Home values continue to climb in Queensland amid slumps in Melbourne and Sydney

A PropTrack Home Price Index report for January revealed that regional Queensland home prices hit a new peak in January, up 0.2 per cent over the month to sit 12.5 per cent higher than a year ago.

This pushed the median home value in regional Queensland up to $796,000, adding $98,800 compared to a year ago, which was the largest dollar value lift of all regional markets.

REA Group Senior Economist Angus Moore said prices across the Sunshine Coast were relatively flat in January, with house prices increasing 1.05 per cent to a median of $1.302 million, over the quarter, and unit prices decreasing by 0.04 per cent to a median of $936,000.

“But January is a quieter month for housing markets, so it can be harder to get a sense of where prices are at,” he said.

“Looking at the broader trend, price growth has been solid in the Sunshine Coast over the past 12 months, particularly through winter and into spring, with prices up nearly 10 per cent year-on-year in January.

“We are still expecting to see prices grow (on the Sunshine Coast) this year, but with the RBA having already raised rates, and further hikes likely, we likely won’t see as strong growth as last year.”

Brisbane home prices hit a new peak in January, lifting 0.4 per cent over the month and 14.4 per cent year-on-year. This pushed Brisbane’s median home value up $136,900 over the year, to reach $1.023 million.

Home prices nationally increased by 0.2 per cent over the first month of 2026 to sit 8.4 per cent higher than a year ago. This increase brought median home values to a new record of just over $880,000.

REA Group senior economist Angus Moore provided further analysis.

“Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide have continued to see strong growth, outperforming the larger capitals amid very limited choice for buyers,” he said.

“Melbourne has posted three months of modest declines and, while Sydney prices were up in January, they are below their recent peak.”

He expected prices to continue to climb, generally.

“January is a relatively quiet month for housing markets, with lighter sales volumes, which makes it harder to assess the momentum in home prices,” he said.

“While conditions were softer in Sydney and Melbourne in recent months, home prices are still likely to head to new highs in 2026, but at a slower pace of growth than in 2025.

“Price growth in 2025 was supported by three rate cuts, but a rate rise at the Reserve Bank’s February meeting is now looking likely, with inflation coming in stronger than expected in the second half of 2025.

“While the possibility of further hikes may weigh on the market, unemployment remains very low, which will support demand.

“At the same time, new housing supply remains limited, supporting home prices.”