Perth vs Sydney

Perth leads Sydney by 1 points on the CIRA Index, 76 to 75. Perth grades better on 5 measures, Sydney on 8; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Perth 76, Sydney 75
• OECD: Perth 73, Sydney 75
• UN Tourism: Perth 79, Sydney 73
• UNDRR: Perth 65, Sydney 71

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Perth 90, Sydney 85
• Economy and jobs: Perth 94, Sydney 94
• Climate and hazards: Perth 50, Sydney 90
• Water and environment: Perth 75, Sydney 75
• Community and housing: Perth 63, Sydney 25
• Access and continuity: Perth 75, Sydney 71

Where Perth is stronger

• Domestic share of nights: 80.9 % of nights by residents of the same country (country figure) (World Economic Forum, TTDI 2026 (data: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research by World Travel & Tourism Council; Travel & Tourism by World Travel & Tourism Council), 2026). At or above 45: grade 4/4.
• Economic diversity: 90.7 % of employment outside accommodation, food, retail and transport (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census of Population and Housing / economy.id, 2021). At or above 80: grade 4/4.
• Water scarcity: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Short-let density: 0.4 short-term rental listings per 100 dwellings (metro figure) (Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) / REIA, Q1 2023). At or below 0.5: grade 4/4.
• Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A written destination crisis plan (Tourism Council WA & Tourism Western Australia, 2023–2024). Grade 2/4.

Where Sydney is stronger

• Largest foreign market: 13.9 % of international arrivals or nights (region figure) (NSW Government / Destination NSW, Tourism Research Australia (IVS), 2025-2026). At or below 15: grade 4/4.
• Unemployment rate: 4.1 % of the labour force (metro figure) (Jobs and Skills Australia / Australian Bureau of Statistics via economy.id, March quarter 2026). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Extreme heat days: 3 days a year at or above 35°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Tropical nights: 28.6 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). Between 10 and 30: grade 3/4.
• Flood hazard: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Wildfire and storm hazard: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Municipal waste per resident: 400 kg per resident per year (metro figure) (NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Local Government Waste Data Survey 2024–25, 2024–25). Between 350 and 450: grade 3/4.
• Tourism intensity: 22.8 visitor nights per resident per year (metro figure) (Destination NSW (Sydney Statistics) & Australian Bureau of Statistics (ERP via economy.id), YE March 2026). Between 20 and 40: grade 1/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• Australia: #4 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• Australia: #4 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Perth in full · Sydney in full

The CIRA Index ranking · City vs city · How the index works · CIRA Studio · Put your city in the pilot