Australians Say Home Ownership Means Happiness

Most Australians feel that home ownership is important for their overall happiness, providing not only a sense of financial security but also contributing to their emotional wellbeing. Those are the findings of a research report undertaken by the customer-owned Great Southern Bank.

The research contains insights from almost 2,000 Australians on how they’re feeling about their current living situation. It found homeowners are significantly happier with their homes than renters, and the more equity they have in their homes, the happier they feel. Happiness is highest for mortgage-free homeowners, with 57 percent saying they were ‘very happy’ compared to 45 percent of homeowners with a mortgage and 29 percent of long-term renters.

Megan Keleher, Chief Customer Officer at Great Southern Bank, said: “What this report illustrates is the strong link between home ownership and happiness – in fact 7 out of 10 Australians say home ownership is important to their overall happiness,” Ms Keleher said. “Just 5 percent – or one in 20 – say it is not at all important. And perhaps not surprisingly, happiness with our home increases as we get older, and as we move towards becoming mortgage-free.”

The report found that 51 percent of renters are feeling heavily burdened by their financial commitments compared to 36 percent of homeowners. About 84 percent of long-term renters say they are concerned about current cost-of-living pressures compared to 73 percent of homeowners. And 80 percent are worried about housing affordability compared to 62 percent of owners.

Ms Kelaher said 29 percent of renters and 18 percent of long-term renters were still feeling confident that they could achieve their home ownership dreams. One in two renters said they were hopeful of buying a home to live in within the next three years, however saving a deposit is the key barrier.

“Of course, we acknowledge that the homeownership journey can be difficult and one of the biggest challenges faced by first home buyers is saving a deposit,” said Ms Keleher. “For those buyers who are finding it difficult to save a deposit, there is support available from several government initiatives. For instance, the Federal Government Home Guarantee Scheme’s expanded eligibility criteria is helping more first-time buyers, as well as those who haven’t owned a home for many years.”

One in 10 respondents who had previously planned to buy a home are now holding off, saying they feel deterred by rising property prices (60 percent), the cost of living (60 percent) or rising interest rates (45 percent). New CoreLogic data shows the national home value rose by 8.1 percent in 2023. Meantime, interest rates have risen dramatically since May 2022 from an emergency low of 0.1 percent to 4.35 percent today.

The report also asked respondents how satisfied they were with various elements of their homes, such as style and location.

About 72 percent of baby boomers were happy with their home’s location compared to 61 percent of Gen Xers, 58 percent of millennials and 48 percent of Gen Zs. About 62 percent of baby boomers liked the internal look and feel of their homes versus 51 percent of Gen Xers and 48 percent of both millennials and Gen Zs.

It appears many Australians are living in homes that are too big or small for them, with the size of homes recording some of the lowest satisfaction scores. Just 65 percent of baby boomers are happy with the size of their homes compared to 48 percent of Gen Xers, 42 percent of millennials and 40 percent of Gen Zs.

Capital city home prices have continued to rise in April despite higher interest rates and ongoing uncertainty about the outlook for inflation and the global economy.

Growth rates, however, have eased, reflecting the usual subduing effect of the lengthy April holiday month.

The national capital city median house price increased marginally by 0.2% over the April quarter to $1,297,798 compared to the March quarter, according to the latest data from My Housing Market.

Annual national house prices are, however, 10.2% higher and have now increased for 14 consecutive months.

Most capitals reported house price increases over the month, with Brisbane and Perth the top performers, each higher by 1.3%, followed by Hobart and Darwin, both up 1.2%, Adelaide up 0.2%, with Sydney steady. Melbourne prices, however, fell 0.7%, while Canberra prices fell 1.7%.

Most also report strong annual house price growth in excess of 10%, with Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, and Adelaide clearly the highest, up by 25.7%, 21.6%, 20.0% and 14.2% respectively.

National unit prices were also higher in the April quarter than in the March quarter, rising by 0.5% to $728,459, and have now increased by 8.2% compared to the April quarter 2025 result.

Brisbane was the top monthly performer in April, with unit prices rising by 1.7%, followed by Perth up 1.0%, Melbourne and Canberra each up 0.9%, Adelaide up 0.6%, and Hobart up 0.1%. Sydney unit prices were steady over the month; however, Darwin unit prices were down 0.8%.

Similar to houses, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin continue to record the highest annual unit price growth to April 2026, at 30.1%, 27.8%, 12.9% and 11.8%, respectively.

Dr Andrew Wilson. Photo: Giovanni Portelli Photography

Analysis

Capital city housing markets have generally reported higher home prices in April, although growth rates have eased compared to March.

Easing housing markets reflect the usual dampening effects of the lengthy April holiday month, although higher interest rates and increased uncertainty about the economic outlook have weighed on affordability and confidence.

Robust annual home price growth, however, continues for most capitals with Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, and Adelaide still reporting boomtime results.

Although 2026 is still set to see home price growth generally in most capitals, the rising spectre of further interest rate increases and elevated uncertainty over the outlook for inflation and the economy will continue to dampen affordability and confidence.

Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin, however, are again set to lead capital city outcomes for both houses and units, but are unlikely to match the extraordinary 2025 results.

Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide continue to record higher median house prices than Melbourne, with Perth now closing in fast on Brisbane and set to lead all but Sydney.

Underlying drivers will continue to support overall housing market activity, although the outlook for RBA interest rates is more problematic, with inflation set to accelerate and economic activity to decline as a consequence of the recent sharp increase in oil prices.

The economy, however, remains strong, with a steady, still-low jobless rate, falling unemployment, continued robust job growth, and a high participation rate.

Housing demand continues to outpace a low and diminishing housing supply, and although high post-COVID migration levels have recently eased, numbers remain strong and will add to chronic housing undersupply, supporting high rents and low vacancy rates generally in capital city rental markets.

Following a period of easing in rental growth, the latest data continue to show extraordinarily low home rental vacancy rates and clear signs that rents are on the rise again.

High rents and higher prices continue to provide clear incentives for first-home buyers and investors chasing solid investment returns.

Ongoing government initiatives to support first-home buyers will increase demand and place further upward pressure on prices.

Capital city housing markets generally recorded higher house and unit prices over 2023, 2024 and surged over 2025, fuelled by rising buyer and seller confidence through sharp cuts to interest rates.

Although 2026 is again likely to see higher home prices, significant uncertainty has recently emerged about the near-term outlook for already-high interest rates and economic activity, which will generally dampen buyer and seller confidence.

Early signs are emerging in the recent weakening of home auction market clearance rates, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.

Australians Say Home Ownership Means Happiness

A new report shows 70 percent of Australians feel that owning a home contributes to their personal happiness in life.

Australia’s capital city housing markets have continued to record price growth, although higher interest rates and economic uncertainty are beginning to temper momentum.