Australians on the move as housing affordability worsens
Analysts say more people may leave capital cities for the regions in 2024 as the housing crisis deepens
3 min
Frustrated aspiring home buyers and renters fed up with high runaway prices in certain markets may resort to moving interstate in 2024, according to analysts. In the latest Housing Affordability Report released by ANZ and CoreLogic, analysts say housing affordability has worsened due to rising migration and interest rates on top of longer-term factors such as governments not building enough social and affordable housing to keep up with demand.
“There is no quick and easy supply response to rising rents and home values,” according to the report. “As a result, 2024 may see more internal migration of prospective first home buyers and renters to markets with relatively low price points.” ANZ and CoreLogic point to data tracking historical net internal migration trends against the current median value of dwellings. “Internal migration was higher across areas with relatively low median values at that time,” the data shows.
During the pandemic, internal migration patterns changed as more people left Sydney and Melbourne, in particular, and relocated to the regions. Being able to work from home enabled many families to move to lower-cost markets and attain a better lifestyle. Queensland – especially the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, along with regional NSW and Victoria — were key beneficiaries of this trend. In 2022, NSW lost 31,560 residents and Victoria lost 9,955 due to net internal migration, while Queensland gained 34,545 residents, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The ANZ/CoreLogic report also predicts that more Australians will choose to share a property to save money in today’s cost-of-living crisis. Multi-generational living among families is a rising trend among home owners, and in the rental market, there is surging demand for share houses to make the rent more affordable for individuals. This represents a reversal of pandemic trends, say the analysts.
“In addition to changing location preferences, there could also be some preference shifts around the number of people sharing a household in 2024. The pandemic period saw a notable drop in average household size from 2.55 people per household to 2.49 as of 2023. This may have reflected greater demand for space as more time was spent at home, a temporary rise in available rentals at the very start of the pandemic, and high levels of fiscal stimulus supporting incomes. However, this trend could reverse as more people take up share housing to alleviate housing costs.”
The interest rate hiking cycle is likely coming to an end, which will ease pressure on mortgage serviceability, but the analysts note that a steady or falling cash rate typically results in upward pressure on prices. “Additionally, the current drop-off in new dwelling approvals may hinder housing supply growth for some time. Ultimately, improved housing affordability in the long term is likely to depend on deliberate initiatives to increase housing supply, rather than relying on a temporary downswing in prices or cyclical reduction in interest rates.”
The report also finds that regional markets are not as affordable as they used to be following the pandemic boom. As of October, regional home values are 44 percent higher than at the start of COVID compared to capital city prices being 26 percent higher.
The report also notes a widening price gap between Sydney and Melbourne, with Melbourne the only capital city where affordability for buyers has improved over the past five years.
“More modest dwelling value increases in Melbourne, which has led to Melbourne being more affordable relative to Sydney over time, comes down to more supply of dwellings over the past 15 years,” the report states. “ABS building activity data shows there were around 850,000 dwelling completions across Victoria in the 15 years to June 2023, which is 21% higher than in NSW over the same period.”
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Melbourne’s lifestyle appeal is driving record population growth — and rising rents. Here are the six most expensive suburbs to rent a house in right now.
5 min
Melbourne is considered Australia’s most liveable city. In fact, Melbourne competes on the global stage, consistently ranking among Time Out’s top cities to live in the world and ranking fourth in 2025. Melbourne is a cultural mecca filled with arts, x, and the country’s best sporting events.
It’s the lifestyle factor that has seen Melbourne’s population grow by over 142,000 people over the 23/24 financial year, largely driven by overseas migration. With increased population comes increased demand for properties, particularly in the rental market.
Akin to Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne’s South Eastern suburbs, towards Bayside and the water, dominate the most expensive suburbs listed to rent across the Victorian capital.
In this article, we’ve examined the six most expensive suburbs to rent a house in Melbourne right now, according to property data analytics firm Cotality (formerly CoreLogic).
Brighton
Median purchase: $3.15m
Median rent: $1,353
Brighton is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to rent a house, and it’s easy to see why. A blend of grand period homes and modern architectural builds line the wide, tree-filled streets. The suburb is synonymous with luxury, and rental properties—especially those close to the famed Brighton Beach and its iconic bathing boxes—are snapped up quickly. Vacancy rates sit at a tight 0.9 per cent.
