The great migration to regional Queensland continues, with new research showing that for every family moving out, 2.48 are moving in.
New insights from Muval’s Family Relocation Report — based on over 41,000 family moves across Australia over the past six years — shows that regional Queensland recorded the highest inbound-to-outbound ratio in the country.
It found that Brisbane was both a key departure point and a driver of this regional boom, with one in four families leaving Greater Brisbane relocating to regional Queensland for more space and a slower pace of life, all while staying within reach of jobs and services.
But regional Queensland is also attracting families from further afield, including 22.3 per cent from Greater Sydney and 21.9 per cent from Greater Melbourne.
More families are leaving Sydney than moving in. Photo – iStock
Muval CEO and co-founder James Morrell said that affordability and liveability were key drivers,
“Regional Queensland offers the perfect blend of lifestyle and value,” Morrell said.
“Families are chasing space, beaches, and better living conditions, without the financial pressure of a big-city mortgage.
“We’re seeing families make deliberate decisions — some are upgrading, others are downsizing — but the common goal is creating a better life.”
The Sunshine Coast alone is experiencing a massive influx, with 3.28 families arriving for every one that leaves, the analysis revealed.
The Sunshine Coast is the top destination. Photo – iStock
Bunbury in Western Australia came in second with an inbound-outbound ratio of 2.89, followed by Mandurah (WA) and Wide Bay (Qld) at 2.71.
The regions with the highest net migration also included WA’s Wheat Belt (2.54), Cairns (2.19), South East Tasmania (2.15), Central Queensland (2.04), Gold Coast (1.99) and West and North West Tasmania (1.96).
This house in Bayview Heights, a suburb in Cairns, is listed for offers over $979,000
At the other end of the spectrum was Sydney City and Inner South with a net‑negative family migration of 0.18, followed by Melbourne Inner (0.23), Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs (0.32), Parramatta (0.42) and Inner West (0.45).
“Greater Sydney has experienced the highest loss of families, with a ratio of just 0.31, meaning that for every family that moved in, more than three have moved out,” the report revealed.
“This may reflect the city’s soaring cost of living, rising property prices, and a growing desire among families for more space and less congestion.”
All of the regions where more families are moving out than moving in were in Sydney, Melbourne and the ACT.
Source: Muval
The report also revealed trends in the types of homes families are choosing.
Over 85 per cent of moves are from one house to another, showing the traditional family home remains the goal.
“However, many are making financial trade-offs: one in four families are selling homes worth 20–50 per cent more than the property they’re buying, and 13.9 per cent are moving into smaller homes,” the research revealed.
“Meanwhile, affordability pressures are driving major shifts in ownership: nearly 17 per cent of families are going from owner-occupier to renter, while just 6.3 per cent are moving in the opposite direction — a stark reminder of how tough homeownership is becoming for many.”
Muval graphics
The latest PRD ‘Smart Moves: Regional Edition 2025’ highlighted the top ten affordable regional markets on the Australian east coast, with three Queensland spots making the list.
PRD chief economist Diaswati Mardiasmo said the report looked at key criteria including affordability, rental yields and future projects to determine the Cairns, Whitsundays and Southern Downs regions were the best bets in Queensland. These hotspots were almost 30 per cent cheaper than Brisbane.
MORE: Buyer of $12m mansion plans to give it away
Unliveable city cottage sold sight unseen for seven figures
$170k for an island property off Brisbane … but there’s a catch
PRD Real Estate chief economist Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo. Supplied
Dubbo, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Shoalhaven in New South Wales, Bendigo, Greater Shepparton and Wodonga in Victoria, and Burnie in Tasmania also made the top 10 list.
Dr Mardiasmo said with property affordability reaching a new low at the end of last year, the dream of owning a home in a capital city was slipping away for many Australians.“The national Home Loan Affordability Index fell to just 20.0 points in the December quarter of 2024 – the weakest it’s been in more than a decade,” she said.
“Buyers are turning to regional locations with lower entry prices, better rental returns, and clear growth potential,” she said.
In addition to Cairns, Whitsundays and Southern Downs, the report flagged Gladstone, Townsville, Mackay, Toowoomba, Ipswich, Bundaberg and Fraser Coast as affordable Queensland regions, with median house prices up to 46 per cent cheaper than Brisbane.
RELATED: Affordable places to buy a home in Qld
Source: Muval
Morrell said that remote work flexibility has been the major driver behind the migration to regional areas.
“While affordability is clearly a key factor in family moves, our research also suggests that lifestyle and space are important,” he said.
“Families are seeking homes that better align with their needs — whether that’s more bedrooms, a backyard, or proximity to nature — which is influencing where they choose to relocate.”
For more, Muval’s Family Relocation Report.
English (US) · 