Adelaide shines as region ranks 2nd most liveable in Australia

If you’re an Adelaide local, it’s time to celebrate! A recent study from iSelect has ranked Adelaide’s Central & Hills region as the second most liveable area in Australia, putting us on the national map for lifestyle, wellbeing and community connection.

Where you live can really form and affect everything from your daily routine to your long-term health and happiness, and according to this new research, South Australians are doing pretty well on that front.

The report looked at regions across ten key factors, including employment, housing affordability, health outcomes, access to healthcare, safety, environment, and social connection, to determine where Australians are living their best lives.

Coming in just behind Sutherland in New South Wales, Adelaide’s Central & Hills region scored an impressive 68.78 out of 100, making it the highest-ranked area outside of Sydney.

What sets the region apart is its lifestyle advantage. It recorded the highest score in the country for work-life balance at 78.9 out of 100, alongside a mental wellbeing score of 99.2, suggesting locals are not only living well, but feeling good too.

There’s also an incredibly strong sense of community in the region. More than 21 per cent of residents reported volunteering, reflecting a high level of social connection and engagement that continues to define life in the Hills and surrounding areas.

“This recognition reflects the character of the Adelaide Hills,” shared Mayor Nathan Daniell. “It’s a region where natural amenity, local services, and a strong sense of community come together in a way that’s hard to replicate. We’re uniquely positioned being close to the city yet immersed in nature which supports both the lifestyle and wellbeing of our residents. It’s something our community values deeply, and Council remains committed to preserving what makes the Hills such a special place to live.”

Despite its high ranking, the region recorded the lowest score for green and blue space among the top five areas nationally, alongside the highest crime rate within that group. While these factors highlight areas for improvement, they haven’t outweighed the region’s overall lifestyle strengths.

Looking more broadly across the state, South Australia’s liveability story is one of contrasts.

The South East and Barossa – Yorke – Mid North regions also performed strongly, particularly when it came to community connection. Both regions recorded some of the highest volunteering rates in the country, with Barossa – Yorke – Mid North also achieving the highest sense of belonging score in the state.

Areas like the Outback presented a very different picture. While offering the strongest housing affordability in South Australia, it also recorded the highest crime rate and the lowest life expectancy.

The overall findings suggest that liveability in South Australia is less about infrastructure and more about lifestyle. Strong community ties, balanced living, and access to services appear to be the key ingredients that are driving the state’s top-performing regions.

For locals, this is a reminder of what makes our part of the world so special. Adelaide’s Central & Hills region is proving that you don’t have to look far to find one of the best places to live in the country.