Regional WA outpaces Perth as investors look beyond the capital

Housing price growth in Western Australia’s regional centres has outpaced growth in Greater Perth, with all but one of the nine regional centres showing growth for the quarter at or above 2.3 per cent.

That compares to Greater Perth house price growth of 2 per cent for the September 2025 quarter, according to data from reiwa.com.

REIWA Regional Spokesperson Peta McKenzie said regional sales price growth was driven by first home buyer demand, as affordability and lifestyle factors continued to attract buyers to the regions.

“We have seen very strong price growth across most of the regions for the quarter and the year,” she said.

“Albany saw 6.3 per cent growth for the quarter, to a median of $680,000, and is up 23.6 per cent over 12 months.

“Buyer demand in Albany is extremely robust. Below the $700,000 price point the market is as strong as local agents can recall.

“Agents say growth is being driven by first home buyers and investors in the price bracket $500,000 to $700,000. Investors are still buying, but not as actively as last year.

“Properties are attracting very high inquiry levels, with agents reporting up to 15 offers within a week of listing.

“Agents say about half of all sales are to locals, and the other half to people moving to Albany, mostly from Perth.”

Esperance also recorded strong growth for the quarter, up 5.9 per cent in three months to a median house sale price of $540,000, while Geraldton continued its price growth trend, up 4.8 per cent for the September quarter and 27.9 per cent for 12 months, both markets reflecting sustained demand and limited supply.

“The Geraldton market is seeing demand outstripping supply across both established homes and land. Right now, it’s not a question of whether a property will sell, but how quickly,” Ms McKenzie said.

“We’re consistently seeing multiple offers across almost all campaigns, and as an average, properties are achieving 5 -15 per cent above the advertised price.

“The conditions you’re seeing in parts of Perth are absolutely reflected here in the regions. Competition is fierce.

“Geraldton’s affordability and lifestyle remain major drawcards.

“It is a genuinely diverse, multi-industry regional city, not dependent on any single sector such as mining or tourism, and that stability gives buyers confidence.

“Agents in Geraldton say investors are still active in the market, particularly in established homes and new builds, which is adding to the pressure on already tight land supply.”

While growth was more moderate in Broome (no change for the quarter, 10.9 per cent 12 month change), Port Hedland (3.8 per cent change for the quarter, no change over 12 months), and Kalgoorlie-Boulder (2.3 per cent change for the quarter, 6.2 per cent 12 month change), agents in all three centres report high demand from first home buyers and fast selling conditions.

Ms McKenzie said a REIWA agent in Broome reported writing up 21 offers, for seven properties, in just 48 hours, describing an extremely competitive market with multiple offers pushing up prices.

“In Broome, agents report steady interest from investors, particularly from Perth and the Eastern States, alongside strong demand from local buyers and first home buyers,” she said.

“Conditions are similar in Kalgoorlie, where agents report the market is very tight.

“There is a very low amount of listing stock due to the spring rush just not happening this year, as many residents have opted to stay in town.

“Increasing property prices throughout WA, along with growing affordability challenges, has made it very difficult for people to relocate, despite Kalgoorlie’s usually transient population.

“Kalgoorlie is also still seeing interest from interstate investors, although they tend to focus on specific types of properties.”

“Across the regions agents are telling us a similar story; listings are low, first home buyers from Perth and the local area are very active in the market, and multiple offers are pushing prices higher. 

“The low listing stock is creating a sense of urgency for some buyers, who may have already missed out on one or two properties when trying to purchase.

“Potential sellers remain reluctant to list due to a lack of attractive and affordable homes to move to, and supply remains tight, with limited capacity in the regions to increase new builds quickly.

“Our members also say investors remain part of the market, but their activity varies by area and property type.”

A total of five of the nine regional centres saw no change in median rents over the three months, but Broome (up 6.3 per cent), Esperance (up 3.2 per cent), Albany (up 1.7 per cent), and Port Hedland (up 1.3 per cent), saw increases in the September quarter.