Is Wollongong a good place to live?
How each score is calculated: CostiAffordability, 0–100. Higher = cheaper. = 100 − (country price level vs US × a city-size premium). Source: World Bank PPP ÷ exchange rate (US = 100). · ClimateiComfort, 0–100, from WorldClim monthly temperatures. Penalises hot summers (above ~24°C), cold winters (below ~6°C) and too-cool summers (below 15°C). Higher = milder. · Safetyi0–100. Higher = safer. Blends 55% natural-disaster safety (8 hazards — earthquake from real USGS records, plus flood, storm, wildfire, heat, drought, cold, tsunami) and 45% crime safety (homicide rate). · LivabilityiOverall score, 0–100 = 0.35 × Cost + 0.30 × Climate + 0.35 × Safety. (hover the i)
- Livability — overall score = 0.35 × Cost + 0.30 × Climate + 0.35 × Safety.
- Cost — affordability vs the United States (100 = US prices). Higher = cheaper to live.
- Climate — year-round comfort; penalises extreme summer heat, harsh winters and chilly summers.
- Safety — combined natural-disaster exposure (earthquake, flood, storm, wildfire, heat, drought, cold, tsunami) and crime (homicide rate). Higher = safer.
- Hazard tiers — each disaster type is rated 1 (very low risk) to 5 (very high risk).
What living in Wollongong actually looks like
On cost, Australia sits at 52 on the World Bank price level (US=100) — well below US prices — which maps to an affordability score of 48/100. The climate brings mild summers (warmest-month highs around 21.8°C) and mild winters (coldest-month lows near 12.4°C), scoring 100/100 on our comfort index. Personal safety is moderate at 66/100 — a blend of natural-disaster exposure (65/100; main risk storms (hurricane/cyclone)) and crime safety (70/100). Weighted together (0.35 cost, 0.30 climate, 0.35 safety) that produces an overall livability of 70/100 — a strong place to live. On balance, Wollongong suits people who prioritise climate comfort best; weigh it against the disaster profile below before committing.
Natural-disaster risk in Wollongong
Does Wollongong get hurricanes or cyclones?
Storm risk in Wollongong is moderate (3/5), reflecting its tropical-cyclone/severe-storm basin.
FAQ
Is Wollongong a good place to live?
Wollongong scores 70/100 for livability — cost 48, climate 100, safety 66.
Is Wollongong safe?
Safety 66/100 = disaster safety 65 (main risk storms (hurricane/cyclone)) blended with crime safety 70.
What's the climate like in Wollongong?
Warmest-month highs average ~21.8°C and coldest-month lows ~12.4°C (WorldClim climate normals).
How much does it cost to live in Wollongong?
Australia sits at 52/100 on the World Bank price level (US=100) — affordability score 48/100.
See also
All cities in Australia → Best places to retire in Australia → Digital nomad guide to Australia → Natural-disaster risk in Australia → Safest cities from storms (hurricane/cyclone) → Oceanic-climate cities →