Home loan costs: How much do you need to buy Australia’s most affordable suburbs?
According to CoreLogic, property prices have risen by +8.3% in the last year – more than completely recovering their -7.5% fall in 2022. Now, between interest rate rises and prices, home loan affordability is top of mind for Aussie home buyers.
But if we look at the numbers, how much money do you really need to buy in Australia’s cheapest suburbs?
Let’s break down the data from the CoreLogic Best of the Best 2023 report, based on property type and location. We’ll look at home loan deposit size requirements and what your monthly mortgage repayments could look like.
Monthly repayments calculated using the current Mozo database average variable interest rate of 6.84% p.a. for an owner-occupied mortgage with LVR < 80% making P&I repayments over a 25-year term.
Australia’s cheapest suburbs: Houses
Home buyers looking for the most affordable houses must look beyond Australia’s capital cities – especially expensive markets like Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra.
CoreLogic’s latest data shows that the “Most Affordable” suburbs in the country by median price tend to be in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and South Australia.
Home loan costs for houses in Most Affordable Suburbs in Capital Cities (18 Dec 2023)
Suburb | Median price | 20% deposit | Monthly repayments |
Gray, NT | $359k | $72k | $2,501 |
Elizabeth North, SA | $363k | $73k | $2,529 |
Elizabeth South, SA | $369k | $74k | $2,570 |
Elizabeth, SA | $376k | $75k | $2,619 |
Kwinana Town Centre, WA | $377k | $75k | $2,626 |
Elizabeth Downs, SA | $380k | $76k | $2,647 |
Moulden, NT | $382k | $76k | $2,661 |
Russell Island, QLD | $384k | $77k | $2,675 |
Elizabeth Grove, SA | $385k | $77k | $2,682 |
Medina, WA | $392k | $78k | $2,731 |
Home loan costs for houses in Most Affordable Suburbs in Regional Australia (18 Dec 2023)
Suburb | Median price | 20% deposit | Monthly repayments |
Norseman, WA | $81k | $16k | $564 |
Southern Cross, WA | $106k | $21k | $738 |
Kambalda East, WA | $120k | $24k | $836 |
Rainbow, VIC | $149k | $29k | $1,038 |
Collinsville, QLD | $155k | $31k | $1,080 |
Coolgardie, WA | $160k | $32k | $1,115 |
Peterborough, SA | $163k | $33k | $1,135 |
Kambalda West, WA | $163k | $33k | $1,135 |
Tara, QLD | $165k | $33k | $1,149 |
Ouyen, VIC | $168k | $34k | $1,170 |
Australia’s cheapest suburbs: Units
Units are usually the most affordable option for first home buyers, downsizers, and investors in the Australian property market. They tend to offer the sweet spot between value and space.
CoreLogic’s latest data shows that units are more affordable in the regions or capital cities like Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
Home loan costs for units in Most Affordable Suburbs in Capital Cities (18 Dec 2023)
Suburb | Median price | 20% deposit | Monthly repayments |
Furnissdale, WA | $160k | $31k | $1,115 |
Orelia, WA | $240k | $48k | $1,672 |
Kooralbyn, QLD | $259k | $51k | $1,804 |
Logan Central, QLD | $270k | $54k | $1,881 |
Bakewell, NT | $272k | $54k | $1,895 |
Gray, NT | $275k | $55k | $1,916 |
Lockridge, WA | $280k | $56k | $1,950 |
Driver, NT | $287k | $57k | $1,999 |
Woodridge, QLD | $288k | $58k | $2,006 |
Shoalwater, WA | $289k | $58k | $2,013 |
Home loan costs for units in Most Affordable Suburbs in Regional Australia (18 Dec 2023)
Suburb | Median price | 20% deposit | Monthly repayments |
Laguna Quays, QLD | $92k | $18k | $641 |
Dolphin Heads, QLD | $116k | $23k | $808 |
Bucasia, QLD | $166k | $33k | $1,156 |
Withers Rest, WA | $177k | $35k | $1,233 |
New Auckland, QLD | $182k | $36k | $1,268 |
South Gladstone, QLD | $187k | $37k | $1,303 |
West Gladstone, QLD | $194k | $39k | $1,351 |
Boulder, WA | $201k | $40k | $1,400 |
Beresford, WA | $202k | $40k | $1,407 |
East Mackay, QLD | $204k | $41k | $1,421 |
Home loan costs for your budget
Homeownership is an important financial decision for many Australians. Finding cheaper properties for an investment or first home can ease the sometimes significant cost of entry while allowing you to get out of the rental market and build home equity.
However, it’s also important to remember that mortgages cost more than just a deposit and monthly repayment. You may also need to consider budgeting for charges like:
- Stamp duty.
- Lender fees, conveyancer fees, and solicitor fees, such as a property valuation.
- Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) if you buy with a small deposit.
See our guide for a full breakdown of home loan costs.
There’s no guarantee the suburbs listed above will remain some of Australia’s most affordable places to buy in 2024, but it does serve as a timely reminder that not everywhere in Australia is outrageously priced. If you’re willing to look further afield, there are plenty of opportunities for every type of home buyer.
Keeping your home loan costs down? Compare low interest rate home loans in the table below.
