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We constantly update this blog post, so the Wollongong rent figures below are written as if we were in June 2026.
The goal is simple: help you understand what residential rents in Wollongong look like in 2026, without technical jargon.
We focus on long-term residential rentals in Wollongong, not holiday lets, commercial leases or short-term furnished stays.
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 Wollongong.
What are typical rents in Wollongong as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Wollongong as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio in Wollongong is about A$1,800, which is roughly US$1,190 or €1,100.
For most studios in Wollongong in 2026, a realistic rent range is A$1,100 to A$2,200 per month, or about US$730 to US$1,450 and €670 to €1,340.
The main reason studio rents vary so much in Wollongong is that a small older flat near the university does not price like a newer studio near Wollongong CBD, North Wollongong Beach or the train station.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Wollongong as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wollongong is about A$2,170, which is roughly US$1,430 or €1,320.
For most 1-bedroom apartments in Wollongong in 2026, a realistic rent range is A$1,730 to A$2,400 per month, or about US$1,140 to US$1,580 and €1,060 to €1,460.
Cheaper 1-bedroom rents in Wollongong are more common in Fairy Meadow and some older university-adjacent stock, while the highest 1-bedroom rents are usually in Wollongong CBD and North Wollongong.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Wollongong as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Wollongong is about A$2,820, which is roughly US$1,860 or €1,720.
For most 2-bedroom apartments in Wollongong in 2026, a realistic rent range is A$2,280 to A$3,690 per month, or about US$1,500 to US$2,440 and €1,390 to €2,250.
The cheaper 2-bedroom apartments in Wollongong are often in older buildings around Fairy Meadow, Keiraville and Corrimal, while the most expensive ones are usually newer or coastal apartments in Wollongong CBD and North Wollongong.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Wollongong.
What's the average rent per square meter in Wollongong as of 2026?
As of 2026, the average apartment rent in Wollongong is about A$40 per sqm per month, which is roughly US$26 or €24 per sqm per month.
Across Wollongong neighborhoods in 2026, a realistic rent range is about A$32 to A$55 per sqm per month, or about US$21 to US$36 and €20 to €34.
Wollongong rents per sqm are usually lower than Sydney, but they can feel high for a regional city because beach access, UOW demand and train links pull parts of Wollongong closer to a Sydney-style rental market.
In Wollongong, rent per sqm moves above average when an apartment is newer, close to the beach, close to Wollongong Station or North Wollongong Station, has parking, or sits near UOW and the CBD.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Wollongong in 2026?
As of 2026, average residential rents in Wollongong are up by about 5% to 8% year over year, with well-located units often rising faster than houses.
The main reasons Wollongong rents are still rising in 2026 are tight rental supply, UOW-linked demand, hospital and education jobs, and renters moving from Sydney for better value.
Compared with the previous year, Wollongong rent growth in 2026 looks slower and more affordability-limited, but the market is still tight enough for good properties to lease quickly.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Wollongong in 2026?
As of 2026, a realistic outlook for Wollongong rent growth over the next 12 months is about 3% to 6%.
The key support for Wollongong rents is steady demand from students, Sydney-linked renters, health workers, education workers and local families who cannot easily buy.
The Wollongong neighborhoods likely to see the strongest rent growth are North Wollongong, Fairy Meadow, Gwynneville, Keiraville, Wollongong CBD and selected northern coastal suburbs such as Thirroul.
The main risk is affordability, because Wollongong is still cheaper than Sydney, but many local tenants are already stretched by 2026 rent levels.
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Which neighborhoods rent best in Wollongong as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Wollongong as of 2026?
As of 2026, the highest-rent areas in Wollongong are North Wollongong, Wollongong CBD and Thirroul, where stronger apartments and houses often sit around A$2,800 to A$4,000 per month, or about US$1,850 to US$2,640 and €1,710 to €2,440.
These Wollongong neighborhoods command premium rents because they combine beach access, rail links, restaurants, walkability, newer apartments and an easier commute toward Sydney or the university.
