How much do houses cost now in Australia? (2026)

Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Australia Property Pack

Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Australia Property Pack

How much do houses cost in Australia as of 2026?

What's the median and average house price in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the estimated median house price in Australia sits at around A$1.0 million (roughly US$650,000 or €600,000), while the average house price is higher at approximately A$1.15 million (about US$750,000 or €690,000).

The typical price range covering roughly 80% of house sales in Australia spans from about A$600,000 to A$1.8 million (US$390,000 to US$1.17 million, or €360,000 to €1.08 million), though this varies significantly between cities and regions.

The gap between Australia's median and average house prices exists because expensive markets like Sydney and premium coastal suburbs pull the average upward, meaning the "typical" buyer actually pays less than the average suggests.

At the median price of A$1.0 million in Australia, a buyer can realistically expect a 3-bedroom detached house in a middle-ring suburb of Brisbane, Perth, or Adelaide, or an outer-suburban family home in Sydney or Melbourne.

What's the cheapest livable house budget in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the minimum budget for a livable house in Australia ranges from about A$450,000 to A$650,000 (US$290,000 to US$420,000, or €270,000 to €390,000) in regional areas, and A$650,000 to A$850,000 (US$420,000 to US$550,000, or €390,000 to €510,000) within commuting distance of a capital city.

At this entry-level price point in Australia, "livable" typically means an older house that may need cosmetic updates like fresh paint or new flooring, but has functional plumbing, electrical systems, and a weatherproof roof.

These cheapest livable houses in Australia are usually found in outer growth corridors like Melton and Werribee (Melbourne), Elizabeth North (Adelaide), Woodridge and Goodna (Brisbane), and Armadale (Perth), as well as smaller regional towns with limited job markets.

Wondering what you can get? We cover all the buying opportunities at different budget levels in Australia here.

How much do 2 and 3-bedroom houses cost in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, a 2-bedroom house in Australia typically costs around A$800,000 (US$520,000 or €480,000), while a 3-bedroom house sits closer to the national median at about A$1.0 million (US$650,000 or €600,000).

The realistic price range for a 2-bedroom house in Australia spans from A$650,000 to A$1.1 million (US$420,000 to US$715,000, or €390,000 to €660,000), depending heavily on location and condition.

For a 3-bedroom house in Australia, buyers should expect a range of A$800,000 to A$1.4 million (US$520,000 to US$910,000, or €480,000 to €840,000), with the wide spread reflecting differences between regional towns and major city suburbs.

The typical price premium when moving from a 2-bedroom to a 3-bedroom house in Australia is around 20% to 25%, which reflects both the extra space and the fact that 3-bedroom homes appeal to the larger family buyer pool.

How much do 4-bedroom houses cost in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, a 4-bedroom house in Australia typically costs around A$1.25 million (US$810,000 or €750,000), representing the standard family home format in most suburban markets.

For a 5-bedroom house in Australia, the realistic price range runs from A$1.2 million to A$2.6 million (US$780,000 to US$1.69 million, or €720,000 to €1.56 million), with much of the variation driven by land size and suburb prestige.

A 6-bedroom house in Australia typically falls within A$1.5 million to A$3.5 million or more (US$975,000 to US$2.3 million+, or €900,000 to €2.1 million+), as these larger properties are often found in premium suburbs with bigger blocks.

Please note that we give much more detailed data in our pack about the property market in Australia.

How much do new-build houses cost in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, a new-build house in Australia typically costs around A$1.05 million to A$1.12 million (US$680,000 to US$730,000, or €630,000 to €670,000) for a property comparable to the national median, though house-and-land packages in growth areas can vary widely.

New-build houses in Australia currently carry a premium of about 5% to 12% compared to older resale houses of similar size and location, driven by elevated construction costs for materials and labour that continued rising through late 2025.

How much do houses with land cost in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, a standard suburban house on a regular lot in Australia costs around A$1.0 million (US$650,000 or €600,000), while a house with a larger-than-average block in metro fringe or lifestyle suburbs typically runs 10% to 30% higher, often A$1.1 million to A$1.3 million (US$715,000 to US$845,000, or €660,000 to €780,000).

In Australia, a "house with land" typically refers to properties with blocks exceeding the standard 450 to 600 square metres, including lifestyle lots of 1,000+ square metres and acreage properties starting from around 4,000 square metres (1 acre).

Where are houses cheapest and most expensive in Australia as of 2026?

