Life by the coast is looking pretty good for residents in Warrnambool after a new analysis named Warrnambool and the South West as Victoria’s most liveable region.
The ranking by insurer iSelect assessed communities across the state on factors including employment, housing affordability, safety, work-life balance, healthcare access and social connectedness. Warrnambool came out on top thanks to a combination of low unemployment, affordable housing and a strong sense of belonging among locals.
One standout statistic was the region’s volunteering rate, the highest in Victoria at 22.4 per cent, highlighting the strong community spirit across the South West.
“It’s great to see Warrnambool and the region feature prominently on a liveability index,” Deputy Mayor Cr Matt Walsh said.
“Residents would already know how great the city and region are and this analysis gives a little objectivity to the notion of what makes a place liveable.
“Warrnambool’s liveability no doubt makes it a great choice for people seeking a seachange and for employers seeking to attract workers.
“We’re also comfortably in the top 10 most liveable places in Australia, coming in at number six.”
The recognition adds to a growing list of accolades for the coastal city, which was also named Victoria’s Top Tourism Town in the 2025 Victorian Tourism Industry Council awards.
“It’s a thrill to see Warrnambool acknowledged as both a great place to live and a super place to visit,” Cr Walsh said.
While Warrnambool led the state rankings, Melbourne’s Outer East came in second thanks to high levels of belonging and access to green space. Melbourne’s Inner East ranked third, boosted by Victoria’s highest life expectancy at 86.3 years.
The report found Victoria’s strongest performing regions shared common strengths including affordability, community connection and easy access to parks, coastlines and outdoor spaces.