The typical tenants in these high-rent Wollongong neighborhoods are young professionals, hospital and university workers, downsizers, Sydney movers and higher-income renters who want convenience rather than the cheapest rent.
By the way, we’ve written a blog article detailing Sources and methodology: we checked realestate.com.au North Wollongong, Domain Wollongong and Transport for NSW. We focused on rent levels, rail access and lifestyle premiums. We also used our own suburb scoring to avoid relying only on advertised rents.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Wollongong right now?
The top Wollongong neighborhoods for young professionals are Wollongong CBD, North Wollongong and Fairy Meadow.
Young professionals in these Wollongong areas usually pay about A$2,100 to A$3,500 per month, or about US$1,390 to US$2,310 and €1,280 to €2,140, depending on whether they rent a 1-bedroom or a 2-bedroom unit.
Young professionals choose these Wollongong neighborhoods because they want cafes, nightlife, beach access, train stations, work access and a modern apartment that does not require a long daily drive.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Wollongong.
Where do families prefer to rent in Wollongong right now?
The top Wollongong neighborhoods for families are Figtree, Corrimal and Woonona, with Mangerton, Keiraville and Mount Ousley also popular for family renters.
Families renting 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom homes in these Wollongong neighborhoods usually pay about A$2,800 to A$4,300 per month, or about US$1,850 to US$2,840 and €1,710 to €2,620.
These Wollongong family areas are attractive because they offer more space, parking, schools, quieter streets, shopping access and easier links to UOW, Wollongong Hospital or the M1.
Families in these neighborhoods often look at nearby options such as Figtree High School, Corrimal High School, Woonona High School, Keiraville Public School and Mount Ousley Public School.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Wollongong in 2026?
As of 2026, the fastest-renting Wollongong areas near transit or universities are Gwynneville, Keiraville and North Wollongong, with Fairy Meadow and Wollongong CBD also very liquid.
Good properties in these high-demand Wollongong areas often stay listed for about 10 to 20 days when the rent is realistic.
The typical rent premium for being close to UOW, Wollongong Station, North Wollongong Station or Fairy Meadow Station is about A$150 to A$400 per month, or about US$100 to US$260 and €90 to €240.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Wollongong right now?
The top Wollongong neighborhoods for expats are Wollongong CBD, North Wollongong and Fairy Meadow, with Gwynneville and Keiraville also important for university-linked expats.
Expats in these Wollongong neighborhoods usually pay about A$2,000 to A$3,700 per month, or about US$1,320 to US$2,440 and €1,220 to €2,260, depending on size and furnishing.
These areas attract expats because they offer easy setup, public transport, beach access, restaurants, UOW access, hospitals, English-speaking services and more apartment options.
The most visible expat groups around Wollongong are international students, academics, healthcare workers and skilled migrants, with strong representation from Asian student communities because of UOW.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our Sources and methodology: we used University of Wollongong statistics, Domain listings and ABS Census data. We treated student and skilled-worker demand as the clearest expat signal. Our own rental analysis also checked furnished and central apartment demand.
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Wollongong right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Wollongong?
The top tenant profiles in Wollongong are students and university-linked renters, young professionals and key workers, and families who rent houses or larger units.
A practical 2026 estimate is that students and university-linked renters represent about 25% to 30% of demand, young professionals and key workers about 30% to 35%, and families about 30% to 35%.
Students and young workers usually want studios, 1-bedroom or 2-bedroom units near UOW, rail or the CBD, while families usually want 3-bedroom homes in Figtree, Corrimal, Woonona, Mangerton or Mount Ousley.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our Sources and methodology: we used University of Wollongong statistics, ABS Wollongong Census data and Wollongong Housing Monitor. Tenant-profile percentages are estimates, because no single source publishes this exact split. We cross-checked the split with listing types and suburb demand patterns.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Wollongong?
