Australia · Visit or make it home

Wollongong

Wollongong is a city in Australia. Compare its dated local facts and monthly climate before choosing a time to visit or planning a move. Housing references and national earnings describe different populations; verify the costs of your own home and job before deciding.

Wollongong — Crown Street, Wollongong 20220619110018 (2)

Get to know Wollongong

A sense of the place

Wollongong is a city in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It lies on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, 85 kilometres south of Sydney. Wollongong had an estimated urban population of 302,739 at June 2018, making it the third-largest city in New South Wales after Sydney and Newcastle and the tenth-largest city in Australia by population. The city's current Lord Mayor is Tania Brown who was elected in 2024. The Wollongong area extends from Helensburgh in the north to Windang and Yallah in the south. Geologically, the city is in the south-eastern part of the Sydney basin, which extends from Newcastle to Nowra. Wollongong is noted for its heavy industry, its port activity and the quality of its physical setting, occupying a narrow coastal plain between an almost continuous chain of surf beaches and the cliffline of the rainforest-covered Illawarra escarpment. It has two cathedrals, churches of many denominations and the Nan Tien Temple. Wollongong has a very long history of coal mining and industry.

Weather through the year

When to visit Wollongong

Temperature

January has the warmest monthly average (21.9°C); July is coolest (9.4°C). These averages include nights, so daytime highs can be considerably warmer.

Rain and outdoor plans

February averages about 142 mm of rain, compared with 45 mm in September. For an outdoor-focused trip, compare the drier months before choosing dates.

Planning time outdoors

January, April, May, September, October, November, December combine monthly mean temperatures of 12–22°C with less than 100 mm of precipitation. These are useful dates to compare for a walking-focused visit; check daylight, opening times and the forecast for your actual trip.

Monthly climate averages — 2001-2020
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average °C21.920.618.816.012.710.39.410.213.115.818.319.9
Rain, mm80142105715595535845658472

Source: NASA POWER climatology · Reference period: 2001-2020. Long-term averages for the surrounding grid area. Conditions vary within a city; monthly averages are neither a forecast nor a guarantee of dry days.

Places around Wollongong

Build your shortlist for a day out. Distances are straight-line from the city centre; check routes and opening times before setting off.

Average rent in Wollongong

What is the average rent in Wollongong?

A verified average rent for Wollongong is not available in the evidence shown here. Do not substitute another city’s price or a national estimate. Compare current properties for the same home size and neighbourhood, then include utilities, deposits and daily transport when building a budget for a visit or move.

Average salary in Wollongong

What is the average salary in Wollongong?

4,436.2 USD/month is the gross employee-pay reference dated 2021. It describes Australia, not average salary in Wollongong. Gross pay is before deductions; household earnings depend on the household model. Use a current offer and your own tax circumstances for take-home budgeting.

Source: ILO — Average gross monthly earnings of employees · Reference date: 2021 · CC BY 4.0 (ILO datasets published from 3 May 2023)

How should I compare Wollongong with another city?

Compare the same dated measures for both cities, keeping local observations separate from national context. Start with rent, your expected income and the journeys you will make regularly. Then adjust the comparison weights to your priorities. Missing measurements do not prove an advantage; verify decisive costs and services with current local sources.

  1. Choose a comparison below and read its sources and dates.
  2. Set priorities for housing, work, transport and climate.
  3. Check current listings and your own income before making a decision.

Data sources, licences & reuse terms

Plan your stay

Budget and everyday decisions

A holiday budget

Compare accommodation for your actual dates in Wollongong, then add the journey here, airport transfers, meals and the activities you want. A cheap room outside the centre can cost more overall if it adds daily transport.

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A relocation budget

Use the planner below to compare housing, daily spending and the cost of your move.

Include the deposit, utilities, internet and commuting. Compare those costs with your own expected take-home income.

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Your relocation planning budget

Build a monthly budget for Wollongong in euros. Totals are calculated from the amounts below, not live quotes. Enter a housing amount for your chosen home.

Monthly total: Enter all five monthly amounts

First month including move: Enter your moving costs too

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Compare the details

Wollongong at a glance

Australia: the wider context

These are country-level figures, not measurements of Wollongong. Use them to compare national conditions; neighbourhoods, salaries and individual services can differ substantially.

See 10 national indicators

Other places to compare in Australia

What to check before deciding

Comparable figures are not available here for: Seismic hazard (ordinal 0 very-low to 4 high); Annual sunshine hours; Distance to nearest sea / coastline; Distance to nearest mountains (>1500 m); Public-transport provision (ordinal proxy); Monthly rent, 1-bedroom, city centre. Check the items that affect your plans with local providers. They are not treated as zero or as an advantage in recommendations.

Compare Wollongong with other cities

Read the source dates, choose your priorities and keep unavailable values separate from costs you know.

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