Is Regional Living the Key to a More Affordable Home Loan?
Aussies Are Moving to Regional Areas Like Never Before
Fresh air, fewer traffic jams, and more affordable home prices—it’s no surprise that regional living is gaining popularity across Australia.
According to Commonwealth Bank research, metro-to-regional relocations are now 20% higher than pre-COVID.
For many buyers, the appeal is clear:
✅ A laidback lifestyle
✅ Lower home prices compared to capital cities
✅ The opportunity to reduce mortgage repayments
Where Are Australians Moving?
The Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland leads the charge, securing 16% of net internal migration in the past 12 months.
Other popular regional hotspots include:
📍 Gold Coast, Wollongong, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Geelong & Fraser Coast
📍 Moorabool, Alexandrina, Busselton, Capel, Greater Geraldton & Albany
💡 Explore Australia’s top property hotspots
Regional Home Prices vs. City Prices
Housing affordability is a major driver behind regional migration.
📌 Median home value in capital cities: $864,780
📌 Median home value in regional markets: $626,888
That’s a $237,892 difference—with the savings far greater in some locations.
For instance, in Sydney, the median house value is $1,441,957.
Head to regional NSW, and you could pay around $760,000 for a house—saving close to $680,000!
💡 Compare property prices across Australian markets
Can Regional Living Reduce Your Home Loan Repayments?
A lower purchase price not only reduces stamp duty, but it can also cut mortgage costs significantly.
Let’s compare a capital city home vs. a regional home:
🏡 Capital city home:
- Purchase price: $864,780
- 20% deposit: $173,000
- Home loan: $692,000
- Monthly repayments: $4,329
🌿 Regional home:
- Purchase price: $626,888
- 20% deposit: $173,000
- Home loan: $454,000
- Monthly repayments: $2,840
That’s a monthly saving of $1,489—extra cash for your home, lifestyle, or savings.
💡 Use our mortgage calculators to compare repayments
Will Your Property Still Grow in Value?
While capital growth depends on market conditions, recent data is promising:
📌 Regional home values: ↑ 51.1% ($212,000) since March 2020
📌 Capital city home values: ↑ 31.5% ($207,000) since March 2020
Despite different percentages, the dollar-value growth in both markets has been similar.
💡 See how regional property values have increased
Ready to Make the Move? CBM Mortgages Can Help!
Regional living isn’t for everyone, but if you’re dreaming of a more affordable mortgage, it’s worth exploring your options.
At CBM Mortgages, we help buyers:
✅ Compare regional home loan rates
✅ Find lenders offering competitive mortgages
✅ Use loan calculators to assess affordability
📞 Contact CBM Mortgages today and start planning your move!
Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is presented for informative purposes. It is not intended to constitute tax or financial advice, whether general or personal nor is it intended to imply any recommendation or opinion about a financial product. It does not take into consideration your personal situation and may not be relevant to circumstances. Before taking any action, consider your own particular circumstances and seek professional advice. This content is protected by copyright laws and various other intellectual property laws. It is not to be modified, reproduced or republished without prior written consent.
Written by Craig McDonald 13/06/2025