In Wollongong in 2026, about 70% to 80% of long-term tenants prefer unfurnished rentals, while about 20% to 30% are open to furnished rentals.
A furnished apartment in Wollongong can usually ask for about A$170 to A$390 more per month, or about US$110 to US$260 and €100 to €240, if the furniture is modern and useful.
Furnished rentals in Wollongong work best for students, visiting academics, medical staff, relocating professionals and expats who want to move in quickly.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Wollongong?
The five amenities that lift Wollongong rents the most are parking, air-conditioning, a balcony or view, a modern kitchen with dishwasher, and a second bathroom in larger apartments.
In Wollongong in 2026, parking can add about A$150 to A$300 per month, air-conditioning A$80 to A$170, a balcony or view A$120 to A$350, a modern kitchen A$120 to A$260, and a second bathroom A$170 to A$390.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Wollongong, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Wollongong?
The best rental ROI renovations in Wollongong are repainting, split-system air-conditioning, durable flooring, a simple kitchen refresh, and better bathroom ventilation.
Typical Wollongong costs are about A$2,000 to A$6,000 for painting, A$2,500 to A$4,500 for air-conditioning, A$4,000 to A$10,000 for flooring, A$5,000 to A$15,000 for a kitchen refresh, and A$1,000 to A$4,000 for ventilation, with rent gains often ranging from A$80 to A$350 per month depending on the property.
Landlords in Wollongong should usually avoid luxury finishes, over-designed bathrooms and expensive cosmetic upgrades that do not fix damp, storage, parking, cooling or everyday usability.
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How strong is rental demand in Wollongong as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Wollongong as of 2026?
As of 2026, the rental vacancy rate in Wollongong is about 1.0%, which means the Wollongong rental market is still tight.
Across Wollongong neighborhoods, a realistic vacancy range is about 0.5% to 1.5%, with central, coastal, station-linked and UOW-adjacent areas usually tighter than the outer or less convenient suburbs.
Compared with a more balanced historical market, Wollongong’s 2026 vacancy rate is low, so tenants still compete for well-priced homes and landlords still have pricing power.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Wollongong.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Wollongong as of 2026?
As of 2026, a good residential rental in Wollongong usually stays listed for about 15 to 25 days.
The realistic range is about 10 to 20 days for good 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments near UOW, North Wollongong or the CBD, and about 20 to 35 days for ordinary houses or overpriced older stock.
Compared with one year ago, Wollongong days on market in 2026 look broadly similar or slightly faster for good apartments, because supply is still tight even though rent growth has slowed.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Wollongong?
The peak tenant-demand months in Wollongong are usually January, February and March, with a smaller second wave in June and July.
Wollongong has this pattern because the university year starts early in the year, many jobs change after the holidays, and some households move again around mid-year.
The quietest rental-demand months in Wollongong are usually May, late November and December, when fewer tenants want to move unless they must.
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What will my monthly costs be in Wollongong as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Wollongong as of 2026?
As of 2026, a typical Wollongong residential landlord should expect about A$1,700 to A$2,800 per year in council rates and local charges, which is about US$1,120 to US$1,850 and €1,040 to €1,710.
Depending on land value and property type, the realistic annual range for Wollongong council rates and local charges is about A$1,500 to A$3,500, or about US$990 to US$2,310 and €920 to €2,140.
Wollongong council rates are mainly based on land value and council charges, while NSW land tax is separate and usually applies only when an investor’s total taxable NSW land value passes the state threshold.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Wollongong, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Wollongong right now?
In Wollongong in 2026, landlords commonly pay council rates, water service charges, sewerage service charges, building insurance, strata levies where relevant, and repairs.
A typical Wollongong apartment landlord might pay about A$180 to A$260 per month for council and water fixed charges, A$70 to A$120 for insurance, and A$300 to A$600 for strata if the property is in a strata building.
In normal Wollongong long-term rentals, tenants usually pay electricity, gas, internet and water usage only when the property is separately metered, water-efficient and properly billed.
