REVEALED: Brisbane’s Most Expensive Suburbs To Rent
As Brisbane’s rental market continues to surge, new data reveals the city’s most expensive suburbs to rent a house — and six of them now command over $1,000 a week.
5 min
The Brisbane rental market has surged in recent years, and the city’s most prestigious postcodes are now commanding eye-watering prices for houses.
Data commissioned by Kanebridge News from property data analytics firm Cotality (formerly CoreLogic) reveals that renters are forking out more than $1,000 a week in six of Brisbane’s most expensive suburbs — a threshold that reflects the strength of the city’s prestige housing market and growing interstate demand.
Below, we reveal the most expensive suburbs in Brisbane right now for renting a house, with a breakdown of median house prices, weekly rents, and what makes each neighbourhood so desirable.
*Cotality only includes suburbs where there have been 20 or more houses for rent over a single year. Prices are accurate as of May 2025.
Hawthorne
Median house value: $2.16m
Median weekly house rent: $1,083
The Neighbourhood
Hawthorne is one of Brisbane’s premier riverfront suburbs. On the southern side of the Brisbane River, around six kilometres from the CBD, Hawthorne is characterised by its wide, tree-lined streets, a mix of heritage and restored Queenslanders, and new architect-designed modern homes. Residents enjoy proximity to the Brisbane River, boutique cafes, the historic Hawthorne Cinema, and excellent ferry links. The area’s village-style atmosphere and strong school zoning make it a magnet for high-income families and professionals.
The Homes
The priciest home for lease in Hawthorne is a fully renovated Queenslander on Mullens Street, one of the best streets in the suburb. The $1,400 a week rental has four bedrooms and last sold for $2.6 million late last year.
Bulimba
Median house value: $2.05m
Median weekly house rent: $1,079
The Neighbourhood
Next door to Hawthorne, Bulimba is also one of Brisbane’s most sought-after lifestyle suburbs. Its Oxford Street precinct is a major drawcard, filled with cafés, restaurants, boutiques, and a vibrant community atmosphere. The houses are also very similar to those of its neighbouring suburb, classic Queenslanders and contemporary builds.
The Homes
The most expensive rental on the market in Bulimba is a five-bedroom renovated Queenslander on over 1,000 sqm. It has an outdoor lounge area, a swimming pool, and a gym. It is seeking a tenant at $2,250 a week.
Brookfield
Median house value: $2.02m
Median weekly house rent: $1,064
The Neighbourhood
Brookfield in Brisbane’s western suburbs is the answer for those seeking space, privacy, and a touch of country living within city limits. Located around 13km from the CBD, Brookfield is renowned for its large homes on expansive blocks, leafy surrounds, and strong community feel.
The area’s semi-rural charm is paired with proximity to excellent private schools and natural attractions like Mount Coot-tha. High demand for acreage homes in a prestige setting has pushed median weekly rents to $1,064 — making it one of the most exclusive outer suburbs for renting a house in Brisbane.
The Homes
There are just two homes for rent in Brookfield currently, one a five-bedroom home asking $1,300 a week.
Chelmer
Median house value: $1.91m
Median weekly house rent: $1,053
The Neighbourhood
Situated on a bend of the Brisbane River, Chelmer offers peaceful, upmarket living less than 10km from the CBD. The suburb is known for its character homes, riverside views, and wide, leafy streets lined with jacarandas.
Chelmer has long attracted well-heeled families drawn to its excellent school catchments, village charm, and easy train access to the city.
The Homes
A four-bedroom Queenslander with a pool on Jarrot Street is the priciest in Chelmer. It is seeking a $1,425 a week tenant.
Ascot
Median house value: $2.47m
Median weekly house rent: $1,025
The Neighbourhood
An icon of Brisbane’s prestige property market, Ascot is synonymous with elegance, history, and high-end living. The suburb is famous for its heritage-listed homes, proximity to the racecourses at Eagle Farm and Doomben, and the elite private schools that attract families from across the city.
Ascot is just 7km from the CBD and offers a refined, well-connected lifestyle with some of Brisbane’s most prestigious real estate. With a median weekly rent of $1,025 and the highest median house value on the list, it remains a flagship suburb in Brisbane’s luxury rental market.
The Homes
A four-bedroom Queenslander with a pool on Jarrot Street is the priciest in Chelmer. It is seeking a $1,425 a week tenant.
Pullenvale
Median house value: $2.02m
Median weekly house rent: $1,020
The Neighbourhood
Set against a backdrop of rolling hills and native bushland, Pullenvale offers an acreage lifestyle just 20km from the city. The suburb is known for its spacious estates, peaceful atmosphere, and strong appeal to families who want both luxury and seclusion.
