Rents massively outpacing wages as rental crisis deepens
Rents have surged nearly 44 per cent in five years, at almost triple the pace of wage rises, highlighting the growing affordability strain as vacancy rates remain historically tight.
Tight rental supply and strong tenant demand continue to place upward pressure on rents across Australia, with vacancy rates remaining well below long-term averages in many markets. (Image source: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com)
Australia’s rental market is showing little sign of meaningful relief, with rents rising far faster than wages over the past five years and vacancy rates remaining stubbornly low across most of the country.
New analysis from property research firm Cotality shows national rents have jumped 43.9 per cent over the five years to September 2025, compared with a 17.5 per cent rise in wages over the same period.
The widening gap highlights the growing…
