The Australian real estate market is thriving, with property prices on the rise. This pushes people to seek out the cheapest place to live in Australia while trying to remain on a budget.
Australia is a country of 27 million people.
Whether expat or citizen, we can all agree that the cost of living around the world is increasing.
For anyone looking to cut costs and buy property or find a rental in a cheaper neighbourhood, here are some of the cheapest places to live in Australia.
Looking for more affordable properties? Explore our round up of the 10 cheapest houses in Australia.
1. Coober Pedy, South Australia
- Median house price: $110,000
- Average rent price: $180/week
Coober Pedy is a suburb town in South Australia. It is an old mining town, and many residents still live underground in a bid to escape high heat levels in the area.
Want to find cheap houses for sale in South Australia? Coober Pedy and Andamooka should be at the top of your list.
The town is often referred to as the Opal capital of the world because of the amount of opals that can still be found there.
The town is a popular tourist stopover as it is situated between Adelaide and Alice Springs.
Coober Pedy is, one of, if not the cheapest place to live in Australia, with a very low cost of living and a close-knit community. If you’re trying to find where you can buy a home for under $100k, Coober Pedy should be on your list.
Here are more homes for sale in Coober Pedy.
2. Peterborough, South Australia
- Median house price: $148,500
- Average rent price: $195/week
If you love affordable country living, you should consider moving to Peterborough in South Australia – one of the cheapest country towns to live in Australia.
Peterborough was first named Petersburg, and it is located in South Australia.
It was one of the many places in the country renamed in 1917 due to the anti german sentiments from WW1. The town is popular for its railways.
Peterborough is a small town. However, 50% of the town’s population are from different parts of the world, making it a very diverse community and still closely knit.
Here are more homes for sale in Peterborough.
3. Port Pirie West, South Australia
- Median house price: $172,500
- Average rent price: $280/week
The town is often referred to as the ‘city of friendly people’. It is popular for its relaxed lifestyle and pristine surroundings, which is a contrast to the busy Adelaide.
While Port Pirie might not be one of the best country towns to live in Australia, it’s certainly one of the cheapest!
Unlike most suburbs in this list, Port Pirie has a larger population of around 18,000.
However, it has remained a friendly, safe, and cheap place to live in Australia.
Here are more homes for sale in Port Pirie.
4. Tara, Queensland
- Median house price: $165,000
- Average rent price: NA
Tara is a rural town in the Western Downs Region in Queensland. Land is affordable in Tara, and it’s popular for its sheep and cattle grazing area.
Although Tara is a rural community, it enjoys some of the best amenities the country offers, with excellent medical and school facilities.
It has a growing population of about 2,290 and is a very warm and friendly community, with communal events occurring regularly.
The town is one of the cheapest places to live in Australia, with a growing property market.
Here are more homes for sale in Tara.
5. Queenstown, Tasmania
- Median house price: $220,000
- Average rent price: $255/week
Queenstown is a town in the state of Tasmania. The town has long been synonymous with mining and is located in a valley on the western side of Mount Owen.
The weather in the town is great for rain lovers as the town receives the highest amount of rain on the entire island of Tasmania.
Queenstown has a population of just above 2000 people, making it safer than most towns as most people are acquainted with each other. Additionally, Tasmania is one of the cheapest states to buy property in Australia.
Here are more homes for sale in Queenstown.
6. Casterton, Victoria
- Median house price: $350,000
- Average rent price: NA
Casterton is located in Victoria, Australia. The Glenelg River passes through the town, and this is a very popular landmark for the people of the town.
Casterton is also the birthplace of the Kelpie breed, which is celebrated with an annual event for the Australian Kelpie Muster.
Living in this small town comes with its perks. Casterton is a vibrant and close-knit community with clubs, schools, and other facilities available to locals and other visiting people.
The town also has several attractions, ranging from the Glenelg River to the Australian Kelpie centre and the Island park that locals and tourists enjoy.
Here are more homes for sale in Casterton.
7. Coonamble, New South Wales
- Median house price: $187,500
- Average rent price: $250
Coonamble is one of the cheapest places to live in Australia and definitely one of the cheapest places to live in NSW. It is known as the hub for wheat growing, sheep rearing, and wool production.
The town has a lot of art deco buildings for art lovers and several country pubs and is popular for its country hospitality.
It is home to the largest rodeo and campdraft in the country, with a population of about 3,000 people.
If you ever think of moving to Coonamble, go for it! You’ll enjoy a great culture and a humble, rural community.
Here are more homes for sale in Coonamble.
