Australian Million-Dollar Homes Surge: Sydney Tops, Young Buyers Struggle Amid Soaring Prices

May 15, 2025
Australian Million-Dollar Homes Surge: Sydney Tops, Young Buyers Struggle Amid Soaring Prices
  • Overall, home values have surged by 67.3% since 2015, a period during which less than 10% of homes were valued at $1 million or above.

  • The Reserve Bank of Australia reports that housing debt has escalated to 135% of income, up from 122% a decade ago, indicating growing financial strain on homeowners.

  • Despite strong employment and wage growth data, the RBA is expected to lower interest rates to 3.85% in an upcoming meeting, which could further influence the housing market.

  • Falling interest rates are likely to boost demand among home buyers, potentially driving property prices even higher and exacerbating the wealth gap.

  • Sydney leads the nation with the highest percentage of million-dollar homes, currently at 64.4%, and a median property value of $1,195,000 as of April 2025.

  • Research from CoreLogic reveals that more than one-third of homes in Australia are now valued at $1 million or higher.

  • Brisbane follows with 40.2% of homes exceeding $1 million, while Melbourne's figure has decreased to 30.9% from 33.1% in January 2022, largely due to rising interest rates.

  • In Perth and Adelaide, just over 25% of homes are priced at $1 million or more, with values continuing to rise in the post-COVID-19 landscape.

  • Conversely, Darwin shows a stark contrast, with only 1.3% of homes valued at $1 million, highlighting significant regional disparities in the property market.

  • Young Australians are increasingly facing barriers to home ownership as homes valued over $1 million become more common, with income growth lagging behind rising property values.

  • Eliza Owen, head of research at CoreLogic, emphasizes the decline in home ownership rates among younger, low-income households, who struggle to keep pace with escalating property values.

  • As the average age of first-time home buyers rises, wealthier households are opting to rent longer, intensifying competition for low-income renters.

Summary based on 1 source


Get a daily email with more Australia News stories

Source

Mind the gap: $1 million homes driving up wealth divide

More Stories