Many people dream of moving to Australia and buying property there, enjoying the lifestyle while making smart investments. Sydney and Melbourne, two of Australia’s biggest cities, often go over budget. You can find great quality of life in cheap regional towns, though, if you know where to look.

This guide goes into detail about the cheapest places to live in Australia, focusing on 10 areas that offer a good mix of affordability, opportunity, community, and investment potential.

Why pick a less expensive Australian city in 2025?

Affordable cities have a lot of benefits for people who want to move or migrate:
• Lower housing and living costs can help you make your money go further.
• Get a better balance between work and life, often with fewer people around and tighter communities.
• Get access to regional migration incentives, like priority paths to permanent residency.
• Put money into places where there is a lot of rental demand and infrastructure growth.
With that in mind, here are the 10 cheapest places to live in Australia. Each one is a good place to live because it is cheap and has a good economy. One stands out as the best choice.

The 10 Cheapest Places to Live in Australia

We put the regions in order from least to most affordable based on the median house price, the cost of living, infrastructure plans, and the potential for growth in the region.

Rank	Region (State)	Median House Price	Why It’s Affordable and Promising
1	Whitsundays (QLD)	≤ $600,000	Coastal beauty, tourism jobs, stable price growth
2	Mackay Regional (QLD)	≤ $600,000	Mining industry buffer, growing community
3	Charters Towers (QLD)	≤ $600,000	Small-town living, regional incentives, upcoming projects
4	Federation Council (NSW)	≤ $600,000	Border region, plenty of housing stock
5	Dubbo (NSW)	≤ $600,000	Regional hub, healthcare and education jobs
6	Lithgow (NSW)	≤ $600,000	Commuter-friendly with nature access
7	Greater Bendigo (VIC)	≤ $600,000	Central Victoria, vibrant arts and expanding economy
8	Greater Shepparton (VIC)	≤ $600,000	Agriculture nexus, job growth, affordable lifestyle
9	Ballarat (VIC)	≤ $600,000	Gold rush heritage, growing population, compact city feel
10	Central Coast (TAS)	≤ $600,000	Coastal living at low cost, expanding tourism sector

Deep Dive into the Top Affordable Regions in Australia

Following are the 10 affordable and Cheapest cities in Australia to live in 2025.

1. Whitsundays Queensland having Coastal Calm with Strong Potential

The Whitsundays, which are located along Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, are a rare mix of tropical beauty and growing business opportunities. The mainland towns of Airlie Beach and Proserpine, on the other hand, give you that same vacation feeling at a much lower cost. This area is great for people who want to live in nature, sail, and do marine activities without paying the high prices of a capital city.

Important information

• The average price of a house is less than $600,000.

• Strong rental yields thanks to tourism and short-term stays 

• Ongoing improvements to roads and small resorts’ infrastructure

2. Mackay Queensland with Stability Based on Resources

Mackay is a city where people work, and mining, farming, and sugarcane are all important parts of the economy. It doesn’t get as many tourists as the Whitsundays, but it does have steady jobs and cheap places to live. The strong FIFO (fly-in-fly-out) workforce keeps rental demand high, and the local beaches and national parks add to the quality of life.

Important facts: 

• Property prices are lower than in other coastal cities in Queensland. 

• Reliable rental income comes from mining and agriculture. 

• The transportation and coal export infrastructure is growing.

3. Charters Towers, Queensland |A charming place with a lot of history and a good economy

Charters Towers used to be a gold rush town, but now it’s a town with a lot of history and culture that is cheap to live in. Families and retirees alike like its wide streets lined with historic buildings and close-knit community. Investing in infrastructure and a small rental market make property values rise slowly but steadily.

Important facts: 

• Prices for entry-level homes are much lower than the state average.

• More jobs in aged care, tourism, and regional services

• Living in a community with regular events and markets

4. The Council of the Federation New South Wales

This area is along the Murray River and has lovely towns like Corowa and Tocumwal. It has good access to bigger cities in both NSW and Victoria and offers great housing value. Better roads and rural broadband are drawing in more people who work from home.

Important facts: 

• Property prices are lower than in nearby Albury-Wodonga 

• There are a lot of jobs in agriculture, logistics, and cross-border services

• Building more stores and public spaces

5. Dubbo, New South Wales, is a power center in the central west.

Dubbo is a major regional hub with a strong economy and low cost of living. The Taronga Western Plains Zoo and a rich cultural life make this city a great place to live. It has the best of both worlds: country charm and important services. The local job market is driven by healthcare, education, and retail.

Important facts: 

• Property prices are much lower than Sydney’s median; 

• Rental yields are good because there is a lot of demand for jobs; 

• Infrastructure is always being improved, including hospitals and road networks.

6. Lithgow, New South Wales

Lithgow is only a little over two hours from Sydney and has a rare mix of low prices and easy access. A lot of people who work there and people who like to take things slow in a beautiful setting like it. The local economy keeps getting better thanks to energy projects and tourism.

• Property prices are often less than half of Sydney’s. 