Which neighborhoods have the lowest house prices in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the neighborhoods with the lowest house prices in Australia include Tregear and Lethbridge Park in Sydney's outer west, Elizabeth North and Elizabeth Downs in Adelaide's north, Woodridge and Kingston in Brisbane's Logan corridor, and Armadale in Perth's southeast.

In these cheapest neighborhoods, house prices in Australia typically range from A$400,000 to A$650,000 (US$260,000 to US$420,000, or €240,000 to €390,000), sitting well below the national median.

These neighborhoods have the lowest house prices in Australia primarily because they combine long commute times to major employment centres with limited local amenities and, in some cases, higher concentrations of public housing that affect buyer perception.

Which neighborhoods have the highest house prices in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods with the highest house prices in Australia are Point Piper, Bellevue Hill, and Vaucluse in Sydney's eastern suburbs, along with Toorak in Melbourne, where median house prices regularly exceed A$5 million.

In these most expensive neighborhoods, house prices in Australia typically range from A$4 million to A$15 million or more (US$2.6 million to US$9.75 million+, or €2.4 million to €9 million+), with trophy properties occasionally trading above A$50 million.

These neighborhoods command the highest house prices in Australia because they combine irreplaceable harbourfront or bayside positions with heritage streetscapes, mature gardens, and proximity to elite private schools and yacht clubs.

Buyers in these premium Australian neighborhoods are typically successful business owners, senior executives, and high-net-worth families who prioritise privacy, prestige, and generational wealth preservation over value-for-money metrics.

How much do houses cost near the city center in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, houses near city centers in Australia (such as Surry Hills and Paddington in Sydney, or Fitzroy and Carlton in Melbourne) typically cost A$1.5 million to A$3 million or more (US$975,000 to US$1.95 million+, or €900,000 to €1.8 million+), while inner Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide tend to range from A$900,000 to A$1.8 million.

Houses near major transit hubs in Australia, such as stations on Sydney's Metro or Melbourne's suburban rail network, often command a 5% to 15% premium over similar properties further from stations, reflecting the value buyers place on commute time.

Houses near top-rated schools in Australia, including Sydney Boys High, Melbourne High School, and Brisbane State High School for public options, or Scotch College and Sydney Grammar for private schools, typically sit 5% to 20% above nearby non-catchment homes.

Houses in expat-popular areas of Australia, such as Sydney's eastern suburbs (Bondi, Coogee), Melbourne's bayside (Brighton), and Brisbane's inner river suburbs (New Farm, Bulimba), typically range from A$1.5 million to A$3.5 million (US$975,000 to US$2.3 million, or €900,000 to €2.1 million).

We actually have an updated expat guide for Australia here.

How much do houses cost in the suburbs in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, houses in the suburbs of Australia typically cost A$700,000 to A$1.2 million (US$455,000 to US$780,000, or €420,000 to €720,000) in middle-ring areas, and A$550,000 to A$900,000 (US$360,000 to US$585,000, or €330,000 to €540,000) in outer-ring growth corridors.

The typical price difference between suburban houses and city-center houses in Australia ranges from 30% to 50% lower in the suburbs, meaning a buyer can often get a larger family home with a backyard for significantly less than a smaller inner-city terrace.

The most popular suburbs for house buyers in Australia include family-friendly middle-ring areas like Castle Hill and Kellyville in Sydney, Glen Waverley and Doncaster in Melbourne, and Carindale and Mount Gravatt in Brisbane, which balance space, schools, and commute times.

What areas in Australia are improving and still affordable as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the top areas in Australia that are improving and still affordable for house buyers include parts of Sydney's South-West growth belt near new Metro stations, Melbourne's western corridors like Wyndham, Brisbane's Logan and Ipswich areas, and selected northern suburbs of Adelaide.

In these improving yet affordable areas of Australia, house prices currently range from A$550,000 to A$850,000 (US$360,000 to US$550,000, or €330,000 to €510,000), offering entry points below the national median.

The main sign of improvement driving buyer interest in these Australian areas is infrastructure investment, particularly new rail and Metro extensions, hospital expansions, and major road upgrades that are cutting commute times and attracting retail and employment hubs.

By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Australia.

What extra costs should I budget for a house in Australia right now?

What are typical buyer closing costs for houses in Australia right now?

Typical total closing costs for house buyers in Australia range from about 4% to 7% of the purchase price for Australian residents, and can reach 10% to 15% or more for foreign buyers due to additional surcharges.

