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In some states, that means an increase of over $250 a week compared to pre-pandemic levels.
How does your state compare?
Tasmanians now pay $430 a week on average, up from $270 before the pandemic.
Western Australia has had the steepest rise in rents, but NSW has the highest median rental price. Source: SBS News
Here’s how median weekly rent looks across the country:
- NSW: $650 (Previously: $480)
- Western Australia: $613 (Previously: $350)
- ACT: $595 (Previously: $480)
- Northern Territory: $560 (Previously: $430)
- Queensland: $560 (Previously: $380)
- Victoria: $520 (Previously: $385)
- South Australia: $495 (Previously: $325)
- Tasmania: $430 (Previously: $270)
Rental inflation has finally slowed across capital cities — but it’s still cheaper to live in regional areas. Source: SBS News
Is living further from the CBD cheaper?
Right now, rents in capital cities are still high — but that growth has started to slow. As of April 2025, annual rental inflation in capital cities has eased to around 5.5 per cent, down from a peak of 8.5 per cent in late 2023.
While rents in some regional areas have caught up, it’s still a more affordable rental option than the CBD — though the gap has narrowed in recent years.
The data says it could be cheaper to live just outside of the CBD. Source: SBS News
Should you stay or should you go?
Existing tenants haven’t been spared either. Around 82 per cent of renters who stayed in place experienced a rent increase by late 2023.
Even if you choose to stay, you might still be hit with a rental increase. Around 82 per cent of renters who stayed in place experienced a rent increase by late 2023. Source: SBS News
