Perth vs. Kaohsiung: Detailed 2026 Comparison

This report provides a detailed comparison between Perth, Australia, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, focusing on cost of living and quality of life metrics for the year 2026. Perth boasts a significantly higher GDP per capita ($70,000) compared to Kaohsiung ($47,800), reflecting a larger and more developed economy. However, this economic strength comes with a substantially higher cost of living, particularly concerning property. Perth's property prices are among the highest globally, while Kaohsiung offers significantly more affordable housing options. Quality of life indicators generally favor Perth, with higher scores for safety, healthcare, environmental quality, and lower crime rates. Conversely, Kaohsiung presents a lower cost of living overall, potentially making it more accessible for individuals and families with lower incomes or those prioritizing savings.

Perth demonstrates a robust and significantly larger economy, with a GDP per capita nearly 50% higher than Kaohsiung's. This economic strength translates into higher average salaries, with Perth's average net salary being almost three times that of Kaohsiung ($4,385 vs. $1,460). The city's population is also larger (over 2 million vs. Kaohsiung's approximately 2.8 million, though the latter has a much slower population growth rate of 0.03% compared to Perth's 1.58%). The housing market presents a stark contrast: Perth's property prices are exceptionally high, with the price per square meter for both city-center and outside-center apartments being over three times higher than Kaohsiung's. Furthermore, the annual mortgage interest rate in Perth is higher (6.84%) than in Kaohsiung (2