Tasmania is widely considered the best place to live in Australia as climate change worsens, due to its cooler climate, cleaner air, and lower risk from extreme heat and sea-level rise, with many Australians already relocating there; other potential areas include cooler parts of Victoria and South Australia, while major coastal cities face significant risks.
The survey also asked respondents which state or territory will be the safest place to live as the climate changes. Tasmania is the clear winner, with two in five Australians (41 per cent) choosing it, with other states falling well behind.
For great weather in Australia, Perth is often cited for its sunny Mediterranean climate, while the Queensland/NSW coast (Gladstone to Port Macquarie) offers mild, swim-friendly conditions year-round with fewer extremes, and Tasmania provides four distinct seasons without intense humidity for those who prefer cooler, fresh air. The "best" depends on your preference for sun, mildness, or distinct seasons, but avoid tropical north Queensland in summer due to extreme heat and humidity.
Southern and eastern Australia are projected to experience harsher fire weather (high confidence). Tropical cyclones may occur less often, but become more intense (medium confidence). Projected changes will be superimposed on significant natural climate variability.
It's official! Adelaide is the happiest city in Australia, and one of the happiest in the world! 🙌 We ranked #29 globally in the Happy City Index across six categories - environment, economy, mobility, citizen wellbeing, health and governance.
Hobart, Tasmania, is widely recognized as the cheapest major city, but smaller regional towns in Queensland and South Australia can offer even lower living costs.
Finland is in the top position in the world happiness report in 2022. Followed by Denmark and Iceland in second and third place.
Australia is unlikely to become entirely uninhabitable soon, but climate change is making large areas, especially in the north, extremely hot and potentially unlivable under higher warming scenarios (around 3°C), straining infrastructure, impacting agriculture, and displacing vulnerable populations, while coastal areas face rising sea levels and severe erosion, making parts of cities and towns uninsurable and at risk. The primary threats are extreme heatwaves, bushfires, droughts, floods, and sea-level rise, disproportionately affecting regional, Indigenous, and disadvantaged communities, forcing significant adaptation and threatening the nation's food security.
The 12 Best Cities To Live In With Climate Change
Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast: The coastal suburbs that could disappear. Thousands of Australian homes, including those in new housing developments, are at significant risk from coastal erosion and rising sea levels, with some potentially becoming uninhabitable within decades.
The Northeast is one of the safest long-term regions in North America for climate adaptation. Abundant freshwater from the Great Lakes and rivers, moderate seasonal weather, and proactive state policies make it ideal for sustainable living.
Not only did Canberra top the global list, but it also ranked as the highest Australian city across four of the six core quality-of-life indicators: income per person, income equality, housing expenditure and life expectancy. Discover more about what makes Canberra stand out.
1. San Diego, California. San Diego is the poster child for pleasant weather year-round. This Southern California city enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with average high temperatures of 65 to 77 F (18 to 25 C) throughout the year.
For great weather in Australia, Perth is often cited for its sunny Mediterranean climate, while the Queensland/NSW coast (Gladstone to Port Macquarie) offers mild, swim-friendly conditions year-round with fewer extremes, and Tasmania provides four distinct seasons without intense humidity for those who prefer cooler, fresh air. The "best" depends on your preference for sun, mildness, or distinct seasons, but avoid tropical north Queensland in summer due to extreme heat and humidity.
The Northeast is home to the only three states with Climate Change Risk Index scores lower than 100 (Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts).
Australia in 2050 will likely be hotter, with more extreme weather like intense heatwaves, bushfires, and floods, impacting over 1.5 million people in vulnerable coastal areas due to rising sea levels, while also experiencing significant population growth to nearly 38 million and deeper integration of technology in daily life, transforming cities, homes, and work. Major environmental challenges include severe threats to coral reefs from warming and acidifying oceans, increased bushfire risk, and changes to plant life, necessitating major adaptation in infrastructure and lifestyles.
At number one is Norway, with the highest ND-GAI ranking. The country is one of the least fossil-fuel-dependent nations on the planet, already generating more than 95 per cent of its electricity using renewable hydropower alone, and is experiencing a rapid growth in electric vehicles and construction machinery.
Vermont is the best state for climate change thanks to its climate profile that, for the most part, avoids extremes. Since 19531, it has only experienced 45 federally declared natural disasters and, according to our analysis, is rated the least vulnerable state for climate risk.
Which countries are most threatened by and vulnerable to climate change?
Tasmania's southern location makes it less likely to endure the harshest climate change effects, such as extended heatwaves or tropical storms that typically affect northern Australia.
Cons:
Australia experienced its fourth-warmest year on record in 2025, with average temperatures up 1.23C nationally, according to the BoM. The climate crisis has increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and bushfires.
The Top 7 Happiest Countries in the World for 2024
10 unhappiest countries in the world
Not because you only experience happiness, but because you choose to see challenges as opportunities. [Tweet “Seek silver linings & you may find yourself being the happiest person you know. “] Being the happiest person you know can sometimes feel lonely – especially during the holidays.