Overview
- Nearly half of metropolitan Australians aged 18–29 say they are considering a move to the regions, outpacing millennials, with baby boomers least likely to relocate.
- More than 5.3 million metropolitan residents—about 37 percent—report they would consider living in regional Australia.
- Cheaper living costs and more affordable housing lead the pull factors, alongside perceptions of higher pay, faster career progression, flexible work and relocation incentives.
- Only 23 percent of Gen Z considering a move plan to do so within two years, rising to 37 percent within five years, with fear of social isolation the top barrier at 44 percent.
- RAI’s Regional Movers Index shows capital-to-region moves made up 11.5 percent of major relocations versus 8.4 percent the other way, while separate data reports regional property values rising faster than in capital cities in the latest quarter.