Housing affordability is one of the most compelling practical features of regional Victoria — particularly for skilled migrants building a life in Australia with families or plans for home ownership.
Housing in regional Victoria
For many people building a life in a new country, owning a home is both a practical goal and a meaningful one. A home represents stability and the start of a new chapter in a place that feels genuinely yours. In regional Victoria, that goal is within reach.
Median house prices in Ballarat sit at approximately $590,000-$670,000; in Bendigo around $630,000; Sale $525,000; and Shepparton $498,000, all in established cities with hospitals, universities, good schools, and direct transport links. This level of housing affordability can make a real difference to your financial life.
Homes in regional Victoria's cities and towns are typically close to town centres, schools, services, and workplaces, which means shorter commutes and more time for the things that matter. For many families, that combination of space, affordability, and proximity is what makes regional living so appealing.
Regional Victoria is also known for generous homes, with space for a study, a garden, and room for a growing family, set in towns and cities where neighbours know each other and community life is genuinely close at hand.
"If you're planning to buy a house and get settled, definitely choose regional Victoria" - Ayush Mainali from Nepal, settled in Bendigo.
Renting in the regions
If you're arriving in Victoria and looking to rent before buying, regional Victoria offers plenty of options. Cities and towns across the regions have well-priced rental markets, with a good range of properties available across towns and cities at accessible price points.
Renting regionally also gives you time to explore different towns and suburbs before committing to a purchase. Many people find that living in a regional area for six to twelve months gives them time to get a sense of how it ‘feels’ to live there, revealing aspects of neighbourhoods and communities that are difficult to discover through research alone.
For information on renting in Victoria, including your rights as a tenant, how to apply for a rental property, and what to expect from the process, visit the Renting section of Live in Melbourne.
Buying a home
If you want to buy a home, regional Victoria offers fantastic pathways to home ownership across a range of price points. First home buyers may also be eligible for state government grants and stamp duty concessions, with specific provisions for regional purchasers.
First Home Owner Grant
First home buyers purchasing or building a new home in regional Victoria may be eligible for a $20,000 First Home Owner Grant, double the $10,000 available to metropolitan buyers. This reflects the Victorian Government's commitment to supporting people to put down roots in the regions.
For full eligibility information, visit the State Revenue Office Victoria.
Region | Character | Median house price (approx.) | Distance to Melbourne |
|---|---|---|---|
Geelong (Barwon South West) | Victoria's second-largest city; coastal lifestyle; strong urban amenity | ~$700,000–$750,000 | 45 min by express train |
Ballarat (Grampians) | Heritage city; wide streets; Federation-era homes alongside modern estates | ~$590,000–$670,000 | 64 min by express train |
Bendigo | Growing regional city; arts precinct; mix of period and contemporary housing | ~$580,000–$650,000 | ~1.5 hr drive |
Shepparton (Hume) | Affordable family living; strong multicultural community; warm climate | ~$498,000 | ~2 hr drive |
Sale / Traralgon (Gippsland) | Spacious living; gateway to natural landscapes; affordable entry prices | ~$450,000–$525,000 | ~1.5–2 hr drive |
"We just recently bought a house and that made us finally feel at home, like we've reached a destination where we want to stay." Matthias Wockenfuss from Germany. Settled Torquay
More information
For information on renting, buying, and housing in Victoria:
- Housing and utilities — Live in Melbourne
- Renting in Victoria — Live in Melbourne
- First Home Owner Grant — State Revenue Office Victoria
To research property prices and rental listings in regional Victoria:
To compare towns and regions across Australia: