In some Australian suburbs, owning a property is now cheaper than renting, offering opportunities for both first-home buyers and property investors.

A new ‘Compare the Market’ analysis highlights locations where weekly mortgage repayments are lower than weekly rents, key insights for those tracking Australian property investment trends.

In South Australia, apartment buyers are better off than renters in metropolitan Adelaide, while 11 regional towns, including Berri, Port Augusta, Risdon Park, and Whyalla, also favor buyers.

Victoria presents strong investment potential, particularly in units. Melbourne CBD renters pay an extra $688 per month compared to buyers.

Compare the Market property expert Andrew Winter attributes this to lagging property capital growth despite rising rents, creating rare affordability pockets.

In Greater Brisbane, suburbs like Spring Hill and Goodna offer lower mortgage repayments than rent, while regional Queensland boasts 68 suburbs in this category, including Ashmore on the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile, in Greater Sydney, buyers get better value in Harris Park, Rosehill, Regents Park, Liverpool, Warwick Farm, Villawood, and Ultimo.

For property investors, these market shifts present opportunities to enter high-demand rental markets at a lower cost, with potential long-term capital growth as housing affordability remains a national challenge.