• There is a steady demand for rentals from blue-collar workers and commuters. 

• Renewable energy projects and nature tourism are both growing.

7. Greater Bendigo Victoria

Bendigo is one of Victoria’s most lively regional cities, famous for its arts, food, and history of the gold rush. Housing is still cheaper than in Melbourne, but it has the same kinds of amenities and lifestyle options. A lot of young families and professionals choose it.

Important information

• The median house price is much lower than in Melbourne.

• Reliable rental yields backed by healthcare and education 

• Big investments in cultural areas and public transportation

8. Greater Shepparton Victoria

Shepparton has a strong agricultural base and low living costs. The city is known for its orchards, dairy farms, and food processing plants. Infrastructure projects like upgrading railroads are making it easier for people to get around and bringing in more people.

Important information

• Housing costs are much lower than the average in the capital city. 

• There are jobs in agriculture, warehousing, and education. 

• The community is culturally diverse and has a lot of local events.

9. Ballarat Victoria: Old and New Comforts

Ballarat is one of Victoria’s most attractive regional cities because it has both old and new buildings. It has affordable housing, a strong job market, and cultural events that are just as good as those in bigger cities.

Key facts: 

• Homes are much cheaper than in Melbourne

• Students and professionals are driving up rental demand 

• Major upgrades to hospitals and roads are in progress

10. Central Coast Tasmania

The Central Coast of Tasmania, which includes Ulverston and Burnie, has some of the lowest prices for peaceful seaside living in Australia. The area is slowly getting bigger as the tourism and creative industries grow.

Key facts: 

• Some of the cheapest coastal homes in the country 

• Steady rental demand thanks to regional services and tourism 

• The local economy is growing thanks to a new arts and food scene

Comparison of the Cost of Living

Here’s a rough idea of how much a student would spend on a weekly and yearly basis if they lived in a private shared apartment, used public transportation, and went out to eat every now and then:

City / Region	Estimated Weekly Cost	Annual Cost
Hobart (TAS)*	$563	$29,276
Adelaide (SA)*	$578	$30,056
Perth (WA)*	$608	$31,616
Melbourne (VIC)*	$637	$33,124
Brisbane (QLD)*	$643	$33,436
Canberra (ACT)*	$677	$35,204
Sydney (NSW)*	$720	$37,440
Darwin (NT)*	$731	$38,012
Dubbo (NSW)**	~ $550	~ $28,600
Bendigo (VIC)**	~ $520	~ $27,040

* Based on Study Australia index (2023)
**Estimated 10–20% lower living cost vs state capitals

Housing Snapshot | Rent Comparison

One major cost difference is rent. Here’s a snapshot for weekly private shared accommodation:

City / Region	Estimated Rent (Shared)
Hobart (TAS)	~$240
Dubbo (NSW)	~$200
Bendigo (VIC)	~$210
Whitsundays (QLD)	~$230

Lifestyle and Practical Advantages by Region

• Whitsundays: Beaches, island escapes, national parks—ideal for outdoor and leisure lifestyles.
• Mackay & Charters Towers: Friendly towns, strong industry and easy cost of living.
• Dubbo & Bendigo: All modern amenities, regional towns with city-level services.
• Lithgow: Affordable, attractive, and close to nature and job hubs.
• Shepparton & Ballarat: Rich community scene, growth mindset and regional culture.
• Central Coast (TAS): Serene coastal living, slowly growing, great for families and retirees.

Best Overall Pick: Dubbo

Among these ten, Dubbo stands out as the top choice for migrants in 2025:

• Lower living costs than capitals.
• Strong healthcare, education and services—key central-west NSW hub.
• Affordable accommodation.
• Regional migration points for skilled visa pathways.
• Balanced lifestyle: community-oriented, with jobs and infrastructure.

Summary Table: Top 5 Reasons to Choose Dubbo

Advantage	Details
Affordability	Estimated living and housing costs ~ $28k/year.
Job Market	Hub for healthcare, education, retail.
Migration Friendly	Regional visa points available.
Community	Active, connected, family-friendly.
Growth Potential	Ongoing infrastructure and investment plans.

Final Advice for Migrants

1. Budget wisely – Regional areas save you thousands each year.
2. Consider employment trends – Choose a region with demand for your skills.
3. Review PR pathways – Employment-based visas or state sponsored programs favor regional areas.
4. Balance lifestyle with opportunity – Choose a place that aligns with your values and future goals.
5. Visit in person – Nothing replaces real-life experience when choosing where to settle.

Conclusion

In 2025, you won’t have to pay rent in the city to live in Australia. Places like Dubbo, Whitsundays, Bendigo, Hobart, and even Lithgow have friendly communities, good value for money, and real job opportunities. Dubbo is the best choice because it has the right mix of low cost, good infrastructure, and migration benefits.
If you choose one of these cheap places to live in Australia, you’re investing in your future, your health, and a balanced life. Your dollar and your dreams will go a long way if you start your trip to Australia the right way.

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