The price women pay: less savings, less super and more financial stress than men
The average aspiring female property purchaser needs to work three more years than a man to accumulate a 20 percent deposit for a house, a new report has shown
3 min
Australian women are facing more financial stress than men, with the cost-of-living crisis and high interest rates pushing more than 7 million women into financial difficulty, a new report by Finder shows. Women also have less savings, superannuation and fewer investments than men, and six in 10 Australian women say they are enjoying life less than they were a year ago due to money worries.
As International Women’s Day gets underway on Friday, Finder’s personal finance expert, Sarah Megginson, said cost of living pressures are having an outsized impact on women. “Millions of women have found themselves experiencing higher levels of financial worry, especially as rents and mortgages have soared, putting a lot of pressure on your budget.”
The report found 69 percent of women are experiencing financial stress today compared to 49 percent of men. Housing expenses are causing the most strain, with 42 percent of female homeowners finding it hard to make their home loan repayments compared to 32 percent of men. Due to women earning less, the average aspiring female property purchaser needs to work three more years than a man to accumulate a 20 percent deposit for a house. Among renters, 48 percent of women surveyed by Finder are struggling to pay the rent compared to 40 percent of men.
Women also have 53 percent less cash savings than men. The average woman has $22,680 in savings and puts away $551 a month. The average man has $48,087 saved and squirrels away $832 per month. In January 2022, women had 15 weeks’ worth of savings. Two years later, this has fallen to less than 13 weeks, while men’s savings have marginally increased from 17.9 weeks’ worth to 18.3 weeks now.
Making ends meet for the basics of life means women are investing less than men, Ms Megginson said. The average Australian male investor has $88,775 invested in shares, which is double that of the average woman, who has $45,125 invested.
“The outsized impact of cost of living pressures on women has likely restricted their ability to invest,” Ms Megginson said. “Right now, the focus is on immediate needs – housing, everyday bills and groceries – which means longer-term wealth building gets put on the back burner. The research shows us that women are actually really great at keeping their debt levels down and saving – they generally outperform men in this regard. Still, their long-term wealth suffers.”
Last month the Federal Government released the first gender pay gap report comparing the wages and salaries of men and women employed at nearly 5,000 private sector companies. The results show that 50 percent of employers have a gender pay gap of more than 9.1 percent, and 62 percent of median employer gender pay gaps are more than five percent and favour men.
Diana Mousina, deputy chief economist at AMP, said that while unconscious gender biases in the workplace exist, other factors also contribute to the gap. This includes a lower female labour participation rate of 62.6percent compared to 71.1 percent for men, and a higher proportion of women working part-time. This is largely due to women taking a greater share of child care responsibilities within families. Women also dominate lower–paid industries that offer more flexible hours, such as health care and social assistance, while men dominate the lucrative construction, mining and energy industries where there is higher risk and less flexibility.
Ms Megginson said women retire with far less superannuation than men. The latest data published by the Australian Taxation Office shows men had about 20 percent more in superannuation than women on 30 June 2021. Yesterday, Federal Labor announced it would pay superannuation on top of government-funded paid parental leave from 1 July 2025 if it wins the next election.
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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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