Geraldton rental prices up almost 10 per cent over the year, still seen as affordable to live in regional WA

Greater Geraldton is still being hit with soaring prices and an increased cost of living as rental prices have jumped by almost 10 per cent over the past year.

Newly released data in the June 2026 rental report from Domain has revealed rental prices across the city are now sitting at an average of $580 per week.

As of June 2026, the weekly price tag had risen by up to $50, or 9.4 per cent, since June last year when rental prices were $530 per week.

Data showed the local rental market had been on a dramatic incline since 2021, as rental prices in Greater Geraldton rose by 65.7 per cent over the past five years.

The weekly median rental price in Greater Geraldton in 2021 was $350 per week.

Geraldton Property Team director David Potiuch said the increase in rental prices across Geraldton was “not surprising” given the high rate of demand and low vacancy rates.

“I think increasing prices will continue over the course of the year and potentially into next year before it starts stabilising, as the demand for houses is really strong in Western Australia,” he said.

“Coupled with the shortage of housing available, it feels like in the second half of the year prices will continue to rise.”

In comparison to other regional areas, Geraldton is still a more “affordable” place to rent with weekly housing prices still sitting below $600 per week.

In Bunbury, rental prices have increased by more than 74 per cent in the past five years since 2021, with the median rental price now at $645 per week in the recent quarterly data.

Since June last year, Bunbury rental prices have increased by 7.5 per cent from $600 per week.

Broome ranked as the most expensive regional town to rent in, with the weekly rent price $1100 per week as of the June 2026 quarter.

Despite being the most expensive place to currently rent, the town has not experienced an increase in rental prices, with the weekly median price being the same as June last year.

Mr Potiuch said he wanted people looking for houses in the rental market to “stay positive”.

“Quite often, you’re a really good application but unfortunately it is often lots of applicants and only one house,” he said.

“You just have to stay positive, keep applying and eventually, you will get there.”

Perth house rental prices were found to have risen by 0.4 per cent, $3, over the June 2026 quarter.

The median rental price for houses in Perth is now at a record $750 per week.

However, according to the data, the recent June quarter marked the weakest growth result in six years.

The recent numbers also found the vacancy rate in Perth experienced a slight seasonal increase to 0.5 per cent and remained unchanged year-on-year.

“The increase in rental stock is easing some of the pressure on the market, contributing to slower rental growth.”