R
ealestate.com.au’s 2026 Hot 100 pinpoints the suburbs set to eclipse the national average in the coming years. A panel of industry experts, backed by PropTrack data, chose 100 suburbs on the basis of affordability, amenity, family appeal, location, investment prospects, gentrification, population growth, demographic shift and infrastructure. Two‑thirds of the picks lie in capital cities, one‑third in regional areas; the lowest‑priced suburb has a median house price below $400 k and several offer gross rental yields exceeding 7 %.

    The list spotlights areas experiencing rezoning, gentrification or demographic change, or those already battling a supply‑demand imbalance. Key drivers include new infrastructure—Western Sydney Airport, metro lines and Olympic‑related projects—that are reshaping property values. Senior economist Eleanor Creagh notes that price growth and investor interest cluster where fresh employment, upgraded transport and housing supply converge.

    Darwin tops the capital‑city count, having rebounded from a decade of underperformance, while Perth remains the only other city with comparable price acceleration. Regional hotspots are driven by affordability and diversified economies, with suburbs such as Bathurst, Dubbo and Tamworth offering strong growth potential.

    Nationally, home prices have risen for 11 straight months, buoyed by falling rates, increased borrowing capacity and government support for first‑home buyers. Yet rising inflation and a likely RBA rate hike are expected to temper affordability and moderate price growth through 2026.

    The Hot 100 is available on an interactive map and includes a state‑by‑state breakdown of the 2026 outlook.