Kaylee Cranley
Updated 1 Jun 2026, 10:01am
First published 1 Jun 2026, 9:57am
Australia’s most entertaining place to live has been unveiled, with Sydney taking the crowning position as lifestyle, culture and convenience increasingly influence where people choose to settle.
New research from Muval ranked SA4 regions nationwide using 17 lifestyle measures, spanning dining, night-life, arts, recreation, fitness and outdoor activities, to unveil the areas offering Aussies the richest social and entertainment experiences.
Sydney City and Inner South was crowned supreme as the country’s most entertaining region to live in, topping the national rankings with a score of 71.8 out of 100.
It also held the country’s only perfect 100/100 eating-out score, with 275.6 restaurants and 246.2 cafes per 100,000 people.
Sydney also held the country’s only perfect 100/100 eating-out score. Picture: Bob Henry/via Getty Images
It leads as Australia’s most ‘buzzing’ region driven by the high concentration of restaurants, cafes and events, this was followed by Inner Melbourne at 63.4/100, Inner Perth at 63.2/100 and Brisbane Inner City at 62.0/100.
Muval CEO James Morrell said where Australians choose to live has always been decided primarily by affordability and location; however, it is increasingly being shaped further by convenience and lifestyle access.
“Major inner-city areas such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane continue to rank highly because they offer a diverse mix of entertainment options, such as restaurants, night-life, events and cultural experiences all within proximity,” he said.
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James Morrell
“This makes them particularly attractive for young professionals and people wanting a more active, social lifestyle.”
Regional areas were also revealed to be increasingly competing with major capitals for lifestyle appeal, with Hume ranking fifth nationally (59.2/100) and Coffs Harbour and Grafton placing seventh overall (53.9/100) despite being outside major metropolitan areas.
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Regional areas are also increasingly competing with major capitals, Hume in NSW ranked fifth nationally for lifestyle appeal
“Areas like Hume and the Coffs Harbour and Grafton region are becoming more viable options for people who want to live more regionally, but still have options for activities to do,” Mr Morrell said.
“Aussies are being increasingly drawn to locations that combine a balance of entertainment, outdoor recreation and lifestyle appeal without needing to live near a major central business district (CBD)”
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