Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Australia Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Perth's property market is included in our pack
Everything you need to know about apartment prices in Perth in 2026, from median prices to closing costs to monthly expenses, all in one place.
We break down the real numbers for studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, plus what foreign buyers actually pay on top.
We constantly update this blog post to keep the data fresh and relevant for buyers exploring the Perth property market.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Perth.
Insights
- The median apartment price in Perth in January 2026 sits around A$595,000, which is roughly 25% lower than Sydney's median unit price, making Perth one of Australia's most affordable capital city markets for apartment buyers.
- Foreign buyers in Perth face total closing costs between 12% and 18% of the purchase price in 2026, compared to just 4% to 8% for local buyers, mainly because of the 7% foreign buyer duty surcharge.
- Perth apartments have seen stronger price growth than houses over the past year, with units growing around 13% to 15% annually while houses grew closer to 8% to 10%, as buyers seek more affordable entry points.
- From April 2025 to March 2027, foreign buyers are banned from purchasing established apartments in Perth under Australian federal rules, meaning most foreign purchases must be new-build or off-the-plan properties.
- Strata levies in Perth typically range from A$250 to A$1,000 per month depending on building amenities, with older walk-ups at the lower end and high-rise towers with pools, gyms and concierges at the higher end.
- The price per square meter in Perth apartments ranges from around A$4,500 in outer suburbs like Midland and Armadale to over A$10,000 in premium areas like South Perth and Scarborough.
- Perth's rental vacancy rate remains extremely tight at around 0.7% to 2.2%, which continues to push both rental prices and apartment values upward as demand outpaces supply.
- Foreign buyers typically need deposits of 30% to 40% when purchasing Perth apartments, compared to 20% for local buyers, because Australian lenders apply stricter criteria to non-resident borrowers.
How much do apartments really cost in Perth in 2026?
What's the average and median apartment price in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, the median apartment price in Perth sits around A$595,000 (approximately US$400,000 or €340,000), while the average apartment price is slightly higher at around A$600,000 to A$620,000 due to luxury units pulling the average up.
When you look at price per square meter, Perth apartments typically sell for around A$6,900 to A$7,400 per square meter (roughly US$4,600 or €3,900 per sqm), which translates to about A$640 to A$690 per square foot.
Most standard apartments in Perth in 2026 fall within a price range of A$420,000 to A$850,000 (around US$280,000 to US$570,000 or €240,000 to €485,000), covering everything from entry-level units in outer suburbs to well-located two-bedroom apartments in middle-ring areas.
How much is a studio apartment in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical studio apartment in Perth costs between A$380,000 and A$460,000 (roughly US$255,000 to US$310,000 or €215,000 to €260,000), though studios are less common in Perth than in cities like Sydney or Melbourne.
Entry-level to mid-range studio apartments in Perth start around A$350,000 to A$400,000, while high-end or luxury studios in premium locations like South Perth or the CBD can reach A$500,000 to A$550,000 (US$335,000 to US$370,000 or €285,000 to €315,000).
Studio apartments in Perth typically measure between 30 and 45 square meters of internal space, which means the price per square meter often runs higher than larger apartments, usually around A$10,500 to A$13,000 per sqm.
How much is a one-bedroom apartment in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical one-bedroom apartment in Perth costs around A$456,000 (approximately US$305,000 or €260,000), based on REIWA's Perth Metro unit data.
Entry-level to mid-range one-bedroom apartments in Perth range from A$380,000 to A$480,000, while high-end or luxury one-bedroom apartments in sought-after locations like Subiaco, South Perth or Scarborough can reach A$550,000 to A$650,000 (US$370,000 to US$435,000 or €315,000 to €370,000).
One-bedroom apartments in Perth typically measure between 50 and 60 square meters internally, which works out to roughly A$7,600 to A$8,300 per square meter at median pricing.
How much is a two-bedroom apartment in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical two-bedroom apartment in Perth costs around A$585,000 (approximately US$390,000 or €335,000), which sits close to the overall Perth Metro unit median.
Entry-level to mid-range two-bedroom apartments in Perth range from A$480,000 to A$620,000, while high-end or luxury two-bedroom apartments in premium suburbs can reach A$750,000 to A$950,000 (US$500,000 to US$635,000 or €430,000 to €545,000), especially in waterfront or inner-city locations.
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges for apartments in our property pack covering the property market in Perth.
