Brisbane’s most affordable and liveable suburbs have been revealed, but there is some bad news for buyers.
Melbourne is officially more affordable than Brisbane, with the southern capital now offering more suburbs at accessible prices.
Now, Brisbane’s most affordable and liveable suburbs are those that only a few years ago would have been largely avoided by buyers but with home values continuing to rise, these once maligned suburbs are taking their turn in the spotlight.
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Brisbane’s median home price is higher than Melbourne.
The latest PRD Smart Moves report for Brisbane shows that median property prices in the River City rose 6.8 per cent between Q1-2024 and Q1-2025, albeit it at a slower level quarter-on-quarter.
“For the first time, Melbourne eclipsed Brisbane and Hobart in terms of having the highest percentage of affordable suburbs for units,” the report by PRD chief economist Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo said.
“Melbourne recorded 42.9 per cent of affordable suburbs, much higher than Brisbane’s 38.7 per cent and slightly higher than Hobart’s 41 per cent.
“Compared to the 2nd Half 2024 report, the percentage of affordable suburbs has declined for all capital cities and almost all stock types.
“The largest decline is in Brisbane units. In the 2nd Half 2024 report, there were 60.3 per cent affordable unit suburbs.
“This proportion has dramatically declined to 38.7 per cent.”
To be considered both affordable and liveable, the chosen suburbs needed to have a median sales price below that of the city median, while also offering amenities, lower crime rates, an a lower unemployment rate.
The report noted that the decline in Brisbane “suggests a clear undersupply for both property types, as there is reduced sales volume and continued price growth”.
It noted that $21.3 billion of projects are planned in Brisbane Metro in 2025, focusing on mixed-use and infrastructure developments, some of which are aimed at increasing supply.
“However, there is an emphasis on constructing more townhouses (2262), units (10,108), and residential lots (13,194) rather than stand-alone houses (186),” the report said..
“This suggests that the undersupply of stand-alone houses will persist, which will drive up median property prices further for all stock types.”
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33 Libra Street, Inala, is listed for $750,000
The report also looked at top growth suburbs where median prices have soared.
In the inner ring, the top performers were Lutwyche (houses, 21.8% growth) and Balmoral (units, 41.8% growth).
In the city’s north, Virginia ruled for houses (+35.8%) and Boondall for units (+35.5%).
The top performers in the city’s south were Rocklea (houses, 34.4%) and Woodridge (units, +43.4%).
To the east, Birkdale was the winner for houses (+28.3%), while for units it was Alexandra Hills (+39.9%).
And to the west, Moggil reigned supreme for houses (+28.9%), while for units, Mitchelton came in tops with 38.6 per cent growth.
“The average vendor discounts between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025 have swung from a premium to a neutral zero per cent for houses, indicating a balanced house market where neither buyers nor sellers hold a clear advantage,” the report said.
“Units are still attracting a premium, but it has lessened to a premium of 1.4 per cent.
“The unit market still favours sellers, mostly because house buyers need to re-route their
preferences.
“But a swing away from high premiums suggests a market shift – one that is ideal for buyers.”
PRD SMART MOVES REPORT: Brisbane price brackets
The median sales price for houses in Brisbane is now $989,000, while for units it is $698,000.
The report revealed that the dominant proportion of homes sold in Brisbane Metro across 2024/25 were in the most affordable price bracket of less than $849,999 (43.8%) for houses and less than $549,999 (33.1%) for units.
“This presents an encouraging opportunity for home buyers,” the report found.
“Strong sales were also seen in the premium price point, with 30 per cent of houses sold at $1.15 million and above and 19.7 per cent of units sold at $850,000 and above, signalling positive prospects for owners of both property types.”
28 Bindi Street, Logan Central, is listed for $950,000+
The report found that both the house and unit markets in Brisbane Metro had yet to reach their peak of the market.
12 Oregano Close, Griffin, is listed for offers over $849,000
For renters, house rental yields in Brisbane Metro sat at 3.2 per cent as of March, outperforming Sydney (2.7%) and Melbourne (3.1%).
The vacancy rate in Brisbane (0.9%) was also lower than that of Sydney (1.3%) and Melbourne (1.5%).
35 Janice Street, Slacks Creek, is listed for offers over $749,000
***
TOP 10 AFFORDABLE AND LIVEABLE SUBURBS
BRISBANE
HOUSES: Coopers Plains, Springwood, Taigum, Griffin, Slacks Creek, Lawnton, Inala, Alexandra Hills, Logan Central, Zillmere
UNITS: Bowen Hills, Albion, Upper Mount Gravatt, Nundah, Springwood, Griffin, Slacks Creek, Lawnton, Zillmere, Spring Hill
***
GOLD COAST
HOUSES: Pimpama, Coomera, Nerang, Upper Coomera, Jacobs Well, Pacific Pines, Labrador, Southport, Arundel, Parkwood
UNITS: Nerang, Southport, Biggera Waters, Labrador, Pimpama, Pacific Pines, Coomera, Surfers Paradise, Parkwood, Robina
***
SYDNEY
HOUSES: Condell Park, Guildford, Sefton, Chester Hill, Punchbowl, Greenacre, Granville, Lakemba, Auburn, Merrylands
UNITS: Sefton, Roselands, Belmore, Punchbowl, Narwee, Granville, Lakemba, Auburn, Merrylands, Harris Park
***
MELBOURNE
HOUSES: Williams Landing, Heidelberg West, St Albans, Sunshine North, Thomastown, Epping, Tullamarine, Truganina, Lalor, Sunshine West
UNITS: Maribyrnong, North Melbourne, Kensington, Williams Landing, South Yarra, Ormond, St Albans, Hawthorn, Epping, Carlton
***
ADELAIDE
HOUSES: Northfield, Bowden, Blair Athol, Salisbury North, Ridgehaven, Salisbury, Woodville Gardens, Taperoo, Para Hills, Modbury North
UNITS: Para Hills West, Adelaide, Royal Park, Seacliff, Daw Park, Para Hills, Glynde, Keswick, Northfield, Alberton
***
HOBART
HOUSES: Goodwood, Mornington, Lutana, Warrane, Clarendon Vale, Geilston Bay, Berriedale, Rokeby, Risdon Vale, Glenorchy
UNITS: Moonah, Goodwood, Mornington, Lutana, Mount Nelson, Clarendon Vale, Berriedale, Risdon Vale, Glenorchy, New Town
(Source: PRD Smart Moves Capital Cities 1st Half 2025)
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