How is rental income taxed in Wollongong as of 2026?
As of 2026, rental income in Wollongong is taxed as Australian rental income, so resident landlords include net rent in their taxable income while foreign residents are taxed on Australian-source rental income from the first dollar.
Common deductions for Wollongong landlords include loan interest, council rates, repairs, insurance, property-management fees, strata levies, water charges, depreciation and capital works where allowed.
Common Wollongong-specific mistakes include mixing holiday-style costs with long-term rental costs, forgetting coastal maintenance, misunderstanding water-usage rules, and assuming NSW land tax applies only to one property rather than total taxable NSW land value.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our Sources and methodology: we used ATO rental properties guide, Revenue NSW land tax guidance and NSW utility rules. We kept income tax, land tax and council charges separate. Our own landlord-cost model helps translate tax rules into practical investor questions.
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 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 Wollongong, 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 we used | Why this source matters | How we used this source |
|---|---|---|
| NSW DCJ Rent and Sales Report | This is the official NSW source for private rental bond data. | We used it as the anchor for rent levels and rent movement. We treated it as stronger than listing-site data because it reflects actual bonds, not only advertised rents. |
| NSW DCJ Rent explanatory notes | This source explains how NSW rent data is collected and reported. | We used it to avoid mixing bond rents with asking rents. We used it to frame the figures as private-market residential rents. |
| SQM Research weekly rents | SQM is a long-running Australian property data firm with a clear weekly asking-rent series. | We used it to check current rent pressure in Wollongong in 2026. We used its rent-growth signal to compare houses and units. |
| SQM Research vacancy rates | SQM tracks rental vacancies from monitored online listings. | We used it to estimate rental tightness in Wollongong. We cross-checked it against listing counts on Domain and realestate.com.au. |
| Wollongong City Council Housing Monitor | This is a council-linked local housing dashboard. | We used it to check local housing context in Wollongong. We used it to separate Wollongong-specific demand from wider NSW trends. |
| Domain Rental Report March 2026 | Domain is one of Australia’s main property marketplaces and publishes rental research. | We used it for the broader 2026 rental-cycle context. We compared Wollongong with other tight east-coast markets. |
| realestate.com.au Wollongong rental listings | realestate.com.au is a major Australian residential listings marketplace. | We used it to check current asking rents in Wollongong. We also used it to estimate bedroom-level rents where official data is less detailed. |
| Domain Wollongong rental listings | Domain shows current rental listings with property details and amenities. | We used it to sanity-check rents for studios, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments. We also used it to see which features push rents higher. |
| ABS 2021 Census Wollongong LGA | ABS is Australia’s official statistics agency. | We used it for household and demographic context. We used it to separate long-term housing demand from short-term listing noise. |
| University of Wollongong statistics | UOW is the main local university and publishes its own enrolment figures. | We used it to size the student-rental demand pool. We used it to explain why Gwynneville, Keiraville, Fairy Meadow and North Wollongong rent quickly. |
| Transport for NSW routes and stops | This is the official NSW public transport source. | We used it to identify station-linked rental demand. We used it to explain why suburbs near rail often attract stronger tenant interest. |
| Wollongong City Council rates | This is the official local council source for rates information. | We used it for landlord holding-cost estimates. We used it to calculate realistic council-rate ranges for Wollongong residential property. |
| Revenue NSW land tax | Revenue NSW is the official NSW tax authority. | We used it for 2026 land-tax thresholds and rates. We used it to explain when ordinary investors may or may not pay land tax. |
| NSW Fair Trading utilities rules | NSW Fair Trading is the official tenancy regulator. | We used it for water, sewerage and tenant-utility rules. We used it to explain what landlords commonly cannot pass on to tenants. |
| ATO rental property guide | The ATO is Australia’s federal tax authority. | We used it for rental-income and deduction treatment. We used it to explain tax in plain language for non-professional landlords. |
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