The Neighbourhood
Brighton offers an enviable mix of a beachside lifestyle and convenient shopping and dining. With access to top schools like Brighton Grammar and Firbank, plus Church Street’s boutiques and the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, the Bayside suburb is the complete package for Melbourne’s high-end renters.
Malvern
Median purchase: $2.8m
Median rent: $1,313
Long known for its timeless Victorian and Edwardian homes, Malvern is a leafy inner suburb with prestige appeal. Many properties here are fully renovated period homes, featuring extensive gardens and original features that appeal to families and executives.
The Neighbourhood
Malvern boasts a refined atmosphere with a strong community feel. Glenferrie Road and High Street offer upscale cafes, boutiques, and grocers, while schools like De La Salle and St Joseph’s make the suburb particularly attractive to families.
Black Rock
Median purchase: $2.29m
Median rent: $1,253
Nestled along the Bayside coast, Black Rock has seen steady growth in both house prices and rents in recent years. Larger blocks and a quieter, more laid-back vibe than neighbouring suburbs make this a coveted spot for renters seeking both space and lifestyle.
The Neighbourhood
Black Rock is home to the picturesque Half Moon Bay and scenic cliffside walks. The suburb blends beachside charm with village convenience, offering local cafés, golf courses, and direct access to some of Melbourne’s best coastal trails.
Sandringham
Median purchase: $2.21m
Median rent: $1,199
Sandringham, next door to Black Rock, offers more of the same as its neighbouring suburb, at similar prices. Sandringham too ticks the box for laid-back waterside recreation, with the majority of homes in walking distance to the sand and charming village shops.
The Neighbourhood
This is a family-friendly suburb with a strong community vibe. Sandringham Village, with its mix of cafes, wine bars, and boutiques, sits just a short walk from the train station and beach. The area also offers excellent sporting facilities and parks. Sandringham Harbour is the local landmark, a popular destination for boating, fishing, and waterfront views from Sandringham Yacht Club.
Canterbury
Median purchase: $3.15m
Median rent: $1,179
Canterbury is the innermost Melbourne suburb on this list. It is considered one of Melbourne’s most prestigious suburbs, defined by grand family homes, generally over-the-top opulent new builds with French Provincial façades behind gated entries.
The Neighbourhood
Canterbury is anchored by the exclusive “Golden Mile” precinct and is surrounded by elite private schools such as Camberwell Grammar and Strathcona. Maling Road provides a quaint village feel, while the area’s lush green spaces complete the picture of prestige.
Hampton
Median purchase: $2.3m
Median rent: $1,171
It’s back to Bayside for the sixth and final suburb on the priciest rental areas in Melbourne. Hampton is not too dissimilar to Brighton, with a main High Street providing convenience and the beach rounding out the relaxed lifestyle found on the bay. The suburb has undergone significant gentrification, with many original homes replaced by contemporary builds.
The Neighbourhood
With a stretch of clean, family-friendly beach and the bustling Hampton Street shopping strip, Hampton has everything renters could want—from stylish cafes to gourmet grocers and boutique fitness studios. Its proximity to Brighton and Sandringham only adds to its appeal.
Melbourne’s Cheapest Suburb: Melton South
Median purchase: $460,000
Median rent: $430
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Melton South—roughly 40km west of the CBD—offers the most affordable rental market. With a median rent of under $450 a week, it’s less than a third of the weekly rent in Brighton. The suburb attracts families and first-home renters seeking value and larger land lots.
Melbourne’s Best Suburb: Toorak
Toorak is considered the Point Piper of Melbourne. Boasting even more billionaires than Sydney’s harbourside hotspot, Toorak is home to Melbourne’s most expensive houses, and reportedly Australia’s most expensive house sale if the 1860s Italianate mansion Coonac settles at over $130 million.
The suburb has some of the best educational institutions in Melbourne, as well as luxury homes on the Yarra, two train stations, and a central shopping precinct undergoing a full transformation with several mixed-use retail and residential developments. It is definitely the place to be.
Where is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to rent a house?
As of May 2025, Brighton is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to rent a house.
Where is Melbourne’s cheapest suburb to rent a unit?
As of May 2025, Melton South is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to rent a house.
Where is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to buy a house?
As of May 2025, Toorak is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to buy a house.
Where is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to buy a unit?
As of May 2025, Beaumaris is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to buy a unit
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