If you have spent any time recently scrolling through property apps until your eyes go blurry, you already know the Perth market has a bit of a wild streak lately. The days of picking up a cheap villa in a blue-chip area for a bargain are mostly behind us. However, Perth still offers a lifestyle that our friends in Sydney or Melbourne would pay double for. Finding your first home here is about being clever with your map and your budget. You want to buy somewhere that feels like home today, but will also be a solid investment when you eventually want to move up the ladder. Whether you are looking for a coastal escape up north or a big backyard in the south, there are still plenty of pockets where your deposit goes further.
This guide is designed to help you navigate the landscape as it stands in 2026. We have moved past the massive spikes of previous years into a more stable, yet competitive, environment. The focus now is on infrastructure and liveability. If you can spot where the new train line is going or where the next trendy cafe strip is emerging, you are already halfway there. Let’s look at where the smart money is going across three different budget tiers.
Fast Facts for 2026
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Market Vibe: Growth is moderating to roughly 8-10% for houses, while units are outperforming at nearly 15-20% due to affordability.
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Infrastructure: Metronet is the big winner. Suburbs near new rail links (like the Ellenbrook line or Yanchep extension) are seeing the most consistent interest.
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Rental Yields: Units are bringing in roughly 5.5% to 6.2%, making them a popular choice for those wanting to rent out a room.
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Buying Tip: Look for “bridesmaid suburbs” that sit right next to expensive hubs but haven’t hit the million-dollar median yet.
I. Entry-Level Options (Under $620,000)
Getting into the market for under $620,000 in Perth requires a bit of an adventurous spirit and a willingness to look at suburbs that might have been overlooked in the past. These areas are often where the most significant transformations happen.
The South-East Corridor
The south-east has long been the heartland for first home buyers, and for good reason. Suburbs like Medina and Armadale offer something that is becoming incredibly rare: land. In Medina, you can often find those lovely old timber-framed cottages on blocks that are 700 square metres or larger. There is a real sense of history here, and the leafy streets give it a village feel that newer estates often lack. Armadale and Camillo are also seeing a bit of a revitalisation. Young couples are moving in, stripping back old carpets, and painting the walls to create modern spaces. The value here is in the dirt. Even if the house is a bit tired, owning a large piece of land so close to a major train line and essential services is a smart long-term play.
The Kwinana Pocket
Parmelia and Calista are fantastic options if you want to be relatively close to the coast without the coastal price tag. These suburbs were built in an era when houses were solid and backyards were meant for cricket games. You will find plenty of three-bedroom, one-bathroom homes here that are perfect for a first-time owner. The local council has invested a lot in public spaces and parks recently, which has made these areas much more attractive for young families. It is a bit of a “sleeper” area. People often drive past it on the way to Rockingham, but those who stop and buy here often find they get a lot more house for their money.
The Mandurah Gateway
Mandurah used to be seen as a holiday destination or a place for retirees, but that has changed completely. With the train taking you to the Perth CBD in under an hour, it is now a genuine commuter hub. Suburbs like Greenfields offer very affordable brick-and-tile homes. You get the benefit of being near the Estuary and the beach, which makes your weekends feel like a holiday. There is a certain relaxed vibe in Mandurah that you don’t get in the city suburbs. For a first home buyer, it is a chance to secure a lifestyle that would be unaffordable anywhere else along the WA coastline.
Inner-Ring Units
If the idea of mowing a lawn sounds like a nightmare, the unit market is your best friend. Suburbs like Osborne Park and Maylands have a high density of older-style apartment blocks. These “six-pack” flats from the 70s and 80s are often much larger than the tiny new apartments being built today. While they might lack a shiny gym or a rooftop pool, they are located in prime spots. Maylands, in particular, has an incredible cafe culture and a great train connection. Buying an older unit here for under $550,000 allows you to live right in the thick of things while still building equity in a high-demand area.
II. The Mid-Tier Growth Zones ($620,000 – $800,000)
This is the most popular price bracket for first home buyers in Perth. It is where you start to see a mix of modern “turn-key” homes and well-located older properties in areas that are about to pop.
The Northern Coastal Corridor
The growth in the far north has been nothing short of relentless. Suburbs like Alkimos and Butler have been the big winners of the Metronet rail extension. Now that the train is actually running, the commute is much more manageable. Alkimos is a master-planned dream for many. You have modern homes, beach access, and new shopping centres all within a few minutes of each other. It feels very fresh and clean. Butler offers a slightly more established version of this, with a bit more variety in housing stock. These areas are perfect if you want a home where you don’t have to spend your weekends at Bunnings fixing leaks.
South-Western Growth
If you head south, Wellard and Baldivis are the heavy hitters. Wellard is particularly interesting because it was designed around the train station. It is a very walkable suburb, which is a bit of a rarity in Perth. Baldivis is much larger and offers everything from compact townhouses to larger family homes. The sense of community in these estates is very strong. You often see neighbours chatting over fences and kids playing in the many local parks. It is a very safe bet for a first home buyer because the demand for rentals and sales in these areas remains consistently high.
Inner-North Value
Nollamara is a suburb that people love to talk about because it is so close to the city. Sitting only about 10 kilometres from the CBD, it offers incredible value. While its neighbours like Yokine have seen prices skyrocket, Nollamara has remained more accessible. You will mostly find villas and townhouses here, which are perfect for professionals who want a short commute. It is definitely a suburb in transition. Every second street seems to have a new development or a renovation happening. It is a classic “bridesmaid” suburb that will eventually catch up to its more expensive neighbours.
