Even Aussies earning more than $100k battling 'rental stress'

Tuesday, 18 March 2025 14:59

According to the 2025 Priced Out report by national housing campaign Everybody's Home, rental stress is now impacting high income earners with $100,000 salaries in Australia.

Even Australians earning six-figure salaries can't comfortably afford rent in any capital city, new figures show.

According to the 2025 Priced Out report by national housing campaign Everybody's Home, rental stress is now impacting high income earners commanding a salary of $100,000 in Australia.

The report found solo renters now need an annual income of $130,000 to afford the average property without spending more than 30 per cent of their wage, which is the benchmark for rental stress.

A "now leasing" sign at a property listed for rent in Sydney.

It means even those earning well above $100,000, which is much higher than the median Australian income of $72,592, are struggling to afford rent in multiple cities.

Sydney renters earning $100,000 are spending an average of 48 per cent of their income on rent – the highest in all capital cities, the report found.

The second worst is Perth, where renters are forking out 43 per cent of their weekly income on rent, followed by Brisbane at 40 per cent, Canberra at 39 per cent and Melbourne at 38 per cent.

Adelaide renters are spending 35 per cent on rent while Darwin is close behind at 34 per cent.

Property housing auction real estate aerial Sydney

The most affordable capital city, according to the report, is Hobart – however renters earning $100,000 are still paying 32 per cent, which still officially categorises it as rental stress.

"This report exposes the stark reality facing Australian renters everyday," said Everybody's Home spokesperson Maiy Azize.

"Rental stress is no longer confined to those on lower incomes - it's affecting professionals, essential workers, and middle-income families who simply can't keep up with soaring rents.

Australian money background showing $100, $50 and $20 notes with a shallow depth of field.

"A $100,000 salary used to be considered a secure income, but our research shows people on this wage are struggling in both cities and regional areas because rents are so staggeringly high."

Azize pointed out rental stress is "even more dire" for those on middle or low incomes.

She said those earning $40,000 annually are in "extreme" rental stress, with rents in some cities amounting to 119 per cent of their income.

The campaign is calling on the federal government to prioritise housing, including boosting social housing to help low and middle income earners stay afloat.

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