We searched current Homely listings across eight Australian capitals to see just how dramatically the same rental budget can change from city to city.
A rental budget can stretch, shrink and completely transform depending on the postcode.
To see just how much location matters, we set a budget of approximately $700 per week and searched Homely for homes available across Australia’s eight capital cities.
The results range from a studio-style apartment in the heart of Sydney to three-bedroom homes in Hobart and Canberra. In Adelaide, the same weekly spend could even secure a three-storey townhouse.
This is not a comparison of median rents or identical properties. It is a snapshot of real homes advertised on Homely at around the same price, showing the different compromises and possibilities renters face around Australia.
Here is what we found.
Topics in this article:
Sydney: CBD convenience in a studio-style apartment
In Sydney, $700 per week puts location ahead of space.
This World Tower apartment on Liverpool Street is listed as a one-bedroom home but described as a large, open-plan studio. It comes with one bathroom, a balcony and no car space.
What it lacks in room, it makes up for in convenience. Residents have access to a pool, spa, sauna, gym and concierge, with supermarkets, public transport, dining and some of Sydney’s best-known destinations close by.
For renters determined to live in the middle of the action, the address is the attraction.
What $700 gets you: Studio-style apartment, one bathroom, balcony, no parking and an impressive collection of shared amenities.
Melbourne: One bedroom, a study and plenty of amenities
Melbourne delivers a little more flexibility for the same price.
At West Side Place on Lonsdale Street, $700 per week gets you a modern one-bedroom apartment with a separate study.
That extra space could make a meaningful difference for anyone working from home. The apartment also includes a contemporary kitchen, built-in storage and access to an indoor pool, gym, sauna, steam room, cinema and landscaped terraces.
There is no car space, but Southern Cross Station and several tram routes are nearby.
What $700 gets you: One bedroom, a study, one bathroom, no parking and resort-style facilities.
Brisbane: A townhouse, courtyard and two-car garage
The space equation changes considerably in Brisbane.
In leafy Red Hill, this two-bedroom townhouse on Glenrosa Road is available for $700 per week.
It features two bathrooms, an open-plan living and dining area, a private courtyard, a balcony off the main bedroom and a two-car lock-up garage. Residents also have access to the complex swimming pool.
Compared with the Sydney and Melbourne examples, the jump in private indoor and outdoor space is difficult to miss.
What $700 gets you: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a courtyard, balcony, pool access and a two-car garage.
Perth: A furnished home near the river
In East Perth, $700 per week can secure a furnished two-bedroom home with parking.
This Royal Street property includes one bathroom, a balcony and a car space. The second bedroom is smaller and could also work well as a home office.
The home is close to the Swan River, Claisebrook Cove, cafés, restaurants, public transport and Optus Stadium. Because it is already furnished, it could also reduce the upfront cost and effort of moving.
What $700 gets you: Two bedrooms, one bathroom, a balcony, one car space and furniture included.
Adelaide: A three-storey city townhouse
Adelaide provides perhaps the most surprising result of the search.
For $700 per week, renters could secure this three-storey townhouse on Gray Street, around a 10-minute walk from the centre of the Adelaide CBD.
The unfurnished home has two bedrooms with built-in robes, two bathrooms, a modern kitchen, ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning and a secure single garage.
The contrast is striking. The same weekly budget that gets you a studio-style apartment without parking in Sydney gets you three levels of living and your own garage in Adelaide.
What $700 gets you: A three-storey townhouse with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a secure garage.
Hobart: Three bedrooms and city views
In West Hobart, $700 per week reaches three-bedroom territory.
This Lansdowne Crescent flat includes three well-sized bedrooms, a spacious kitchen and dining area and an additional landing that could double as a study.
The property also has views across the city towards the Eastern Shore and is close to local cafés, a grocer and a primary school.
There are some trade-offs. The home is accessed by external stairs and has on-street parking only. Even so, the bedroom count and flexible living space stand out at this price.
What $700 gets you: Three bedrooms, one bathroom, a potential study space, city views and on-street parking.
Canberra: A renovated family home for $695
Five dollars under budget, Canberra offers an entire renovated home.
This three-bedroom property in Ngunnawal is advertised for $695 per week and includes two bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen and living area, ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning and a covered outdoor entertaining area.
It also has an enclosed single carport and is located close to schools, parks, shops and Gungahlin town centre.
For renters who value bedrooms, outdoor space and a suburban setting, this is one of the strongest all-round packages in the search.
What $695 gets you: Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, covered outdoor entertaining and an enclosed carport.
Darwin: Tropical living and an entertaining balcony
In Parap, $700 per week gets you a spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit designed for tropical living.
This Mackillop Street property features an open-plan living and dining area flowing onto a large covered balcony, plus air conditioning, ceiling fans, lift access and a private storage room.
The generous balcony gives the home a strong indoor-outdoor feel, with plenty of space for entertaining or relaxing outside.
What $700 gets you: Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large covered balcony, lift access and private storage.
So, where does $700 go furthest?
That depends on what “value” means to you.
Sydney and Melbourne put you close to the centre of city life, with extensive building amenities, but less private space. Brisbane and Perth provide additional bedrooms, parking and more room to spread out.
Adelaide delivers the biggest surprise, with a three-storey townhouse close to the CBD. Hobart and Canberra offer the most bedrooms, while Darwin combines generous living areas with an outdoor lifestyle.
The real lesson is that a rental budget is only the beginning. Your postcode determines whether that money goes towards location, bedrooms, parking, outdoor space or building facilities.
Before beginning your search, decide which features are genuinely non-negotiable. You may discover that moving your preferred location by a suburb, a city or even a state completely changes what is possible.
See how far your rental budget could go on Homely.
Listings, prices and availability were correct at the time of writing and may change without notice. Always confirm property details with the listing agent.