Home loan comparisons on Mozo
Promoted
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes- optional with $10/month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Unloan Variable
- Owner Occupier
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
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.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$0.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site
-
Fixed Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,852
Competitive fixed rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Additional repayments up to $20,000 per year without penalty. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Fixed 2 years
- Comparison rate
-
5.93
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes- optional with $10/month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Rate Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.27
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,867
Get repayment certainty with HSBC’s low 2 Year Fixed Rate Home Loan. Make up to $10,000 of extra repayments a year. The option to split your home loan between fixed and variable. Plus, score $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan of $250,000. Must apply by 28 February 2023 and settle by 30 April 2023.
- Interest rate
-
5.59
%
p.a.
Fixed 5 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.27
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$390.00 yearly
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to $10,000 p.a.
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $7,500,000
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
2-Year Discounted - Simple Home Loan Variable
- Owner-Occupied
- Principal and Interest
- LVR<60%
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Variable for 24 months and then 5.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,988
Enjoy a low variable rate with no application, ongoing or monthly fees to pay. Access your money via internet banking at any time with free redraws. Make additional repayments at any time. Available for owner occupied, investment and interest only repayments.
- Interest rate
-
5.54
%
p.a.
Variable for 24 months and then 5.99% p.a.
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$175.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about First Option Bank home loans
Go to site -
Variable Home Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal and Interest
- Interest rate
-
5.98
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.02
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,991
Competitive variable rate on up to a 30 year loan term. No application fees to pay. Unlimited additional repayments. Free online redraw. Optional 100% offset feature ($10/month) 10% minimum deposit. Fees & charges apply, Australian Credit Licence 237879 is held by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, the credit provider.
- Interest rate
-
5.98
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.02
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$495
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
yes- optional with $10/month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 90.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- -
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about NRMA Insurance home loans
Go to site -
Unloan Variable
- Owner Occupier
- LVR <80%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
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.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.90
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$0.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $10,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Unloan home loans
Go to site -
Discounted Home Value Loan
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- LVR <60%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Enjoy competitive rates for owner occupiers. Enjoy unlimited free extra repayments. Flexibility to redraw additional payments for free. No ongoing monthly service fee. Receive $3,288 cashback when you refinance an existing home loan. Minimum loan amount of $250,000, settle within 120 days from applying.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$300.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $50,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $15,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about HSBC home loans
-
Simple Home Loan Variable
- Owner-Occupied
- Principal and Interest
- LVR<60%
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Enjoy a low variable rate with no application, ongoing or monthly fees to pay. Access your money via internet banking at any time with free redraws. Make additional repayments at any time. Available for owner occupied, investment and interest only repayments.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$0
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$175.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 60.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $3,500,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about First Option Bank home loans
Go to site -
Fixed Rate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.89
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$2,995
Enjoy up to $3000 cashback for eligible first home buyers and $2000 cashback for refinancers on eligible home loans with the ANZ Fixed Rate Home Loan. Get the security of repayment certainty with a competitive locked in rate. No ongoing fees to pay. Offset account on 1-year fixed loans ($10/month fee applies). Interest-only payments allowed.
- Interest rate
-
5.99
%
p.a.
Fixed 3 years
- Comparison rate
-
6.89
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$160
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$160.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free up to to lesser of 5% of original fixed loan amount, or $5,000 each year
- Redraw facility
-
no
- Offset account
-
Optional - $10 per month - 1 year fixed term only
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $20,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- -
- Type of mortgage
- Fixed
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- $3,000 cashback for eligible First Home Buyers borrowing $250k+, $2,000 cashback when you refinance loans of $250k+, <80% LVR, settle within 180 days for first home buyers, 120 days for refinances. Excludes refinances from ANZ, ANZ Plus and Suncorp.
Read reviews and learn more about ANZ home loans
-
Mortgage Simplifier
- LVR<80%
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.17
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,043
Get a competitive variable rate with ING’s Mortgage Simplifier. Free extra repayments, no monthly or annual fees. Freedom to make free extra repayments or redraws.
- Interest rate
-
6.14
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.17
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$350
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$250.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
no
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $150,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $2,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about ING home loans
-
Elevate
- Owner Occupier
- Principal & Interest
- <80% LVR
- Interest rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
- Initial monthly repayment
-
$3,056
Get competitive rates on loan terms of 5 to 30 years with the Aussie Elevate Home Loan. Structure your loan with up to five splits. Make additional repayments (T&Cs apply). Offset accounts available. Unlimited redraw using your online banking account. Choose from weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments For loan amounts from $10,000 to $5 million.
- Interest rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
Variable
- Comparison rate
-
6.18
%
p.a.
- Upfront fees
-
$498
- Ongoing fees
-
$0.00
- Discharge fee
-
$325.00
- Extra repayments
-
yes - free
- Redraw facility
-
yes - free
- Offset account
-
Optional extra - $10 per month
- Maximum loan to value ratio
- 80.00%
- Minimum borrowing amount
- $10,000
- Maximum borrowing amount
- $5,000,000
- Type of mortgage
- Variable
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Availability
- Owner Occupier
- Repayment options
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Special offers
- -
Read reviews and learn more about Aussie home loans
Your selected home loans
* 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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