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When discussing Australian property markets that have enjoyed a stellar run of growth in recent years, Brisbane invariably appears among the top contenders.
Last year was an exceptional one for the Sunshine State capital, as demand, fuelled by infrastructure spending, migration, and business confidence, met a tight housing supply.
But as we look forward, what does this year hold in store for Brisbane and where are the opportunities to buy well and enjoy gains in 2026?
I recently released my Australian Property Market Outlook 2026 to 2031 report. In it we studied the numbers, drawing in data from more than 20 leading housing analysts, major research houses, ABS, RBA, HIA and PropTrack. In addition, I gathered intel via expert interviews with economists, including Shane Oliver, Tim Lawless, Nerida Conisbee and Andrew Wilson.
Sifting through the report reveals information that shows Brisbane is certainly a market worth tracking in 2026 and beyond.
My analysis indicates Brisbane will lead Australia's capital cities in residential property price gains, with the market positioned to deliver approximately 31 percent growth in house prices between 2025 and 2030. Units are expected to perform similarly, with a projected 30 percent increase over the same five-year period.
So, if my numbers hold, by 2030 the median Brisbane house price should sit around $1.45 million, up from approximately $1.195 million in 2026. Units are forecast to reach $1.026 million by 2030.
These reflect a market moving with impressive momentum.
There are three fundamental factors that will drive these gains: undersupply, population growth, and investor interest rekindled by strong rental yields.
Australia's housing supply crisis is real, and Brisbane's story is central to this.
Queensland needs to build an additional 96,000 homes to meet its 2029 target under the housing accord, yet current projections suggest the state will fall significantly short of this mark.
This structural undersupply is one of the most powerful forces driving the market right now.
When demand consistently outpaces supply—no matter what the commodity or asset – prices rise. It's economics 101, but it's a fundamental dynamic that will continue to support value growth in Brisbane property through 2026 and beyond.
This means that buyers who act ASAP to secure Brisbane real estate will benefit most from these gains. Every delay will see you purchasing later in what is now an established growth cycle.
Queensland has been one of the prime beneficiaries of the population moving across borders. The state has seen a net increase of nearly 24,000 residents, more than twice Western Australia's. Most of this migration comes from New South Wales and Victoria, where a combination of historically high house prices and quality-of-life considerations are prompting people to make the move north.
The lifestyle appeal of Brisbane, combined with the economic opportunities the city offers, suggest this number of new arrivals will continue in the coming years, helping support strong housing demand throughout 2026 and beyond.
For investors, this population inflow translates directly into tighter vacancy rates and growing rents. For owner-occupiers, it means Brisbane remains a city where your investment is backed by fundamental demographic growth.
Brisbane's rental market is one of the tightest in the country. The vacancy rate sits at approximately 0.9 per cent which is well below the two-to-three per cent range often quoted as a "balanced market".
Rents have climbed around 65 per cent over the past decade, and this is expected to continue. In fact, data suggests tenants will need to prepare for the median rent of a two-bedroom apartment in the CBD to reach $1000 per week sometime soon
Tight vacancy rates and rising rents are creating attractive yield opportunities for those building their portfolios for 2026.
And of course, bolstered property prices on the back of investor activity benefits owner occupiers who hold real estate assets in Brisbane as well.
If you're considering where to focus your search, there are many suburbs that are well-positioned for impressive capital growth in 2026. The key will be identifying areas with the right fundamentals, and then focusing on those properties that tick the boxes for traditional capital growth drivers.
Here are a few examples of areas I think it will be worth watching in 2026.
Chermside represents Brisbane's "mini-CBD of the North," with significant local employment, major shopping and retail facilities, and excellent transport links. The suburb is undergoing gentrification, with older homes being replaced by modern attached housing, attracting a younger demographic and driving property values upward. For buyers keen to be part of property price growth here, detached housing with future development potential could prove an exceptional investment.
Nundah is similarly in Brisbane's north and combines exceptional transport connectivity, including its own train station and proximity to the airport, with a vibrant village atmosphere. This suburb has been transformed in recent years from a drive-through address to a genuine destination.
Moorooka is one of those older, suburban Brisbane address where renovateable homes and three-story, walk-up unit complexes dominate. The area is really transforming now. It has been relatively affordable for some time, although gentrification is seeing prices tick up at a
pace. The suburb's elevated positions in parts also delivers city views to some properties, and its proximity to transport and green spaces makes it particularly attractive to first-home buyers and young families.
Springwood, which is strategically located where the Pacific and Gateway motorways meet, is emerging as a commercial hub for the Logan region. It offers value for money, with strong infrastructure investment and growing employment opportunities, making it appealing to investors seeking capital growth at a lower entry price point.
For those with deeper pockets wanting true blue-chip options, Paddington remains one of Brisbane's premium inner-city lifestyle destinations. Character homes, proximity to the CBD, excellent schools, and ongoing gentrification ensure this suburb continues to see strong capital growth driven by the scarcity of supply and consistent demand. Entry-level homes here are priced upward of $1.7 million now, but recent sales suggest they will never be this low again.
If you're a Brisbane homebuyer, the message is clear: the window of affordable entry within five kilometres of the CBD is closing quickly. Brisbane's growth cycle is well underway, and waiting on the sidelines isn't an option.
If you're an investor, the combination of capital growth forecasts and tight rental conditions creates a compelling opportunity. Brisbane's rental market fundamentals are solid, vacancy rates are extremely tight, and rents keep moving upward. This is a market where both yield and capital growth are working in your favour.
Of course, choosing the right property for your needs and securing it at a realistic price is challenging in a market like this. The value delivered by an independent professional buyer's agent with skills, experience and solid local contacts is immense.
If you want to be part of the growing Brisbane story in 2026, don't hesitate. Contact our local experts, led by Glenn Sainsbury, and we'll make the Brisbane lifestyle dream a reality.
To have one of the friendly Propertybuyer Buyers' Agents to contact you:
call us on 1300 655 615 today.