How much is a three-bedroom apartment in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical three-bedroom apartment in Perth costs around A$786,000 (approximately US$525,000 or €450,000), reflecting the premium paid for larger family-sized units.
Entry-level to mid-range three-bedroom apartments in Perth range from A$650,000 to A$850,000, while high-end or luxury three-bedroom apartments in premium locations can reach A$1,000,000 to A$1,500,000 or more (US$670,000 to US$1,000,000 or €570,000 to €860,000).
Three-bedroom apartments in Perth typically measure between 100 and 130 square meters internally, which works out to roughly A$6,000 to A$7,800 per square meter, often lower per-sqm than smaller units because buyers get more space for their money.
What's the price gap between new and resale apartments in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, new-build apartments in Perth typically cost 5% to 20% more than comparable resale apartments, with the premium varying by location, building quality and amenities.
The average price per square meter for new-build apartments in Perth sits around A$7,800 to A$9,500 (roughly US$5,200 to US$6,350 or €4,450 to €5,450 per sqm), reflecting modern finishes, energy efficiency and developer warranties.
Resale apartments in Perth average around A$6,500 to A$8,000 per square meter (roughly US$4,350 to US$5,350 or €3,700 to €4,575 per sqm), though well-maintained buildings in premium locations can match or exceed new-build pricing.
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Can I afford to buy in Perth in 2026?
What's the typical total budget (all-in) to buy an apartment in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, the typical all-in budget to buy a standard apartment in Perth is around A$620,000 to A$705,000 for a median-priced unit (approximately US$415,000 to US$470,000 or €355,000 to €400,000), depending on whether you are a local buyer or a foreign buyer subject to additional duties.
Beyond the purchase price, the all-in budget in Perth includes transfer duty (stamp duty), foreign buyers duty if applicable, Landgate registration fees, conveyancing or settlement agent fees, building and strata inspections, and loan establishment costs if you are borrowing.
We go deeper and try to understand what costs can be avoided or minimized (and how) in our Perth property pack.
You can also read our dedicated blog article to understand what you can at different budget levels in Perth.
What down payment is typical to buy in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, the typical down payment to buy an apartment in Perth is around 20% for local buyers, which means roughly A$119,000 (approximately US$80,000 or €68,000) on a median-priced A$595,000 apartment.
Most Australian banks and lenders require a minimum down payment of 10% to 20% in Perth, though borrowers with less than 20% typically pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), which adds to the upfront cost.
To secure favorable mortgage terms and avoid LMI, a down payment of at least 20% is recommended in Perth, while foreign buyers often need 30% to 40% deposits (A$179,000 to A$238,000 on a median apartment) because lenders apply stricter criteria to non-resident borrowers.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Australia.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Australia compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Which neighborhoods are cheapest or priciest in Perth in 2026?
How much does the price per m² for apartments vary by neighborhood in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, the price per square meter for apartments in Perth ranges from around A$4,500 in affordable outer suburbs to over A$12,000 in premium coastal and inner-city areas (roughly US$3,000 to US$8,000 or €2,550 to €6,850 per sqm).
The most affordable neighborhoods for apartments in Perth include Midland at around A$4,000 to A$5,500 per sqm (US$2,700 to US$3,700) and Armadale at around A$3,800 to A$5,000 per sqm (US$2,550 to US$3,350), where you can find entry-level units well below the metro median.
The most expensive neighborhoods for apartments in Perth include South Perth at around A$8,500 to A$11,000 per sqm (US$5,700 to US$7,350), Scarborough at around A$8,000 to A$10,500 per sqm, and Subiaco at around A$7,500 to A$10,000 per sqm, where river views, beach access and inner-city convenience drive premiums.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Perth.
What neighborhoods are best for first-time buyers on a budget in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, the top three neighborhoods for first-time buyers on a budget in Perth are Armadale (median unit around A$425,000), Midland (median unit around A$460,000) and Rockingham (median unit around A$480,000), all offering apartments well below the metro median.
In these budget-friendly Perth neighborhoods, typical apartment prices range from A$350,000 to A$500,000 (roughly US$235,000 to US$335,000 or €200,000 to €285,000), making them accessible for buyers with smaller deposits.
These neighborhoods offer first-time buyers in Perth access to train stations, shopping centers, schools and essential services, plus strong rental demand if you decide to rent out the property later.