8. Manunda, Queensland
- Median house price: 450,000
- Average rent price: $475/week
Located in the Cairns region of Queensland, Manunda is structured in a way that the southern part is mostly residential.
In contrast, the northern part is close to the CBD and offers all the convenient amenities such as parks and sports ground.
The town is great for people just starting a family with excellent schools and daycares and access to almost everything.
It has a population of about 5,390 people, and they are a close community. Over the years, it has drawn many investors and buyers alike by the affordable fixer uppers which are renovated into solid, beautiful properties.
Here are more homes for sale in Manunda.
9. Charleville, QLD
- Median house price: $150,000
- Average rent price: $250/week
Charleville takes the top spot as the cheapest place to live in Australia.
The town is the perfect location if you love a small, quiet life and want to get away from the hustle of the city.
Charleville is 8 hours from Brisbane by car and has a population of about 3000 people.
A fun fact about Charleville is that the military used the airport as a secret base during World War II.
Here are more homes for sale in Charleville.
10. Rangeway, WA
- Median house price: $190,000
- Average rent price: $350/week
If you love the beach, you will have an amazing time every day if you move to Rangewood.
Residents of Rangewood enjoy the city lifestyle without having to live in the noisy city. This is because the suburb is very close to Geraldton.
Roughly 2000 people live in Rangeway, and the suburb features schools, hospitals, and other vital amenities.
Here are more homes for sale in Rangeway. You might also want to check out our feature on the cheapest beachfront property in Australia – look before it’s gone!
Additional reading: Check out Soho’s round up of 5 Homes Under 100k You Can Buy Right Now.
Some FAQs on the cheapest places to live in Australia
What is the cheapest suburb to live in Australia?
The cheapest suburb to live in Australia varies but one of the cheapest suburbs is Andamooka in South Australia. The median house price in Andamooka is just $68,000.
Soho’s guide on the Suburbs Where Median House Prices Are Under $200,000 rounds up all the most affordable areas in Australia.
What is the cheapest city to live in Australia?
One of the cheapest cities to live in Australia is Charleville in Queensland. The median house price in Mount Isa is just $145,000.
How to afford rent in Australia?
There are a few things you can do to afford rent in Australia.
- First, you can try to find a roommate to share your rent with. This can help you to save a significant amount of money each month.
- Second, you can look for properties in less expensive areas, such as regional towns or suburbs.
- Third, you can consider renting a smaller property or one that is in need of some repairs.
- Fourth, you can negotiate with your landlord to see if they are willing to offer you a lower rent.
- Fifth, you can look for government assistance programs that can help you to pay your rent.
What city has the highest rent in Australia?
The city with the highest rent in Australia is Sydney. The median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Sydney is $650 per week.
Where is the cheapest place to live?
The cheapest place to live in Australia is in Western Australia and South Australia. The median house price in Western Australia is just $400,000.
The cheapest cities in Western Australia include Geraldton, Port Hedland, and Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The cheapest suburbs in South Australia are Elizabeth North and Munno Para.
Here are some additional tips for saving money on rent in Australia:
- Shop around for the best deal. Compare prices from different real estate agents and landlords.
- Sign a longer lease. If you can afford to, signing a longer lease may help you to get a better deal on rent.
- Be a good tenant. Pay your rent on time, keep the property clean and tidy, and report any maintenance issues promptly.
Which part of Australia has the lowest cost of living?
When it comes to the lowest cost of living in Australia, there are a few areas that stand out. Some of the most affordable cities in terms of cost of living include Hobart, Adelaide, and Perth.
These cities tend to have lower housing costs and a more relaxed pace of life compared to some of the more expensive cities like Sydney or Melbourne.
Which state in Australia has the cheapest houses?
In terms of the cheapest houses in Australia, there are a few states that tend to have more affordable real estate markets. Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia are generally considered to be more affordable than other states like New South Wales or Victoria.
Of course, housing costs can vary widely within each state, so it’s important to do your research and find a trusted real estate agent to find the right property for you.
Also something that won’t surprise you—living away from the capital cities will help you secure more budget friendly deals. Coastal towns are also notoriously pricey, so look for the cheaper beach towns if you’re after that sort of lifestyle.
What is the cheapest state to rent in Australia?
When it comes to renting in Australia, the state with the cheapest prices will depend on a variety of factors, including location, rental demand, and the size and quality of the property.
Generally speaking, though, some of the more affordable states to rent in include Tasmania, South Australia, and Queensland. These areas tend to have more affordable housing markets overall, which can translate into lower rental prices.
Again, it’s important to do your research and work with a reputable real estate agent to find the best deals on rentals in Australia.
