Canberra House Prices 2026 — ACT Property Market Update and Suburb Guide

Canberra House Prices 2026 — Overview

Canberra consistently records Australia's highest median household income of any capital city, and this is reflected in its property market. The ACT's land lease system (the territory government owns land and grants 99-year leases) is unique to Canberra among Australian capital cities. The public service employment base provides stability, and Canberra's relatively low unemployment creates consistent demand for housing. Median house prices in Canberra are among the highest of any Australian capital city, routinely competing with Brisbane and Melbourne for second or third place behind Sydney.

Canberra Median Property Prices

• Median house price (ACT) — Approximately $870,000 to $920,000 across greater Canberra as of 2025-26.
• Median unit/apartment price (ACT) — Approximately $550,000 to $590,000 for units and apartments across Canberra. The ACT has a significant purpose-built apartment market, particularly in the inner south and Belconnen.
• Inner south (Griffith, Red Hill, Forrest) — Premium ACT suburbs regularly record house prices of $1.5 million to over $3 million.
• Inner north (Ainslie, Braddon, Campbell) — Established inner north homes range from $1.1 million to over $2 million.
• New developments (Molonglo Valley, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong) — Greenfield and established outer area suburbs offer entry-level ACT property from $650,000 to $900,000.

ACT Land Lease System

Canberra's unique land lease system means buyers purchase a leasehold interest in the land rather than freehold ownership. Annual land rates (Canberra's equivalent of council rates) are based on the land value and are paid to the ACT Government as the landowner. The system affects how Canberra properties are valued and transacted — buyers should understand this distinction when comparing ACT property to interstate freehold markets.

First Home Buyers in Canberra

The ACT Government's First Home Owner Grant and Stamp Duty Concession schemes assist eligible first home buyers — see revenue.act.gov.au for current thresholds.

Current Canberra Property Data

For current ACT property prices and suburb data, visit domain.com.au, realestate.com.au or the Real Estate Institute of the ACT at reia.com.au.

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.