10 Popular Student Suburbs To Live in Perth

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, with a population of 2 million people. According to a 2023 survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Perth secures the 12 spot as the most livable city in the world.

Being the sunniest city in Australia, there’s always a side to living in Perth. It is a clean, safe, and prosperous city in Australia. Whether it’s the idyllic climate, high quality of life, education institutions, beaches, nature, park spaces, safe student areas, excellent public transportation, or just the friendly local smiles is enough to win many of the student’s hearts.

Is Perth a student city?

Perth is a student city as it appeals to students of its universities and offers a high quality of life. According to QS Rankings, Perth ranks 36th in Australia’s Best Student Cities index.

This multicultural and cosmopolitan city has diverse students living in Perth, with over 45,000 international students. The largest student population is Indian (18%), followed by China (14%) and Malaysia (5%). It is home to 4 universities featured in QS World University Rankings: University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University, and Edith Cowan University.

Is Perth expensive for international students?

Perth is quite an affordable city for international students compared to Sydney or Melbourne. The cost of living is A$1,841.8/month for an international student in Perth. One of the most economical options is looking for the cheapest and best suburbs in Perth to stay near the university. Off-campus student accommodation in Perth is affordable with a starting price of A$236/week onward.

What are the best suburbs and student homes in Perth?

These are the list of the best suburbs in Perth and are home to or near Perth universities. These student areas in Perth offer a safe atmosphere with good housing options, high quality of life, social amenities, and public transportation. Look at the best student suburbs in Perth, and remember to consider the factors based on your personal preferences.

Crawley

Distance from CBD – 4.8 km.
Universities in and around the area – University of Western Australia,Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University

Crawley is the capital of Western Australia and the best suburb in Perth. It is a vibrant and affluent neighborhood attracting a mixed range of populations. This neighborhood has a thriving economy and excellent transportation links, making it a little expensive. But, it is a great area as it is safe, friendly, and secure for residents. It is also a popular spot for watching the sunset. You can however find affordable  off-campus accommodation in Crawley if you are studying at the University of Western Australia (UWA), Murdoch University, and UWA Business School. Campus Perth is one of the  most popular student accommodations in Crawley.

Claremont

Distance from CBD – 7 km 
Universities in and around the area – University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University

Claremont is a student-friendly area to stay in Perth as it is home to the University of Western Australia. The student campus makes it a thriving and vibrant atmosphere to live in. This place offers residents many amenities like eating, shopping, and recreational options. The area is home to a mixed population of residents, making it a good suburb in perth. There’s also good public transportation to travel from student housing in Perth to the UWV and other parts of Perth. The closest student housing apartment in Perth near UWV is Nesuto Mounts Bay Perth Apartment Hotel Perth.

Murdoch

Distance from CBD – 7km
Universities in and around the area – University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University

Murdoch is one of the good suburbs in Perth in Melville, Western Australia. With the university located in this area, it is evident that it is densely populated with students. It is a thriving area with many social amenities such as cafes, shops, bars, etc., and many transportation services are available, even if you want to travel to the city center or anywhere in Perth. There’s also a mixed range of student accommodation, and the closest to the campus is Murdoch University Village Perth.

Bentley

Distance from CBD – 8.5 Km
Universities in and around the area – Curtin University, The University of Western Australia (UWA), Edith Cowan University (Joondalup campus) 

Bentley is the southern suburb of Perth in Western Australia. It has a small population with many student residents. Most of the people in this area are from the East or East Asian. It is home to the campuses of Curtin University, Morling College, South Metropolitan TAFE, Canning College, and Technology Park. Bentley is quiet and considered to be one of the best suburbs in Perth. If you are looking for reasonable and affordable students living in Perth, the UniLodge Guild House Perth is the closest to the campus.

Northbridge

Distance from CBD – 600 meters
Universities in and around the area – The University of Western Australia and Curtin University

North Bridge is five minutes from the city and a popular student area. There’s a huge student population, so it makes the atmosphere safe, vibrant, and relaxed. It’s an attractive area for students with a young crowd because it is close to two of the top universities in Perth. It is a cultural hub,the best suburbs in Perth and home to the State Theater of Western Australia, WA Museum Boola Bardip, and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. This is the Chinatown of Perth and offers excellent food, shops, arts, and entertainment. Finding off-campus student accommodation in Perth is relatively easy, especially in this area.

West Perth

Distance from CBD – 2Km
Universities in and around the area – The University of Western Australia and Curtin University

In 2018, the international analytics company SAS named Perth the best place to live globally. West Perth is a good suburb for students studying in universities. However, it is still considered a student area in Perth, as most students also live here. It is a suburb in the inner mixed zone with a mixed-crowd population. West Perth is also known as a business area. Finding an affordable student home in Perth is easy.

Fremantle 

Distance from CBD – 19Km 
Universities in and around the area – Murdoch University 

Fremantle is a port city in Western Australia and features great historical landmarks. It’s the best suburb in Perth filled with color and life; whether it’s soaking in the sun’s rays by the beach, taking a stroll along the Harbour, or just enjoying the city’s charm, Fremantle attracts a good student population here. The University of Notre Dame Perth – Fremantle Campus is in this area. If you are looking for an off-campus student housing apartment in Perth, Unilodge Erica Underwood House Perth is one of the closest affordable student accommodations near the University of Notre Dame Perth.

Balga

Distance from CBD – 13 kilometers
Universities in and around the area – The University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University, Edith Cowan University (Joondalup campus) 

Balga is a good suburb to live in as it has growing families residing in the area. Though it is a bit far from the city center, it offers many amenities for safety and comfort for the residents. A wide range of properties are detached houses, though groups and flats are scattered throughout the neighborhood. Since it is in East Perth, it is one of the safest cities in Australia (Western Australia Police Force data). The North Metropolitan TAF is also located in this area, with the most affordable student home in perth being Nesuto Mounts Bay Perth Apartment Hotel Perth.

Joondalup

Distance from CBD – 26 Km 
Universities in and around the area – Edith Cowan University (Joondalup campus), Murdoch University 

Joondalup is the main hub of Perth’s northern suburbs, and it’s not hard to see why people move to this area! It is surrounded by many dining and shopping options with natural surroundings like beaches, parks, and lakes, making it an attractive place to stay in Perth. Joondalup is also home to AQWA, Western Australia’s underwater aquarium and many adventurous activities. If you are studying at Edith Cowan University (ECU) – Joondalup Campus, you can find many student accommodations in Perth. ECU Village Joondalup Perth is one of the nearest student accommodations to the university.

Swanbourne

Distance from CBD – 4.8 KM
Universities in and around the area – The University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University

Swanbourne is a middle-class residential area located in Western Australia. It was established in the 19th century and has had a considerable settlement ever since. It offers a coastal lifestyle and a high quality of life. This area has a solid community-building tie, making it a safe, warm,friendly and best suburbs perth. There are universities in and about the area, making it an ideal student area in Perth. With its excellent amenities, several recreational facilities, beaches, and a mix of housing options, it is one of the good suburbs in Perth.

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