Eastern Hubs
Midland and Bellevue are often underrated. Midland has undergone a massive transformation with the new hospital and the redevelopment of the old workshops. It is a major employment hub in its own right now. Bellevue, which sits right next door, offers a bit more of a quiet, residential feel. Being at the foot of the Perth Hills is a major plus for anyone who loves hiking or mountain biking. You are also right on the doorstep of the Swan Valley, which makes for some very pleasant Sunday afternoons. The price point here is very attractive for the level of infrastructure you get.
III. Premium First Home Brackets ($800,000 – $1.1M)
If you have managed to save a larger deposit or have a bit more room in your budget, this tier opens up the “forever home” suburbs. These are areas where you might stay for ten or fifteen years rather than just five.
Northern Gems
Warwick and Padbury are currently the darlings of the northern suburbs. They sit in that perfect spot where you can still see the city skyscrapers on the horizon but you are also ten minutes from the beach. These suburbs were built in the 70s and 80s, so the houses are sturdy and the blocks are big. They have become very popular with young families because of the school catchments. Being in the zone for a good high school can add significant value to a property over time. These areas feel very established and safe, with lots of mature trees and quiet cul-de-sacs.
The Near-South Hub
Rivervale and Carlisle are where you buy if you want to be close to the action. Rivervale is right on the edge of the Lathlain and Victoria Park cafe strips. You have some of the best food in Perth within walking distance. It is also incredibly close to the Optus Stadium and the Crown precinct. Carlisle has a slightly more “gritty” and cool vibe, with lots of character homes and trendy small businesses popping up. The demand here is driven by lifestyle. People want to be able to grab a coffee and walk to the train station, and these suburbs deliver that in spades.
Emerging South-West
Hammond Park and Piara Waters represent the premium end of the new-build market. These suburbs have been carefully planned to feel a bit more upscale. You see more architectural variety in the homes and higher-quality landscaping in the public areas. Hammond Park is great for those who need to commute south to Henderson or Kwinana but still want to be on the train line to the city. Piara Waters has become a massive hit with families due to the high-quality local schools and the sheer number of parks. These are “prestige” growth suburbs where people take a lot of pride in their homes.
Coastal North
Jindalee is for the buyer who wants the ocean to be a part of their daily life. It is further north, but the quality of the homes and the proximity to the water are hard to beat. Unlike the older coastal suburbs, Jindalee is full of modern, multi-storey homes that take advantage of the sea breezes. It is a very aspirational area for first home buyers. If you can stretch your budget to hit this mark, you are securing a piece of the coast that is likely to see steady interest for years to come.
Perth Suburb Snapshot: 2026 Comparison
IV. Strategic Factors for Perth Buyers in 2026
When you are looking at these different price points, it is important to think about the bigger picture. Perth is a city that is heavily influenced by how we move around.
The Metronet Effect
The biggest driver of value in Perth right now is the Metronet project. Any suburb that has recently received a new station or is about to get one should be at the top of your list. We have seen this happen in places like Ellenbrook and Alkimos. When a suburb goes from being “car-dependant” to having a direct train line, the property values almost always see a bump. It makes the area more attractive to renters and future buyers who don’t want to spend two hours a day in traffic on the freeway.
Established vs. New Build
This is the classic first home buyer dilemma. If you build new, you might be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant and you get a house that is exactly how you want it. However, new estates are often further out and can lack mature trees and established shops. On the other hand, buying an established home in an older suburb often means you get a bigger block and a better location, but you might have to deal with old plumbing or outdated kitchens. In 2026, the cost of building has stabilised a bit, but it is still worth doing the math on how much a renovation will actually cost you before you commit.
The “Bridesmaid” Strategy
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book but it still works perfectly in Perth. If you love a particular suburb but find it is $50,000 out of your reach, look at the suburb right next to it. Often, the “bridesmaid” suburb shares the same parks, the same train station, and the same shopping centres, but the postcode carries a slightly lower price tag. Over time, as the expensive suburb becomes even more unaffordable, people naturally flow into the neighbouring area, pushing those prices up too. It is a great way to “manufacture” a bit of equity by being patient.
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Buying your first home in Perth is a massive achievement, especially in a market that has been as fast-moving as ours. It is easy to feel pressured to make a decision quickly, but it is better to be thorough. Spend your Saturday mornings going to home opens even if you aren’t ready to buy yet. Get a feel for the different pockets of the suburbs you are interested in. You will notice that some streets feel much better than others, or that one part of a suburb is much closer to the shops.
Don’t be afraid to talk to the local agents and let them know what you are looking for. Sometimes the best properties are the ones that don’t even make it onto the big websites because they are sold to someone on the agent’s database first. Keep an eye on the interest rates and make sure you have a bit of a buffer in your budget. Perth is a great place to live and owning a piece of it is one of the best ways to secure your financial future. Whether you end up in a renovated cottage in Medina or a shiny new house in Alkimos, the most important thing is that you have a foot in the door. The Perth market has a way of rewarding those who take the plunge, so take your time, do your research, and trust your gut when you find the right place.