One potential drawback of buying in these budget-friendly Perth neighborhoods is longer commute times to the CBD (typically 30 to 50 minutes by train) and, in some cases, older building stock that may require more maintenance.
Which neighborhoods have the fastest-rising apartment prices in Perth in 2026?
As of January 2026, the top three neighborhoods with the fastest-rising apartment prices in Perth include Scarborough, South Perth and suburbs in the Belmont-Victoria Park corridor, all showing strong year-over-year growth.
These fast-appreciating Perth neighborhoods have seen estimated year-over-year price increases of 10% to 15% for apartments, outpacing the broader metro average of around 8% to 10% for units.
The main driver behind rapid price growth in these Perth neighborhoods is a combination of lifestyle appeal (beach or river access), limited new supply, strong rental demand and affordability pressure pushing buyers out of the house market into apartments.
You can also read our latest update about property price forecasts in Perth.
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What extra costs will I pay on top of the apartment price in Perth in 2026?
What are all the buyer closing costs when you buy an apartment in Perth?
The estimated total buyer closing costs for a typical apartment purchase in Perth range from A$25,000 to A$45,000 for local buyers (roughly US$17,000 to US$30,000 or €14,000 to €26,000), or A$65,000 to A$110,000 for foreign buyers (US$43,000 to US$74,000 or €37,000 to €63,000) on a median-priced apartment.
The main categories of closing costs buyers must pay in Perth include transfer duty (stamp duty), foreign buyers duty if applicable, Landgate registration and lodgement fees, conveyancing or settlement agent fees, building and strata inspections, and loan establishment fees if borrowing.
The largest closing cost for buyers in Perth is typically transfer duty (stamp duty), which can be A$20,000 or more on a median-priced apartment, plus an additional 7% foreign buyers duty surcharge (around A$42,000 on a A$595,000 apartment) for foreign purchasers.
Some closing costs in Perth are negotiable, including conveyancing fees (which vary between providers), inspection fees and loan establishment costs, while government duties and registration fees are fixed and non-negotiable.
On average, how much are buyer closing costs as a percentage of the purchase price for an apartment in Perth?
The typical percentage of the purchase price that buyers should budget for closing costs in Perth is around 4% to 8% for local buyers and 12% to 18% for foreign buyers subject to the 7% foreign buyers duty surcharge.
The realistic low-to-high percentage range for closing costs in Perth covers 4% for straightforward local purchases with minimal professional fees up to 18% for foreign buyers purchasing higher-value properties where duty percentages and FIRB fees compound.
We actually cover all these costs and strategies to minimize them in our pack about the real estate market in Perth.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Australia versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What are the ongoing monthly and yearly costs of an apartment in Perth in 2026?
What are typical HOA fees in Perth right now?
Strata levies (the Australian equivalent of HOA fees) are common for apartments in Perth, with typical monthly fees ranging from A$250 to A$1,000 (roughly US$170 to US$670 or €145 to €570) depending on the building type and amenities.
For basic walk-up apartments in Perth with no lift or pool, strata levies typically run A$250 to A$460 per month (A$3,000 to A$5,500 per year), while high-rise buildings with lifts, gyms, pools and concierge services can charge A$500 to A$1,000 or more per month (A$6,000 to A$12,000 per year).
What utilities should I budget monthly in Perth right now?
The estimated total monthly utility cost for a typical apartment in Perth is around A$200 to A$350 (roughly US$135 to US$235 or €115 to €200), covering electricity, water, gas (if connected) and internet.
The realistic range of monthly utility costs in Perth varies from A$150 for a small, energy-efficient studio apartment to A$400 or more for a larger three-bedroom apartment with high air-conditioning use during Perth's hot summers.
Specific utilities included in the typical Perth monthly budget are electricity (A$100 to A$220), water (A$30 to A$90, though sometimes included in strata), gas (A$50 to A$100 if connected) and internet (A$70 to A$90).
The most expensive utility for apartment owners in Perth is typically electricity, especially during summer months when air-conditioning runs frequently, as Perth experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly above 30°C.
How much is property tax on apartments in Perth?
Australia does not have a single annual property tax like some countries; instead, Perth apartment owners pay council rates to their local government, with typical annual costs ranging from A$1,200 to A$2,500 (roughly US$800 to US$1,675 or €685 to €1,430) depending on property value and location.
Council rates in Perth are calculated based on the Gross Rental Value (GRV) of your property multiplied by a rate set by your local government area (LGA), with different councils charging different rates in cents per dollar of GRV.
