Brisbane has experienced significant price growth since 2021 and is now Australia’s third most expensive major capital. In April 2026, the median dwelling price in Greater Brisbane is approximately $900,000 for houses and $630,000 for units. A single buyer targeting the median Brisbane house needs approximately $135,000–$160,000 gross per year.
Brisbane Median Property Prices (April 2026)
| Property type | Approximate median price |
|---|---|
| Houses — Greater Brisbane | ~$900,000 |
| Units — Greater Brisbane | ~$630,000 |
| Houses — Inner Brisbane (≤10km) | ~$1,400,000–$2,500,000 |
| Houses — Middle ring (10–20km) | ~$900,000–$1,300,000 |
| Houses — Outer ring / growth areas | ~$600,000–$900,000 |
| Units — Metro areas | ~$500,000–$750,000 |
Approximate estimates based on CoreLogic and ABS data at April 2026. Brisbane’s market grew strongly in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
Income Required by Property Type
| Property type | Price (est.) | 20% deposit | Loan | Monthly repayment (6%) | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane median house | $900,000 | $180,000 | $720,000 | $4,316 | ~$135,000–$160,000 |
| Brisbane median unit | $630,000 | $126,000 | $504,000 | $3,022 | ~$95,000–$115,000 |
| Inner Brisbane house (~$1.5M) | $1,500,000 | $300,000 | $1,200,000 | $7,194 | ~$220,000–$260,000 |
| Middle ring house (~$1M) | $1,000,000 | $200,000 | $800,000 | $4,796 | ~$150,000–$175,000 |
| Outer suburb house (~$700k) | $700,000 | $140,000 | $560,000 | $3,357 | ~$105,000–$125,000 |
Brisbane Affordability by Suburb Tier
Inner Brisbane (≤10km from CBD)
Suburbs: New Farm, Teneriffe, South Brisbane, West End, Fortitude Valley, Paddington (Qld), Highgate Hill
- Median house price: $1,400,000–$2,500,000+
- Income required (single): $215,000–$375,000+
- Income required (couple): $275,000–$450,000+
Middle Ring (10–20km)
Suburbs: Carindale, Holland Park, Mount Gravatt, Coorparoo, Stafford, Chermside, The Gap
- Median house price: $850,000–$1,200,000
- Income required (single): $130,000–$185,000
- Income required (couple): $170,000–$230,000
Outer Ring / Growth Corridors (20–40km)
Suburbs: Ipswich, Logan, Springfield, Caboolture, Moreton Bay, Redlands
- Median house price: $550,000–$800,000
- Income required (single): $90,000–$125,000
- Income required (couple): $120,000–$165,000
First Home Buyer Concessions in Queensland
| Concession | Detail |
|---|---|
| Stamp duty exemption | Properties up to $500,000 for FHBs (transfer duty) |
| Stamp duty concession | $500,001–$550,000 (concessional rate) |
| First Home Guarantee | Up to $700,000 in QLD (5% deposit, no LMI) |
| First Home Owner Grant | $30,000 for new builds (Queensland currently offers enhanced FHOG) |
Strategic note: Queensland’s First Home Guarantee cap of $700,000 and stamp duty exemption threshold of $500,000 mean that Brisbane’s current median prices ($900,000 houses) are largely beyond the reach of FHB concessions. However, outer suburb properties at $550,000–$700,000 remain within concession territory.
Queensland also offers one of Australia’s more generous first home owner grants for new builds ($30,000 as at 2026 — verify current amount as this figure is periodically updated by the Queensland Government).
Deposit Requirements in Brisbane
| Purchase price | 20% deposit | Stamp duty (QLD, non-FHB est.) | Total savings needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| $700,000 | $140,000 | ~$26,775 | ~$170,000 |
| $800,000 | $160,000 | ~$31,275 | ~$195,000 |
| $900,000 | $180,000 | ~$35,775 | ~$220,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $200,000 | ~$40,275 | ~$245,000 |
Brisbane vs Sydney and Melbourne
| Metric | Brisbane | Melbourne | Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median house price | ~$900,000 | ~$940,000 | ~$1,450,000 |
| Median unit price | ~$630,000 | ~$620,000 | ~$840,000 |
| Income needed (median house, single) | ~$135,000–$160,000 | ~$140,000–$165,000 | ~$220,000–$260,000 |
| FHB Guarantee cap | $700,000 | $800,000 | $900,000 |
| Strong economic driver | 2032 Olympics infrastructure | State government projects | Continued tech and finance growth |
Brisbane and Melbourne are now very similar in median price terms — both significantly more affordable than Sydney.
Strategies for Brisbane Buyers
Outer suburbs offer strong value. Moreton Bay, Logan, Ipswich, and Redlands offer established houses in the $550,000–$800,000 range — within FHB Guarantee territory and offering infrastructure investment from the 2032 Olympics corridor.
New build incentives. Queensland’s first home owner grant for new builds ($30,000) is one of the most generous in Australia. If you’re a first home buyer willing to purchase a new property, this is worth factoring in.
Units in inner Brisbane. Units at $550,000–$700,000 in the inner and middle rings are accessible on a single $95,000–$120,000 income and positioned well for rental yield (Brisbane yields are stronger than Sydney).
Track infrastructure spending. Major transport and venue infrastructure for the 2032 Olympics is expected to boost values in corridors around Olympic venues and transport nodes (South-East corridor, Ipswich line area).
FAQ
What salary do you need to buy a house in Brisbane?
For Brisbane’s median house (~$900,000) with a 20% deposit, approximately $135,000–$160,000 single income is needed. For outer suburb houses at $650,000–$750,000, $100,000–$130,000 is more achievable. Couples on $170,000–$200,000 combined are well-positioned for the Brisbane median.
Has Brisbane become expensive?
Yes — Brisbane has seen very strong price growth since 2021, with dwelling values increasing by approximately 50–60% from the pandemic low. This has closed much of the affordability gap with Melbourne. However, Brisbane still offers better value than Sydney and represents a more accessible entry point for interstate migrants.
Property prices are approximate, based on publicly available data at April 2026. For advice tailored to your situation, speak with a licensed mortgage broker. Find one through MoneySmart.