Sydney is routinely ranked among the world's most liveable cities. But which are the most liveable parts of Sydney?

A new Urban Living Index attempts to answer that question. It ranked neighbourhoods to the immediate north and south of Sydney's central business district - Crows Nest-Waverton and Surry Hills – as the city's most liveable.

A swag of inner-city areas once known for their industrial, working-class character also rated very well. Pyrmont-Ultimo, Darlinghurst, Waterloo, Redfern and Erskineville all figured in the top 20.

The new index, which ranks the liveability of 228 suburban areas in Sydney, was produced by social research firm McCrindle for the Urban Taskforce Australia, an industry group representing property developers.