The main closing cost categories for house buyers in Australia include stamp duty (often 3% to 5% of the price), conveyancing or legal fees (A$1,500 to A$4,000 or US$975 to US$2,600), building and pest inspections (A$500 to A$1,200 or US$325 to US$780), and lender fees if using a mortgage.

Stamp duty (also called transfer duty) is usually the largest single closing cost for house buyers in Australia, and for foreign buyers, state-based surcharges in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland can add several additional percentage points on top.

We cover all these costs and what are the strategies to minimize them in our property pack about Australia.

How much are property taxes on houses in Australia right now?

The typical annual property tax for a house in Australia comes primarily through council rates, which generally range from A$1,500 to A$3,500 per year (US$975 to US$2,275, or €900 to €2,100) depending on the property's value and local council area.

Property tax in Australia is calculated mainly through council rates, which are set by local governments based on property valuations, with some states also applying land tax to investment properties or second homes rather than primary residences.

If you want to go into more details, we also have a page with all the property taxes and fees in Australia.

How much is home insurance for a house in Australia right now?

The typical annual home insurance cost for a house in Australia ranges from A$2,000 to A$3,500 or more (US$1,300 to US$2,275+, or €1,200 to €2,100+), with premiums varying significantly by location, rebuild cost, and risk factors.

The main factors affecting home insurance premiums for houses in Australia include flood and bushfire risk zones, the property's postcode, rebuild value, chosen excess level, and recent claims history, with catastrophe-prone areas often paying substantially more.

What are typical utility costs for a house in Australia right now?

The typical total monthly utility cost for a house in Australia ranges from A$300 to A$500 (US$195 to US$325, or €180 to €300), covering electricity, gas (where applicable), water, and internet.

The breakdown of main utility costs for houses in Australia includes electricity at roughly A$160 to A$225 per month, water at A$50 to A$80 per month, gas (if connected) at A$40 to A$80 per month, and internet at A$60 to A$100 per month, though solar panels can significantly reduce electricity bills.

What are common hidden costs when buying a house in Australia right now?

The estimated total of common hidden costs that house buyers in Australia often overlook ranges from A$5,000 to A$20,000 or more (US$3,250 to US$13,000+, or €3,000 to €12,000+), depending on the property's age and condition.

Typical inspection fees that buyers should expect when purchasing a house in Australia include building inspections at A$400 to A$700, pest inspections at A$250 to A$400, and combined reports at A$500 to A$1,200 (US$325 to US$780, or €300 to €720), with larger or older homes costing more.

Other common hidden costs beyond inspections when buying a house in Australia include immediate repairs (roof, plumbing, electrical), moving expenses, utility connection fees, council and water rate adjustments at settlement, and mortgage establishment fees.

The hidden cost that tends to surprise first-time house buyers the most in Australia is the post-purchase repair bill, as older Australian homes often have concealed issues like outdated wiring, failing hot water systems, or termite damage that only become apparent after moving in.

You will find here the list of classic mistakes people make when buying a property in Australia.

What do locals and expats say about the market in Australia as of 2026?

Do people think houses are overpriced in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, the general sentiment among both locals and expats is that houses in Australia are overpriced relative to incomes, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne where prices have outpaced wage growth for over a decade.

Houses in Australia typically stay on the market for around 27 days before selling, according to recent data, though this varies by city with Perth often selling faster and Canberra taking longer.

The main reason locals and expats give for feeling house prices in Australia are too high is that even dual-income professional households struggle to afford a family home within reasonable commuting distance of major employment centres without stretching to uncomfortable debt levels.

Compared to one or two years ago, sentiment on house prices in Australia has shifted from acceptance of rapid growth to growing frustration, as the brief hope that rising interest rates might bring prices down has largely given way to resignation that affordability remains out of reach for many.

You'll find our latest property market analysis about Australia here.

Are prices still rising or cooling in Australia as of 2026?

As of early 2026, house prices in Australia are still rising overall but at a softer pace than the strong gains seen through most of 2025, with momentum becoming more uneven across different cities and price segments.

The estimated year-over-year house price change in Australia is around 4% to 6% nationally, down from the double-digit growth rates seen in some periods of 2024 and early 2025.

Experts and locals expect house prices in Australia over the next 6 to 12 months to continue growing modestly in affordable segments and cities like Perth and Adelaide, while Sydney and Melbourne's higher-priced markets may see flatter or slightly softer conditions as affordability constraints and interest rate sensitivity weigh on buyers.

Finally, please note that we have covered property price trends and forecasts for Australia here.

What sources have we used to write this blog article?

Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Australia, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.

We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.