More Australian suburbs join the million dollar median club as housing affordability slips further

Almost one third of all Australian suburbs now have a median house or unit value at or above $1 million, new data has shown.

The latest CoreLogic Million-Dollar Markets report released today revealed 29.3 percent of the 4,772 suburbs analysed were members of the million-dollar club. The previous record was 26.9 percent in April 2022. CoreLogic economist Kaytlin Ezzy said the results are in stark contrast to median values in early 2020.

“At the onset of COVID, just 14.3 percent of house and unit markets had a median value at or above the $1 million mark,” she said. “With almost 30 percent of suburbs now posting a seven-figure median, the increase is a natural consequence of rising values and worsening affordability.”

Unsurprisingly, Sydney topped the table as Australia’s most expensive capital with a median of $1,180,463 and adding 46 net suburbs to the list. Sydney now has 448 house and 107 unit markets with a current median value of $1 million or greater.

However, growth in the smaller capitals has also been significant. CoreLogic data showed dwelling values in Brisbane have risen by 15 percent over the past year with a net increase of 46 million-dollar markets, tying with Sydney.

“The positive flow of interstate migration, coupled with a continued undersupply of advertised listings as well as newly built housing stock, has seen Brisbane values rise 65.1 percent since the onset of COVID,” Ms Ezzy said.

“Such a significant increase in home values has eroded much of the city’s previous affordability advantage, with Brisbane now having the second highest median dwelling value ($875,040) among the capitals.”

The results shine a light on housing affordability concerns, with the report noting that homeowners with a $800,000 mortgage and repayments based on current interest rates would need to be earning close to $200,000 in order to keep repayments under 30 percent of their income. Ms Ezzy said prior to the first interest rate hike, the minimum salary required for homeowners to avoid mortgage stress was about $125,000.

“Despite the increase in the number of million-dollar markets, borrowers are dedicating more of their income towards servicing their mortgage,” she said.

Property has always been about more than buying and selling. A home can represent a fresh start, a long-term investment, an architectural idea or a connection to a particular neighbourhood. Even when people are not planning a move, many still enjoy following the market, researching local areas and discovering the stories behind remarkable homes.

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“We’re reimagining real estate around how people actually engage with property today — bringing together market insight, exceptional homes, local perspective and lifestyle in a way that feels more relevant and useful,” says Michael Coombs, Director of Atlas Real Estate.

That approach recognises that an interest in property rarely begins on the day someone decides to buy or sell. A future buyer may spend months learning about suburbs, monitoring prices and refining their sense of what they want. A homeowner might follow nearby sales to understand the changing value and character of their area. An investor may be looking for broader market context, while a design enthusiast may be drawn to an exceptional renovation or a distinctive piece of architecture.

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For Atlas, this thinking forms part of “Real Estate, Reimagined”, its broader brand campaign focused on using brand, creativity and technology to deliver a more relevant, useful and human real estate experience. Rather than treating technology as an end in itself, the emphasis is on how it can make property easier and more engaging to explore.

That human focus matters because real estate decisions are often closely tied to significant moments in people’s lives. A move may be connected to a growing family, a new job, a change in lifestyle or a long-held ambition. Even outside those milestones, homes and neighbourhoods remain a source of interest because they reflect how people live and how communities develop.

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The ambition is not to redefine why people care about property, but to reflect the many reasons they already do. By combining useful information with engaging editorial content, Atlas is creating a place for buyers, sellers, homeowners, investors and the property-curious alike.

Whatever brings you to property, discover more at atlas.com.au

More Australian suburbs join the million dollar median club as housing affordability slips further

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Atlas Real Estate is reimagining how people connect with property, combining listings, market insights, local stories and lifestyle content in one destination for those buying, selling or simply exploring the market.