

What’s the median house price in Canberra in 2025
Canberra has always been a distinctive market compared to the larger east coast capitals. With a strong public sector workforce, stable demand and limited land supply, the city often defies national trends.
Whether you’re a first home buyer, an investor or thinking about relocating, knowing the median house price in Canberra is an essential step in planning your next move.
The median house price acts as a useful guidepost – it tells you what most buyers are paying and helps you benchmark what’s realistic for your budget. It also shows how the Canberra property market is tracking overall, which can be helpful if you’re weighing up timing or comparing suburbs.
The current median house price in Canberra
As of June 2025, the median house price in Canberra was $1.04 million, marking an annual rise of 0.5%, according to PropTrack.
Overall, Canberra’s property market has remained resilient thanks to steady employment, high average incomes and the city’s relative affordability compared to Sydney.
Canberra property market trends
Canberra’s recent moderate growth follows a period of relative stabilisation in 2023 and early 2024, when prices cooled after the sharp increases during the pandemic years. In fact, when the pandemic hit in the March 2020 quarter, Domain data shows that Canberra’s median house price was $779,437 – making it the third most expensive city at the time, after Sydney and Melbourne.
From September 2021 to March 2022, Canberra’s median rose to sit second only to Sydney, reaching $1.18 million in mid-2022.
Looking ahead, Domain forecasts that house prices will enter the early stages of a recovery in FY26. Prices are expected to rise by about 4% (or approximately $39,000) over the year, reaching a median of $1.10 million by mid-2026. Factors supporting this growth include the city’s housing affordability and economic stability, while its low population growth and more responsive housing supply are the reasons why its growth outlook is not higher.
Factors influencing Canberra house prices
A few key factors help explain why Canberra’s property market moves the way it does:
Interest rates
Changes in the Reserve Bank of Australia’s cash rate have a direct impact on borrowing costs. As interest rates rose in 2022 and 2023, many buyers saw their borrowing capacity reduce, which contributed to slower price growth. More recently, expectations of lower rates have started to improve confidence.
Supply and demand
Canberra has long had limited land releases, which can keep supply tight and support prices. And although, in early 2025, the ACT government announced plans to release land for the construction of around 26,000 new homes across multiple sites in Canberra, this extra housing stock will take years to be delivered. In the meantime, supply pressures are likely to remain a factor in price trends.
Economic stability
The city’s large public sector workforce creates steady demand for housing, even when other markets slow. High average incomes also help support purchasing power compared to many regional locations.
Population growth
Canberra’s population growth has been more moderate than some larger capitals, which partly explains why price growth is not expected to return to the peaks of 2021-2022. Nonetheless, migration and natural increase still contribute to ongoing demand.
Housing affordability
Domain notes that Canberra’s comparatively low home price-to-income ratio makes it one of the more affordable capital cities, relative to local incomes. This affordability could attract buyers priced out of Sydney or Melbourne.
Government incentives
ACT home buyer concession schemes and stamp duty concessions can also play a role in supporting demand, particularly when combined with lower interest rates.
Canberra vs other capital cities
Compared to Australia’s largest markets, Canberra sits somewhere in the middle on price. According to PropTrack data for June 2025, Sydney remains the most expensive capital, with a median house price above $1.4 million. Melbourne follows with a median of $979,0000.
While Brisbane and Adelaide have seen stronger house price growth in recent years, they still trail Canberra overall.
Unlike some larger cities, Canberra doesn’t tend to experience sharp booms and busts. Its steady public sector employment and stable migration patterns have helped keep prices more consistent over time. While buyers relocating from Sydney may still see Canberra as comparatively affordable, the city’s house prices remain higher than many regional markets.
Understanding your borrowing capacity
While the median house price in Canberra can help you set expectations, it’s only a general guide. Your actual borrowing capacity will depend on your personal circumstances and how a lender assesses your situation.
Lenders typically look at:
- Your income and employment stability
- Existing debts, such as car loans or credit cards
- Living expenses
- The size of your deposit and whether you’ll need Lender’s Mortgage Insurance
- Your credit history
It’s also worth remembering that even though the median house price in Canberra sits above $1 million, there are still properties below this figure, especially in outer suburbs or those that offer older homes needing renovation. Getting pre-approval can give you a clearer picture of what you can afford before you start house hunting.
If you’d like help understanding how much you could borrow or what deposit you might need, talking to a Loan Market broker is a good place to start.
People also ask
How much deposit do I need for a house in Canberra?
Lenders typically require a 20% deposit which, based on the median house price in Canberra, is about $208,000. Some lenders may accept a deposit as low as 5%, but you’ll usually need to pay lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI), which can add thousands of dollars to your upfront costs.
However, the federal government’s Home Guarantee Scheme allows eligible buyers to purchase with as little as a 2% deposit without paying LMI.
Is it a good time to buy a house in Canberra?
The best time to buy is when you feel financially ready and have done your research, rather than trying to pick the perfect moment in the market. Property is a long-term investment, and prices naturally go through cycles of ups and downs.
That said, if you’re in a position to buy, it may be worth considering that some forecasts expect moderate price growth in the coming year. This means buying sooner could potentially help you avoid paying more if values rise as predicted.
What is the average rent in Canberra?
Rental prices vary by suburb and property type. According to Domain’s rental report for the March 2025 quarter, the median weekly rent for houses was around $700.
While renting can sometimes feel more affordable in the short term, it’s worth comparing the long-term costs. With interest rates stabilising and some price growth forecasted, buying could help you build equity over time instead of paying rent to a landlord.
Which Canberra suburbs are growing fastest?
Growth trends can vary over time and depend on factors such as new developments, infrastructure projects and buyer demand. It’s worth checking the most recent sales data or speaking with a local real estate agent or buyer’s agent to see which suburbs are showing the strongest price growth right now.
How long does it take to buy a house in Canberra?
The process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Pre-approval, house hunting, making an offer and settlement can all vary depending on your circumstances and the property.
Next steps for Canberra buyers
Whether you’re planning to buy your first home, invest or relocate, knowing the median house price in Canberra as well as understanding long-term Canberra housing market trends is a smart place to start. While prices have eased from their peaks, forecasts suggest moderate growth could return over the next year.
It’s important to look beyond the headlines and think about your own situation, including what you can afford to borrow and where you’d like to live. Talking to a reputable Loan Market broker in Canberra can help you feel more confident about your options, from deposit requirements to government incentives.
Ready to explore your home ownership dreams in Canberra? Contact Loan Market Canberra to get a clearer picture of what you can afford and how to navigate the current market. We’re here to help make your property journey seriously helpful.
Sources
https://www.realestate.com.au/insights/proptrack-home-price-index-june-2025/
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:ab423243-56cc-4de3-9218-8f211d8841b6
https://www.act.gov.au/our-canberra/latest-news/2025/june/budget-supports-more-homes-for-canberrans
https://www.revenue.act.gov.au/home-buyer-assistance/home-buyer-concession-scheme
https://www.housingaustralia.gov.au/home-guarantee-scheme
https://www.domain.com.au/research/rental-report/march-2025/#canberra