Looking to build or buy in an affordable suburb in Perth? My top recommendation is Medina.
However, there are a variety of other beautiful Perth suburbs that are similarly affordable and convenient with great amenities.
In this article, I’ll cover the 10 most affordable suburbs in Perth, including population details, nearby amenities, and more, based on my own experiences and research utilising the latest data available from REIWA as of January 2024.
Perth suburb rankings by affordability
The most affordable suburbs in Perth
Emphasising affordability, convenience, and amenities, the suburbs in my list are all:
- 65km or less from the CBD (9 out of 10 being 40 km or less away)
- Close to amenities and within a reasonable distance of shops and parks
- Have a median home sale price under $500,000 (3 of the 10 suburbs listed have a median house sale price under $400,000)
| Suburb | Median Sales Price | Distance from CBD (km) | Sales Growth (Last 12 Months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Medina | $357,500 | 37 | 12.5% |
| 2.Armadale | $380,000 | 25 | 23.4% |
| 3. Calista | $390,000 | 43 | 14.6% |
| 4. Camillo | $401,000 | 23 | 22.9% |
| 5. Brookdale | $415,000 | 26 | 20.3% |
| 6. Hillman | $425,000 | 40 | 16.4% |
| 7. Parmelia | $430,000 | 34 | 24.3% |
| 8. Greenfields | $430,000 | 64 | 17.7% |
| 9. Leda | $450,000 | 35 | 16.9% |
| 10. Cooloongup | $488,000 | 40 | 25.6% |
Source: REIWA
1. Medina
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Quick stats:
- Median sales price: $357,500
- Distance from CBD: 37 km
- Population: 2,373
- Sales growth over last 12 months: 12.5%
Medina ranks at the top of the cheapest suburbs in Perth due to its median sales price under $358,000.
Benefits include:
- Only 7km from the beach
- Beautiful parks
- Close to Rockingham Mall and other shops via train station or bus.
I like recommending Medina to couples, families, singles, and retirees — it’s worth checking out for anyone looking to find the most affordable suburbs in Perth.
2. Armadale
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Quick stats:
- Median sales price: $380,000
- Distance from CBD: 25 km
- Population: 13,619
- Sales growth over last 12 months: 23.4%
With its $380,000 median sales price, Armadale is just shy of Medina in terms of affordability.
Benefits include:
- Close to Perth, offering city perks with a relaxed suburban feel
- Beautiful natural scenery with parks and reserves for outdoor activities
- Affordable housing, appealing to first-time homebuyers
- Strong community and cultural diversity with local events and eateries
3. Calista
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Quick stats:
- Median sales price: $390,000
- Distance from CBD: 43 km
- Population: 1,992
- Sales growth over last 12 months: 14.6%
Still under $400,000 and only about a 30 minute drive from the CBD, Calista earns its place as the 3rd most affordable suburb in Perth. With a population of 1,992, it is on the smaller side yet offers valuable amenities to its residents.
Benefits include:
- Just minutes from the Wellard Train Station
- 10 minutes to the beach
- Within 20 minutes from the Cockburn Central Shopping Centre
- Known for having good schools and friendly neighbourhoods
- Ample nature and greenery, with the golf course nearby, lovely gardens, and the Calista Oval
4. Camillo
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Quick stats:
- Median sales price: $401,000
- Distance from CBD: 23 km
- Population: 4,408
- Sales growth over last 12 months: 22.9%
Along with being one of the cheapest suburbs in Perth, Camillo is the closest to Perth’s CBD than any other suburb on my list.
Benefits include:
- Relaxed lifestyle
- Continued capital growth
- Excellent home affordability, especially for first home buyers
- Convenient access to shopping centres, schools, and parks
5. Brookdale
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Quick stats:
- Median sales price: $415,000
- Distance from CBD: 26 km
- Population: 2,941
- Sales growth over last 12 months: 20.3%
Located just 26 km from Perth’s city centre, Brookdale offers a relaxed atmosphere while still being close to city amenities.
Benefits include:
- Offers a relaxed atmosphere close to city amenities.
- Ample public spaces and parks for nature lovers.
- Ideal for those seeking a balance between nature and city living.
- Provides a suburban feel with proximity to Perth’s city centre.
6. Hillman
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Quick stats:
- Median sales price: $425,000
- Distance from CBD: 40 km
- Population: 1,848
- Sales growth over last 12 months: 16.4%
Hillman is one of the smaller suburbs on our list but it has a surprising amount to offer. I often hear Hillman residents refer to it as a “hidden treasure”, and I’d agree.
Benefits include:
- Tight-knit community and friendly neighbourhoods
- Many lovely parks and walking trails
- Close to the train
- Close to Hoyts cinema
- Many restaurants and shops nearby in the Rocky precinct
- Close to the hospital
7. Parmelia
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Quick stats:
- Median sales price: $430,000
- Distance from CBD: 34 km
- Population: 6,010
- Sales growth over last 12 months: 24.3%
Parmelia is well-known as a family oriented suburb with great amenities and good connections to central Perth.
Benefits include:
- Known for its family-oriented community.
- Offers good access to public parks, schools, and a new shopping centre.
- Proximity to Perth provides a mix of suburban comfort and city conveniences.
- Ideal for families seeking a balanced lifestyle with amenities and open spaces.
