Rents Taking Up Larger Share of Household Income

Australian tenants are spending a record share of their gross median household income on rent.

Nationally, rents are up by 2.1% in the three months to March 2026, according to ‍Cotality data – that’s a 1.2% increase on the last quarter of 2025.

Cotality Australia Head of Research Gerard Burg says households are now spending a record 33.1% of gross median household income on rent, compared to 26.2% in September 2020.

The increase has added about $202 per week to the typical Australian household rent.

“Rent growth had moderated through much of 2024 and into mid-2025, but there’s been a lack of supply to meet the demand, which is placing immense pressure on the rental market,” Burg says.

Darwin rents rose the most in the year to March, by 9.2% ($699 per week). Perth ($761) and Brisbane ($720) are both up 6.7% and Hobart is up by 6.4%.

Sydney ($824) is up 5.9%, Melbourne ($632), 4.4%, Adelaide ($646), 3.6% and Canberra ($696), 2.6%.