Townsville is shrugging off the property downturn in the south, seeing dwelling prices rise in the past month.
Townsville has cemented its reputation as Queensland’s most bulletproof property market, defying the national downturn to post fresh gains as the southeast nurses $77k losses.
Townsville dwelling prices rose 0.3 per cent in October to a median of $627,000, according to the latest Realestate.com.au Home Price Index – at a time when property owners in Brisbane and the Gold Coast bleed peak-to-trough losses of $77,321 and $51,946 respectively.
Realestate.com.au senior economist Eleanor Creagh Picture, John Gass
The monthly bounceback was spearheaded by houses, which climbed 0.4 per cent over October to a median of $659,000 after values had slipped 0.6 per cent ($3,978) over the preceding quarter.
At roughly half the price of a Brisbane house ($1.15m) and less than half of a Gold Coast home ($1.39m), Townsville’s cut-price entry point continues to shield locals from mortgage distress while delivering an annual SA4 growth rate of 6.2 per cent.
Townsville unit prices dipped an imperceptible 0.1 per cent in October to $519,000 – which is just $520 graze off its peak, but remains an astonishing 11.3 per cent higher than a year ago.
That’s given apartment owners a clean $52,654 equity windfall in just 12 months.
Realestate.com.au senior economist Eleanor Creagh said Townsville’s tight housing supply and sharp pricing continue to attract buyers locked out of southern postcodes.
“Townsville’s relative affordability and local housing supply constraints have helped support prices despite the broader downturn, although momentum has moderated,” she said.
Townsville remains one of Queensland’s more resilient housing markets.
“With another interest rate rise likely, affordability will become increasingly important in determining whether Townsville can maintain its relative resilience into 2027.”
But Ms Creagh warned while Townsville has avoided the heavy falls seen down south, it is not completely detached from broader market headwinds.
“Townsville remains one of Queensland’s more resilient housing markets, but the broader loss of momentum shows even relatively affordable markets are feeling the effects of higher borrowing costs and weaker confidence,” she said.
“A fifth interest rate increase would add further pressure to Queensland housing markets at a time when buyer demand is already weakening.
“The Gold Coast is more exposed to this affordability squeeze given its much higher property prices, while Cairns and Townsville retain a degree of protection from their comparatively lower price points.”
Median $627,000 | MoM: +0.3% | Annual SA4 Growth: +6.2% (Top 4 in QLD)
Median $659,000 | MoM: +0.4% | QoQ: -0.6% | YoY: +5.2% | Drop from Peak: -$3,978 (-0.6%)
Median $519,000 | MoM: -0.1% | YoY: +11.3% (+$52,654 windfall) | Drop in Oct: -$520 (-0.1%)
Source: PropTrack / Realestate.com.au Home Price Index (October 2026)
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