Melbourne vs Perth

Perth leads Melbourne by 6 points on the TRAIL Index, 76 to 70. Melbourne grades better on 6 measures, Perth on 7; the same 37 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• TRAIL Index: Melbourne 70, Perth 76
• OECD: Melbourne 69, Perth 73
• UN Tourism: Melbourne 71, Perth 79
• UNDRR: Melbourne 69, Perth 65

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Melbourne 70, Perth 90
• Economy and jobs: Melbourne 100, Perth 94
• Climate and hazards: Melbourne 60, Perth 50
• Water and environment: Melbourne 63, Perth 75
• Community and housing: Melbourne 25, Perth 63
• Access and continuity: Melbourne 88, Perth 75

Where Melbourne is stronger

• Unemployment rate: 4.1 % of the labour force (Australian Bureau of Statistics & Department of Employment (via economy.id Melbourne), March 2026). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Extreme heat days: 6.8 days a year at or above 35°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). Between 5 and 15: grade 3/4.
• Tropical nights: 2.8 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 10: grade 4/4.
• Rent growth: 5 % change in rents over the last 12 months (metro figure) (OpenAgent / Cotality (CoreLogic), year to August 2026). Between 3 and 6: grade 3/4.
• Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A plan with named owners, operators and recovery funding (Victoria State Government, Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, 'Visitor Economy Recovery and Reform Plan', 2021–2024). Grade 3/4.
• Dedicated tourism funding: A dedicated source partly ring-fenced for residents, infrastructure or sustainability (State Revenue Office Victoria, Short Stay Levy Act 2024, 2025). Grade 3/4.

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.
• Largest foreign market: 17 % of international arrivals or nights (region figure) (Tourism Western Australia & WestCycle, Destination Perth Tourism Market Analysis / Tourism WA Key Markets, YE Dec 2024). Between 15 and 20: grade 3/4.
• Hotel bed or room occupancy: 81.2 % average annual occupancy (Western Australian Government, New study highlights strong demand for Perth hotel market, 2025). At or above 75: grade 4/4.
• Flood hazard: medium (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 2/4.
• Water scarcity: very low (region figure) (World Bank GFDRR ThinkHazard, current (retrieved 2026)). Grade 4/4.
• Green space: 22 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (metro figure) (Western Australian Government, New data reveals steady tree canopy cover across Perth and Peel, 2024). Between 20 and 30: grade 2/4.
• 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.

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

Melbourne in full · Perth in full

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