House Ownership in Melbourne: A Growing Challenge

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

This gap has widened significantly over the years. Back in December 2014, the price difference was $121,322, a figure more than doubled today. Looking even further back to December 2004, the disparity was only $47,976, illustrating how housing affordability has shifted over time.

A similar trend is observed across various capital cities in Australia. Using PropTrack data, it's clear that since 2010, house prices in these cities have surged by around 123%, whereas units have only risen by 64%.

Tim Lawless, CoreLogic's head of research, explained that this growing gap implies that purchasing a unit no longer automatically leads to an eventual upgrade to a detached home. He stated, “Buying a unit probably used to be a bit of a stepping stone. You buy into the apartment sector and then hope to eventually upgrade into a larger, detached home, but with such a big price difference, and the fact that it’s probably been a lot harder for unit owners to accrue equity, that upgrading step is a lot more challenging now.”

Brendan Coates from the Grattan Institute observes this from a land value perspective: “Land is scarce, and therefore it’s valuable, so if you want to have that backyard, you are going to pay a premium for it. Not everyone can have a freestanding house, and that means there’s more competition for the limited number of freestanding homes that exist.”

The outlook is that the chasm between unit and house prices will continue to grow as cities expand and population numbers soar. The Urban Taskforce has projected dramatic changes, specifically noting that the share of detached houses in Sydney may decline to only 25% by 2057.

This transformation will echo across Australia’s capital cities as challenges associated with housing density and population growth come to the fore. Increased migration rates continue to exert upward pressure on property prices and rental costs, pushing affordable housing further out of reach for many urban dwellers.

The availability of detached houses is dwindling, resulting in soaring prices and fewer households having the luxury of a backyard, altering the property landscape of Australian cities.

Such developments suggest that future homeowners and city planners alike must adapt to changing trends in housing affordability and preferences, considering alternative living arrangements or innovative urban planning solutions.

Published:Thursday, 30th Jan 2025
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Finance News

Clear

What ASIC’s Car Finance Findings Mean for Jetski Buyers

04 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

ASIC’s 24 June 2026 review of car finance has put a sharp spotlight on how asset loans are sold, priced and managed in Australia. While the report focused on motor vehicles rather than personal watercraft, the lessons are highly relevant for anyone considering jetski loans, especially where finance is arranged through a dealer, broker or other third-party distributor. - read more

Why SME Structure Decisions Can Shape Future Finance Options

04 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian SMEs are being urged to treat tax structure as a strategic finance decision, not simply an administrative task at launch. A recent Dynamic Business expert panel highlighted how early choices between operating as a sole trader, company, trust or partnership can become difficult and costly to unwind once revenue, assets, staff and outside investment enter the picture. - read more

New-Customer Rate Cuts Put Refinancers Back in Play

04 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s June pause has not stopped lenders from competing for new mortgage business. While the cash rate remains at 4.35 per cent after three increases earlier in 2026, a fresh wave of lender discounting suggests the refinancing market is becoming more active again, particularly for borrowers willing to move rather than wait for broad rate relief. - read more

Right to Repair Push Could Change Farm Machinery Decisions

03 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s proposed expansion of right to repair rules to agricultural machinery has become a timely issue for farmers who rely on tractors, headers, seeders, sprayers and other high-value equipment to keep seasonal work on track. The Federal Government’s consultation on extending the existing repair information framework to farm machinery closes on 3 July 2026, bringing the sector closer to a potential shift in how service and repair access is managed. - read more

Why personal loan comparison matters for July borrowers

03 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Australia’s personal loan market has entered July with a clear message for households and small business owners: the advertised rate is only the starting point. Recent rate tables show a wide gap between the most competitive personal loan offers and the upper end of the market, particularly for unsecured borrowing. That spread matters because two applicants seeking the same loan amount can face very different total repayment outcomes depending on credit profile, product type, fees and loan term. - read more

Click for more Finance News