Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Geelong revealed as the top destinations for capital city defectors

By Tom Watson · · 3 min read
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The number of Australians seeking a sea or tree change by relocating to the regions has reached a new high during the COVID-19 pandemic according to new research released this morning.

The inaugural Regional Movers Index Report from the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) and the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) shows that the population flow from capital cities to regional areas increased by 7% between the March 2020 quarter and the same period in 2021.

In fact, the migration to regional areas has not only reached a new high point during the pandemic, it’s the highest level recorded on the index since March 2018 (the earliest figure available).

According to CBA’s Executive General Manager for Regional and Agribusiness Banking, Grant Cairns, the movement is not simply a case of city dwellers fleeing metro areas during the pandemic, but rather a testament to the opportunities provided in regional Australia.

“The Index demonstrates how Australians formerly living in capital cities have embraced remote ways of working as an opportunity to experience what these areas have to offer, while those already in regional areas are finding reasons to stay.”

“I’m optimistic about what this growth means for regional Australia, as more people experience the liveability of our regional areas and embrace the associated work-life balance and affordability.”

Going coastal

So which cities are Australians leaving from and where are they resettling?

The report found that Sydney and Melbourne were the points of origin for the vast majority of the exodus, accounting for 96% of the total net migration from all capital cities during the March quarter.

Predictably, regional parts of New South Wales (32.4%) and Victoria (27.8%) were among the leading destinations for Melburnians, Sydneysiders and other Aussies seeking a lifestyle change, though Regional Queensland was also right in the mix (28.8%).

Drilling down, the top ten Local Government Areas (LGA) which attracted former capital city dwellers during the last quarter were as follows. 

LGAShare of capital migration
Gold Coast11%
Sunshine Coast6%
Greater Geelong4%
Wollongong3%
Newcastle2%
Lake Macquarie2%
Queanbeyan-Palerang2%
Cairns2%
Launceston2%
Townsville 2%

How are regional house prices holding up?

As Mr Cairns mentioned, Australians are looking to relocate to regional areas for a variety of reasons, one of which is the idea of greater affordability.

That’s perhaps unsurprising when both Melbourne and Sydney make regular appearances on lists of the ‘world's most expensive cities’, and given the considerable increase of house prices in both cities over the years (and even more so of late).

But regional areas haven’t been spared from rising property prices, perhaps as a direct result of increased migration.

CoreLogic’s recent Regional Market Update revealed that housing values in the regional market rose by 13% in the 12 months to April 2021 - comprehensively outpacing value growth in capital cities (6.4%) over the same period.

According to CoreLogic, the median home value in regional areas across Australia is currently $468,980, but certain areas are far higher. For instance, a 21.9% annual increase in house values in the Richmond-Tweed region (which includes Byron Bay) lifted the median value in the Byron council area to $1.4 million.

“Looking forward, regional housing markets remain well placed to record higher than average levels of demand, especially those markets that are located close enough to capital cities to provide a commuting option, and those lifestyle markets that are popular with sea and tree changers,” said CoreLogic’s Research Director, Tim Lawless.

“While surging values are probably good news for homeowners in these regions, for those that don’t own a home, affordability is being stretched. Particularly for long-time locals whose incomes are unlikely to be rising at anywhere near the pace of house price appreciation, they may be forced to seek out housing options further afield,” says Mr Lawless.

RELATED: Home loan check: Are tighter lending conditions on the way?

Ready to pull up stakes and make the move to the coast or country? Well if you’ve got your eyes on a regional property purchase, you’ll want to start looking for a mortgage to make it happen.

Get started by checking out some of the great offers in the table below, or compare home loans from an even greater number of lenders with our handy comparison tables.

Home loan comparisons on Mozo

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Last updated 27 July 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*

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    Initial monthly repayment
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    Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.

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    Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 40% Deposit required.

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    Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.

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    6.13 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
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    Refinancers or first home buyers pay no monthly or annual fees. Up to $3,000 cashback when you complete your home loan application online. $2,000 cashback on loans ≥$250K; or $3,000 cashback on loans ≥$500K. LVR ≤80%. T&Cs and credit criteria apply.

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    6.34 % p.a.
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    Lock in a competitive interest rate and enjoy peace of mind for the fixed period. Available for owner occupied new and refinanced home loans with at least 20% deposit. Split option available as well as offset and redraw. Noapplication, ongoing or banking fees. Third Party fees may be applicable - payable within loan repayments. Extra repayments up to $20K per annum permitted. Apply online, 100% member owned credit union.

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    • Owner Occupier
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    5.99 % p.a.
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    5.90 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $2,995
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    Built by CommBank, the Unloan is the first home loan with an increasing discount (conditions apply) for borrowers. No application or banking fees. No monthly account keeping or early exit fees. Apply online in minutes.

  • OMG Home Loan

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    6.02 % p.a.
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    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <60%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.11 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
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    Competitively-priced variable rate loan. Ideal for owner occupiers and investors. No service fees to pay. Make free extra repayments and redraws. Flexible repayment schedule available.

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    • Owner Occupier
    • Principal & Interest
    • LVR <80%
    Interest rate
    6.09 % p.a.
    Variable
    Comparison rate
    6.13 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,027
    Go to site

    Refinancers or first home buyers pay no monthly or annual fees. Up to $3,000 cashback when you complete your home loan application online. $2,000 cashback on loans ≥$250K; or $3,000 cashback on loans ≥$500K. LVR ≤80%. T&Cs and credit criteria apply.

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    • LVR<60%
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    6.14 % p.a.
    Variable
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    6.16 % p.a.
    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043
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    Enjoy a low rate home loan with $0 application fee and $0 ongoing fees. Flexibility to split your loan and set different repayment types. Fee free redraw from your loan using online banking. Flexible ways to repay. 40% Deposit required.

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    Initial monthly repayment
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    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,043
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  • Fixed Rate

    • Owner Occupier
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    Fixed 2 years
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    Initial monthly repayment
    $3,174

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* WARNING: This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. The comparison rate displayed is for a secured loan with monthly principal and interest repayments for $150,000 over 25 years.

** Initial monthly repayment figures are estimates only, based on the advertised rate. You can change the loan amount and term in the input boxes at the top of this table. Rates, fees and charges and therefore the total cost of the loan may vary depending on your loan amount, loan term, and credit history. Actual repayments will depend on your individual circumstances and interest rate changes.

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