Despite its tranquil setting, Pullenvale is still within reach of top private schools and shopping hubs like Indooroopilly. With demand for large homes on generous land rising, the suburb has hit a median rent of $1,020 — placing it firmly within Brisbane’s most exclusive rental enclaves.
The Homes
One of the most expensive homes in Pullenvale on the rental market is Lynwood, a $1,200 a week rental. Set on 10,000 sqm, the 1940s-built home features a fireplace, 12ft ceilings, timber floor and VJ walls. It has four bedrooms and is wrapped in verandahs that overlook the surrounding manicured gardens.
Brisbane’s Cheapest Suburb: Russell Island
Median purchase: $454,000
Median rent: $461
Russell Island is the most affordable suburb within Greater Brisbane. Deemed as East Brisbane, Russell Island is in the City of Redland, 20 minutes by passenger ferry from Redland Bay.
The large 1,700-hectare island has a permanent population of 4,000 people and has everything from a medical centre and supermarket to an RSL, library, and museum.
Brisbane’s Best Suburb: Kangaroo Point
Kangaroo Point is the most consistently expensive suburb in Brisbane due to its tight supply of houses. According to the last census, just 10 percent of dwellings in the suburb are houses, given its proximity to the CBD.
The riverfront suburb is the closest to the Story Bridge on the south side, and has set records for the most expensive houses in the capital, which hug the cliff face. The suburb is home to Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, The Cliffs Boardwalk, and popular Italian restaurant Joey’s that serves morning coffees all the way through to fine dining at night, with a terrace that takes in the best views in Brisbane.
The Holman Street Ferry Terminal connects Kangaroo Point to the city in minutes.
What is Brisbane’s most expensive suburb to rent a house?
As of May 2025, Hawthorne is Brisbane’s most expensive suburb to rent a house.
What is Brisbane’s cheapest suburb to rent a unit?
As of May 2025, Russell Island is Brisbane’s most expensive suburb to rent a house.
What is Brisbane’s most expensive suburb to buy a house?
As of May 2025, New Farm is Brisbane’s most expensive suburb to buy a house.
What is Brisbane’s most expensive suburb to buy a unit?
As of May 2025, Point Lookout is Brisbane’s most expensive suburb to buy a unit.
Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.
Ophora Tallawong has launched its final release of quality apartments priced under $700,000.
Brickworks has enlisted acclaimed architecture studio Kennedy Nolan to explore how homes could become more adaptable, energy-efficient and connected to community.
2 minAustralia’s housing debate is often dominated by affordability and supply, but a new collaboration between Brickworks and acclaimed architecture firm Kennedy Nolan argues the conversation should also focus on the quality and longevity of the homes being built.
The project, titled Our Next Neighbourhood, examines how suburban housing could evolve in response to shrinking block sizes, rising energy costs, increasing density and changing family structures.
Rather than proposing luxury dream homes, the initiative focuses on what its creators describe as achievable suburban housing models that are more flexible, sustainable, and better suited to modern Australian life.
Brickworks commissioned Kennedy Nolan to investigate what suburban housing might look like if “design, long-term liveability and enduring materials were placed at the centre of the conversation”.
The result is two housing concepts, known as the Street Terrace and Canopy Terrace, which explore higher-density living while maintaining access to green space, natural light and privacy.
The designs incorporate adaptable floorplans that can evolve as family needs change, along with passive design principles intended to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
Brett Ward, General Manager of Marketing at Brickworks, said the company wanted to broaden the discussion around housing beyond simply increasing supply.
“Much of the housing conversation today is understandably focused on supply and affordability, but there is an equally important discussion to be had about the quality and longevity of the homes we build,” he said.
“We wanted to explore how thoughtful design, combined with durable, resilient materials, could create homes that not only function well today, but continue to support Australian families and communities long into the future.”
Kennedy Nolan said the project was partly inspired by concerns that contemporary housing often struggles to adapt to changing household structures and environmental pressures.
The architects said innovation in suburban housing was “essential” to address changing family groupings, energy use, urban heat island effects and growing disconnection from place.
According to the design team, the concepts draw on lessons from some of Australia’s most influential housing projects while seeking to create neighbourhoods with stronger links to landscape, community and local identity.
Rachel Nolan, founder of Kennedy Nolan, said the practice saw an opportunity to reimagine suburban housing as something “more connected to our climate, our landscape, our communities and our Australian identity”.
The project comes as policymakers, developers and planners continue searching for ways to deliver more housing without sacrificing liveability, neighbourhood character or long-term sustainability.
As the season turns, Handpicked Wines’ latest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay releases reveal how subtle shifts in place shape what ends up in the glass.
Wealthy Aussies are swapping large family homes for high-end apartments, with sales of prestige units tripling over the past decade.