The realistic range of annual council rates in Perth for apartments spans from around A$1,000 for lower-value units in outer suburbs to A$3,000 or more for premium apartments in high-value areas like South Perth or Subiaco.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Perth.
What's the yearly building maintenance cost in Perth?
The estimated typical yearly building maintenance cost for apartment owners in Perth is effectively covered by strata levies, which range from A$3,000 to A$12,000 per year (roughly US$2,000 to US$8,000 or €1,700 to €6,850) depending on building type and condition.
The realistic range of yearly maintenance costs in Perth varies from A$2,500 to A$4,500 for well-maintained older walk-ups to A$8,000 to A$15,000 for high-rise towers with extensive amenities and aging infrastructure requiring ongoing capital works.
Expenses typically included in building maintenance costs in Perth are cleaning, gardening, lift servicing, fire safety systems, painting, roof repairs, plumbing and electrical work for common areas, plus contributions to a reserve fund for future major repairs.
In Perth apartments, building maintenance costs are included within strata levies rather than charged separately, with the levies split between an administrative fund for day-to-day expenses and a reserve (sinking) fund for long-term capital works.
How much does home insurance cost in Perth?
The estimated typical annual home insurance cost for an apartment owner in Perth is around A$300 to A$800 (roughly US$200 to US$535 or €170 to €460) for contents insurance, since building insurance is usually covered by the strata company.
The realistic range of annual home insurance costs in Perth varies from A$250 for basic contents coverage with a higher excess to A$1,200 or more for comprehensive coverage including high-value items like electronics, jewelry and artwork.
For apartment owners in Perth, building insurance is mandatory and handled by the strata company (covered through your strata levies), while contents insurance for your personal belongings is optional but strongly recommended.
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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 Perth, 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.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| REIWA Perth Metro Market Data | WA's peak real estate body with data built from settled sales via Landgate. | We used this as our anchor for Perth apartment median prices and suburb comparisons. We also validated our bedroom-specific price estimates against REIWA's published breakdowns. |
| Landgate | WA's official land and property authority that provides the source data for REIWA. | We treated Landgate-sourced data as the most defensible transaction-price baseline. We also used Landgate fee schedules for registration and lodgement costs. |
| WA Government Transfer Duty | Official WA Government entry point for all duty rules and calculators. | We used this to structure closing cost estimates and explain stamp duty calculations for Perth apartment buyers. |
| WA Foreign Buyers Duty | Official WA Government explanation of the 7% foreign buyer surcharge. | We used this to calculate the additional costs foreign buyers face on top of standard transfer duty in Perth. |
| Foreign Investment Review Board | Official Commonwealth foreign investment policy announcements. | We used this to explain the April 2025 to March 2027 ban on established dwellings for foreign buyers. |
| Australian Taxation Office | Tax authority administering foreign investment framework compliance. | We used this to confirm ban dates and exceptions for foreign purchasers of established apartments. |
| Landgate Transaction Fees | Official WA titles registry and regulated fee setter. | We used this to include registration and lodgement fees in our closing cost calculations for Perth apartments. |
| Synergy Home Plan A1 | WA's main residential electricity retailer with published plan details. | We used this to anchor electricity budgeting for Perth apartments to official rates rather than estimates. |
| Water Corporation | WA's state water utility with official pricing tiers. | We used this to build realistic water utility budgets for Perth apartment households. |
| Landgate Strata Finance Guide | WA Government explainer on strata finances, levies and insurance obligations. | We used this to explain what strata fees cover and how they vary by building type in Perth. |
| City of Perth Rates Notice | Official City of Perth rates notice showing how residential rates are calculated. | We used this to explain council rates and why they vary by property value and local government area. |
| CoreLogic | Leading Australian property data and analytics provider. | We used CoreLogic dwelling value indices to cross-reference REIWA data and validate price growth trends. |
| OpenAgent Perth Market Data | Property market analytics platform aggregating multiple data sources. | We used this to verify suburb-level pricing and forecast data for Perth apartments. |
| REIWA Top Performing Suburbs | REIWA's analysis of best-performing suburbs for price growth. | We used this to identify fast-appreciating neighborhoods and understand growth drivers in Perth's apartment market. |
| REIWA Strata Fees Explainer | Industry body guidance on how strata levies work in WA. | We used this to explain strata fee structures and what Perth apartment owners should expect to pay. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Australia. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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