An annual study conducted by realestate.com.au has revealed the Hot 100 suburbs across all of Australia, meaning those that are going to be growing and in demand throughout 2026 and beyond.
Many of these suburbs might be going through big changes and upheavals whereas due to gentrification, a demographic shift or rezoning. If you’ve been paying attention to the housing market — whether because you’re looking or simply as a form of masochism — you may recognize a supply-demand imbalance in some of them. But there’s good news too, with some areas making a comeback after going through tough times.
The list was compiled by a panel of industry experts, who selected the 100 suburbs based on a number of factors that indicate growth. As REA Group senior economist Eleanor Creagh explained, many of them are located within an emerging growth corridor with prices set to benefit from major infrastructure projects — in Queensland’s case, Olympics infrastructure and transport, for one.
As Ms Creagh put it, “Queensland’s entries are split between inner Brisbane gentrification and the broader southeast Queensland growth story with relatively affordable housing, strong jobs growth and transport hubs and Olympic-tied infrastructure underpinning demand from owner-occupier buyers and investors.”
With 17 nominations in this year’s Hot 100, the theme across Queensland is affordability and growth, with many picks for outer fringe Brisbane, as well as the locations set to benefit from the upcoming Olympics.
Queensland’s hottest suburbs in 2026
- Baringa, Sunshine Coast: with a population of 4,604, the median price for a house here is $850,000, and median rent price is $650 to $700.
- Bray Park, Moreton Bay: with a population of 10,271, the median price for a house here is $864,000, and median rent price is $610.
- Bundaberg, Wide Bay: with a population of 5,563, the median price for a house here is $543,000, and median rent price is $385 to $520.
- Cairns, Cairns: with a population of 3,616, the median price for a unit here is $673,000, and median rent price is $595.
- Griffin, Moreton Bay: with a population of 12,295, the median price for a house here is $888,000, and median rent price is $560 to $675.
- Herston, Brisbane: with a population of 2,311, the median price for a unit here is $770,000, and median rent price is $580 to $733.
- Highfields, Toowoomba: with a population of 8,568, the median price for a house here is $975,000, and median rent price is $530 to $650.
- Logan Central, Logan: with a population of 6,356, the median price for a house here is $734,000, and median rent price is $395 to $530.
- Lowood, Ipswich: with a population of 4,082, the median price for a house here is $681,000, and median rent price is $460 to $550.
- Mackay, Mackay: with a population of 4,026, the median price for a house here is $558,000, and median rent price is $435 to $525.
- Petrie, Moreton Bay: with a population of 8,722, the median price for a house here is $900,000, and median rent price is $508 to $600.
- Plainland, Ipswich: with a population of 1,930, the median price for a house here is $787,000, and median rent price is $660.
- Ripley, Ipswich: with a population of 12,774, the median price for a house here is $790,000, and median rent price is $503 to $600.
- Townsville, Townsville: with a population of 2,945, the median price for a unit here is $455,000, and median rent price is $540 to $550.
- Upper Coomera, Gold Coast: with a population of 27,180, the median price for a house here is $1,021,000, and median rent price is $680 to $780.
- Wavell Heights, Brisbane: with a population of 10,336, the median price for a house here is $1,500,000, and median rent price is $570 to $725.
- Yeronga, Brisbane: with a population of 10,200, the median price for a house here is $1,720,000, and median rent price is $580 to $750.
You can find the full data and hot suburbs in other parts of Australia here.