What are the 10 most affordable places to live in Australia?

How to find a gem of a property for under $100,000

What are the 10 most affordable places to live in Australia?

While most are still feeling the effects of Australia’s housing crunch, there is still hope—especially if you don’t mind living in a smaller town. In fact, there are a few communities on this list with a median house price under $100,000—in addition to beautiful scenery, location, and amenities abound. Here are the 10 most affordable places to live in Australia.

Coober Pedy, South Australia

A suburban community in South Australia, Coober Pedy’s median house price is $72,000 and its average rent price is $180 per week (or $720 per month). Coober Pedy is often called the opal capital of the world due to the high levels of the mineral that are found there. As an old mining town, many of Coober Pedy’s residents continue to live underground to escape the heat in the region.

A popular tourist stop between Adelaide and Alice Springs, this town is one of the cheapest places to live in the entire country—if not the cheapest. The cost of living here is low, and as an added bonus, it is a tight-knit community.

Peterborough, South Australia

The median house price in Peterborough, also in South Australia, is $101,000. This is an affordable country town, with about half of the population hailing from different parts of the world to create an extremely diverse and close-knit community.

Interesting fact: formerly named Petersburg, Peterborough was one of the many Australian communities renamed in 1917 because of anti-German sentiments that remained after the First World War. Now, this community is popular for its railways.

Port Pirie West, South Australia

Referred to as the “city of friendly people”, Port Pirie West in South Australia offers its residents and visitors alike beautiful natural surroundings and a relaxed lifestyle. The median house price here is $116,000 and the average rent price is $250 per week ($1,000 per month). With a population hovering around 18,000 people, Port Pirie West is a safe, friendly, and above all inexpensive community to live in.

Tara, Queensland

Popular for its cattle and sheep grazing, Tara, Queensland is a rural town situated in the Western Downs Region. This community of nearly 3,000 people is also known for being one of the most inexpensive places to live in the country—and with an expanding property market. The median house price in Tara is $125,000 and the region also offers top-rate school and medical facilities.

Queenstown, Tasmania

The median house price in Queenstown, Tasmania, is $170,000 and the average rent price is $250 per week ($1,000 per month). Known for its mining, this community’s population is around 2,000. It is also located in a valley on the west side of Mount Owen and offers great weather if you enjoy the rain—in fact, the town gets the highest level of rain in all Tasmania.

Casterton, Victoria

Casterton, Victoria is famous for the Glenelg River that passes through it and for being the birthplace of the Kelpie breed. The median house price in this close-knit, vibrant community is $300,000. It also offers several attractions such as the Australian Kelpie centre and the Island park for both tourists and locals alike.

Coonamble, New South Wales

Known for sheep rearing and wool production, as well as a hub for wheat growing, Coonamble in New South Wales is one of the cheapest places to live in all of Australia. The median house price here is $127,000 and the average rent price is $200 per week ($800 per month). With a population of roughly 3,000 residents, Coonamble is also home to the biggest campdraft and rodeo in Australia, offers several country pubs, and also boasts several art deco buildings.

Manunda, Queensland

One of the pricier towns on this list, Manunda, Queensland, remains comparatively affordable, with a median house price at $386,000 and an average rent price of $470 per week ($1,880 per month). This community of some 5,400 residents is divided between the northern part with amenities like a sports grounds and parks and a southern part that is predominantly residential. This is a popular community among young families, offering top daycares and schools.

Charleville, Queensland

Charleville in Queensland rivals Coober Pedy as the cheapest place to live in Australia on this list. The median house price in Charleville is $75,000 and the average rent is $230 per week ($920 per month). With a population numbering around 3,000 residents, this community is an eight-hour drive from Brisbane. Interesting fact: Charleville’s airport was used as a secret base during the Second World War.

Rangeway, Western Australia

The median house price in Rangeway, Western Australia, is $105,500 and the average rent price is $260 per week ($1,040 per month). This is a popular destination for anyone who loves the beach. With a population of about 2,000 residents, this suburb of Geraldton offers great schools, hospitals and amenities.