become a growing hub for families and first-home buyers looking for affordability without sacrificing space or quality of life. This region has seen significant infrastructure development over the past decade, including the expansion of major roads and public transport links, making it more accessible to the CBD and other parts of Greater Sydney.

Oran Park has rapidly transformed from a semi-rural area into a thriving suburban community, thanks to modern housing developments, schools, and shopping centres. With a median house price around $1.1 million, it offers spacious family homes, new parks, and easy access to the future Western Sydney Airport precinct.

Leppington is another standout suburb due to its proximity to both the airport and key employment hubs. The median house price sits at approximately $1.1 million, and with ongoing development projects, it’s become a prime location for young families seeking growth potential and modern amenities.

Campbelltown, a long-established suburb in the South West, continues to offer some of the region’s most affordable properties with a median house price around $890,000. Its mix of established homes, excellent schooling options, and easy access to Macarthur Square shopping centre makes it popular for both families and retirees.

Other top choices include Gregory Hills and Austral, which offer modern housing estates, family-friendly environments, and strong growth potential due to ongoing development and proximity to key infrastructure projects.

Best suburbs to live in Sydney's Western Suburbs

Sydney's vast Western Suburbs provide a mix of established neighbourhoods, growing infrastructure, and better affordability compared to Sydney’s east and north. This region has seen significant growth due to expanding transport links and large-scale developments.

Parramatta, often referred to as Sydney’s “second CBD,” has undergone major urban transformation in recent years. With new high-rise developments, commercial hubs, and cultural venues like the Riverside Theatre, the area remains an economic powerhouse. Median house prices sit around $1.7 million.

Merrylands, just south of Parramatta, offers a multicultural feel with diverse eateries and excellent schooling options. The median house price sits at approximately $1.25 million, making it a relatively affordable choice for families.

Granville, known for its blend of heritage properties and newer developments, offers a lower entry point for buyers with median house prices around $1.1 million. Its train connectivity and community infrastructure add to its appeal.

Further west, Blacktown has become a magnet for first-home buyers due to ongoing infrastructure improvements and family-friendly amenities.

Best suburbs to live in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire and St George               

The Sutherland Shire and St George regions are famous for their laid-back, family-friendly environments, surrounded by beaches and national parks. Known as “The Shire,” this area blends suburban living with natural beauty.

Cronulla is the Shire’s crown jewel, offering a blend of surf beaches, vibrant cafes, and a relaxed coastal vibe. Median house prices hover around $2.9 million due to the beachfront appeal.

Banksia is a hidden gem in the St George region, with a close-knit community and proximity to the beach, where the median house price sits at $1.75 million.

Turrella, often overshadowed by its neighbours, offers green spaces and newer developments, making it a more affordable option with median house prices of $1.75 million.

Other attractive locations include Caringbah South for its family appeal and Gymea for its charming village feel.

Best suburbs to live in Sydney's North Shore and Northern Beaches

The North Shore and Northern Beaches are known for their leafy suburbs, prestigious schools, and premium waterfront properties. This region offers a mix of luxury living, family-friendly environments, and stunning natural surroundings.

Naremburn has become a standout for its proximity to the city while maintaining a quiet, village-like charm. Median house prices are approximately $3.5 million.

Denistone, a serene suburb with large family homes and parks, boasts median prices around $2.35 million and appeals to established families seeking space and privacy.

Manly, famous for its beach culture and ferry access to the CBD, remains one of Sydney’s most desirable coastal suburbs, with median house prices of approximately $4.3 million.

Other popular choices include Neutral Bay and Mosman for their harbourside luxury and vibrant dining scenes.

Best area to live in Sydney for families

For families, suburbs offering spacious homes, quality schools, and parks are key priorities. The Upper North Shore remains a top pick, with areas like Wahroonga and Pymble excelling in education and green spaces.

Wahroonga offers large family homes and proximity to prestigious schools, with median house prices around $2.5 million. Pymble, similarly, is known for its spacious properties and reputable schools, with median prices near $3.2 million.

West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook are also strong options for families seeking excellent school catchments and suburban tranquility.

Best area to live in Sydney for young professionals

Young professionals often seek vibrant neighbourhoods close to the CBD with strong nightlife, cafes, and easy commuting options. Newtown, Alexandria, and Waterloo fit this description perfectly.

Newtown, with its bohemian vibe and proximity to Sydney University, remains a hotspot for creatives and professionals, with a median house price of $1.8 million.

Alexandria offers converted warehouse apartments and a thriving cafe scene, with median house prices around $2.1 million.

Waterloo, known for modern apartment living and excellent transport links — including the newly built Metro station — has median house prices around $1.9 million while units go for around $930,000.

How to choose the best suburb in Sydney for you

When choosing the best suburb in Sydney for you, it's important to weigh up the factors that are most important to you.

Proximity to a workplace might be the biggest priority for young professionals, however, for young families more space is often more important. While potentially gaining a longer commute time, families might look to the western suburbs, where family homes are more affordable. 

Start your research by looking at the features of a suburb, specifically:

• The price of local property
• Type of accommodation available - houses or units
• Proximity to supermarkets and shops
• Public transport options
• Proximity to your workplace
• How quiet the area is
• The local crime rate
• What local amenities like schools, parks and swimming pools there are
• What parking is available

You can also use the resources on our site to help you, like our free property reports, which include a property value estimate and a list of recent sales in the neighbourhood.