8. Greenfields
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Quick stats:
- Median sales price: $430,000
- Distance from CBD: 64 km
- Population: 9,855
- Sales growth over last 12 months: 17.7%
Greenfields is notably further away from Perth’s city centre than other suburbs on our list, but at 64 km from the CBD, it is still within a reasonable distance.
Benefits include:
- Offers an ideal suburban lifestyle with attractive estates.
- Abundant parks and trees provide a scenic environment.
- Suitable for families with access to primary and secondary schools.
- Features the Peel Education and Health Campus’.
- Retirement and lifestyle communities cater to diverse age groups.
- Close to public open spaces like Ray and Rose Fowler Park and Eacott Park.
9. Leda
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Quick stats:
- Median sales price: $450,000
- Distance from CBD: 35 km
- Population: 3,297
- Sales growth over last 12 months: 16.9%
With a median house sale price of $450,000, Leda comes in at number 9 on my list of the most affordable suburbs in Perth.
Benefits include:
- Contains a region protected by state environmental conservation agreements, giving residents access to picturesque wetlands and forests, such as the Beeliar Wetland system and the Swan Coastal Plain
- Numerous school options
- Just 2.6 km from the Wellard station
- Conveniently located under 40 km from Perth’s CBD
10. Cooloongup
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Quick stats:
- Median sales price: $488,000
- Distance from CBD: 40 km
- Population: 6,739
- Sales growth over last 12 months: 25.6%
Although Cooloongup is last on my list of the most affordable suburbs in Perth, it is still far more affordable than homes near other major cities in Australia.
At 25.1%, it boasts the highest 12 month sales growth of any of the suburbs on the list.
Benefits include:
- Proximity to the beach
- Access to Rockingham General Hospital, Rockingham Tennis Club, and the Rockingham Golf Club
- Well-maintained parks and public spaces
- Picturesque areas to hang out or walk around Lake Cooloongup
- Proximity to the Waikiki Village Shopping Centre and Rockingham Centre
Current grants available for first home buyers
The Australian government offers multiple incentives to help first home buyers achieve home ownership.
Some of the first home buyers grants in Western Australia include:
- First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) — The First Home Owner Grant was designed to help eligible first time home buyers in WA by offering a one-time 10,000 payment toward homeownership.
- First Home Guarantee (FHBG) — The First Home Guarantee scheme is offered by the Australian government to help eligible first home buyers with their deposit. Eligible first time home buyers can qualify to purchase a home with as low as a 5% deposit and no lender’s mortgage insurance payments.
- Home Buyers’ Assistance Account (HBAA) — The Home Buyers Assistance Account (HBAA) was designed to help cover some of the costs associated with purchasing a first home. These costs include expenses such as mortgage registration fees, mortgage insurance premiums, lending institution fees, valuation fees, and other eligible expenses. The grant helps qualified home buyers with up to $2,000 of these incidental costs.
- First Home Owner Rate (FHOR) — First home buyers in WA may be eligible for a stamp duty concession through the First Home Owner Rate of Duty. You can learn more about the First Home Owner Rate of Duty (FHOR) in my article here.
- Help to Buy Scheme — The Help to Buy scheme helps eligible first time home buyers by cutting out Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) and requiring a deposit as low as 2%. This scheme gives eligible first home buyers an “equity contribution” of up to 40% of the cost of their new home or up to 30% for existing homes. The government owns an equity share of the home but homeowners can buy the equity back once they save up enough money.
- Building Bonus Grant — The Building Bonus Grant WA is a limited time $20,000 incentive for eligible Western Australians who plan to build.
- First Home Super Saver — The First Home Super Saver scheme allows individuals to use their super fund to save up for a home. The scheme allows for contributions of up to $15,000 a year and up to a total of $30,000.
- Family Home Guarantee — The Family Home Guarantee scheme was created to help single parents who have at least one dependent. This scheme helps qualified single parents achieve home ownership by offering a deposit as low as 2% and eliminating the need to pay LMI.
Resources for first home buyers in WA
If you want to learn more, I cover these first home buyers grants in detail in this blog covering what grants are available for first home buyers in WA.
Or, feel free to get in touch with me. I enjoy helping first home buyers make their home ownership dreams a reality. I can help you determine eligibility for the different first home buyer grants in WA, answer your questions, and help you set up a home buyer’s assistance account with us.
Myself and my team of first home builders are dedicated to helping Western Australians on every step of their journey to home ownership.
Whether you need assistance navigating the different WA grants available or want to learn more about our house land packages, I’d be happy to chat with you.
I know that buying your first home can be exciting and scary all at once. But along with my team, I’m here to help make home ownership as easy as possible.
In my guide on financing for first home buyers, I cover tips on affording your first home in WA, including:
- Finding financing for your first home
- Learning about the various first home buyer grants available
- Learning how to check your eligibility for first home buyer grants in WA
- Determining how much you can afford
- How to avoid paying LMI (Lender’s Mortgage Insurance)
Conclusion
Medina topped the list of the cheapest suburbs in Perth but there are a range of other great suburbs to check out as well.
As a nature lover, I especially love Cooloongup and often recommend it to first home buyers seeking a suburb that offers a great mix of nature and residential life.
When you are ready, myself and my team are here to be your one-stop shop for home ownership, offering competitive house and land packages, beautiful home designs, financing, and first home buyer assistance.
From your first chat with us to key handover and beyond, we want to be your trusted guides on your journey to becoming a first home buyer.
