Melbourne at a tipping point: safety and cost pressures erode liveability

Committee for Melbourne

Melbourne’s long-standing reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities is facing increasing pressure, with new research from the Committee for Melbourne and Ipsos revealing a fall in resident satisfaction and rising concerns about safety, cost of living and housing affordability.

The 2025 Living in Melbourne Report - based on a survey of 1,000 residents conducted in July 2025 - paints a picture of a city proud of its identity and lifestyle, but increasingly unsure about its future. The share of residents satisfied with life in Melbourne has fallen, more people believe the city is getting worse, and safety concerns have surged.

Key findings include:

• Concern about crime, violence and anti-social behaviour has jumped 12 percentage points in a year, from 29 to 41 per cent.
• More than a third (35 per cent) believe life in the city has worsened over the past year, compared with just 20 per cent who feel it has improved.
• Resident satisfaction has dropped by four percentage points since 2024, with 77 per cent now saying they are satisfied with life in Melbourne. While most residents (74 per cent) still identify as “Melburnians”, that sense of identity is weakening, with the share of people who don't identify as Melburnians almost doubling in the past year.
• Only a little over half of respondents (52 per cent) felt connected to their local community/ Participation in local activities has softened overall, but club engagement has inched up, while volunteering sits at 26 per cent.
• “Feeling safe” is the single most important attribute when choosing where to live (78 per cent), yet only 46 per cent of residents rate their local area highly for safety. However, only half say they can afford to live in their desired area (50 per cent), while 29per cent say they cannot.
• Cost of living remains the top issue for 54 per cent of residents, with 87 per cent expressing concern. One in three say they are “just about getting by” financially, while one in five are actively struggling. Although similar to last year, these pressures remain entrenched and are now weighing more heavily on perceptions of the city’s future.
• Commute times have increased from 50 to 60 minutes over the past year, reflecting growing affordability and accessibility tensions. Car dependency remains high, with 83 per cent of residents using a private vehicle regularly. Barriers to public transport use are rising, including cost (30 per cent), crowding (30 per cent) and safety (26 per cent).

The report also highlights a central tension shaping Melbourne’s future: residents overwhelmingly support density near transport hubs (57 per cent) and are open to higher density living when it delivers tangible benefits such as affordability (79 per cent), green space (73 per cent) and access to jobs (71 per cent). Yet the aspiration for a traditional home with a backyard remains strong - 59 per cent say it is important and nearly a third consider it essential.

To be attributed to Committee for Melbourne Chief Executive Scott Veenker:

“Melbourne is at a tipping point. Residents remain proud of their city, but growing concerns around cost of living, safety and housing affordability are eroding confidence in our future. The proportion of people who think life here is getting worse has jumped significantly, and there’s a growing number who are unsure about what’s ahead. That uncertainty should concern us all.

“The message is clear: to maintain Melbourne’s global standing and ensure our liveability for future generations, we need urgent action on safety, affordability, housing quality and transport. These are the fundamentals on which everything else rests.

“Encouragingly, Melburnians are pragmatic. They support density and infrastructure reform when it delivers real outcomes. This is an opportunity for government, business and community to work together to protect what makes Melbourne extraordinary and secure our future.”

To be attributed to Ipsos Director Jennifer Brook:

"This year's research reveals important shifts in how Melburnians experience their city. While feeling safe emerges as the most important factor when choosing where to live, less than half of residents rate their local area highly on safety - highlighting a significant area where resident expectations and experiences diverge.

"The longitudinal data provides valuable insights into evolving patterns and point to pressure points that require attention, but also opportunities for targeted improvement and yet the research also reveals resilience amongst residents. They understand trade-offs, support infrastructure investment despite disruption, and are willing to accept density when linked to tangible benefits. The data shows Melburnians aren't asking for the impossible - they want the basics to function: affordable housing within reasonable commuting distance, safe and reliable transport, and genuine community connection. The pathway forward is clear in the numbers - deliver on these fundamentals and residents will continue to support the evolution Melbourne needs."

Mikkayla Mossop - 0412 464 897