Regional NT rental growth outpaces Australia as Darwin prices hit record highs – realestate.com.au

Rents in Darwin rose by more than 8 per cent to a record high in 2025, despite remaining flat in the final quarter of the year, while regional NT saw the strongest rental price growth in the country last year.

The latest Market Insight report from realestate.com.au showed the average advertised rental price in Darwin remained the same throughout the December quarter, but increased by 8.3 per cent year-on-year.

This pushed Darwin’s average weekly rent to a record high of $650.

REA Group senior economist Anne Flaherty said growth in unit rental prices in Darwin outpaced housing growth over the year to December.

The average rental price per unit increased by 1.7 percent last quarter and by 9.1 percent in 2025.

The average home rent did not change in the last three months of 2025, but increased by 5.9 percent year on year.

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REA Group senior economist Anne Flaherty. Image: supplied

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Regional NT recorded the strongest quarterly and annual growth of all capital city and regional markets in December, with average rent increases of 7.7 percent quarter-on-quarter and 9.8 percent year-on-year.

“The average weekly rent in regional NT also reached a record high, reaching $560 in December 2025,” Ms Flaherty said.

The unit market has seen particularly strong growth, with rental prices rising 14.3 per cent in the December quarter and 14.8 per cent since December 2024 to an average of $480.

Average house rent in regional NT rose 3.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 8.9 per cent year-on-year to $490 last month.

Nationally, rents were unchanged in the December quarter and rose 3.2 percent in 2025 to an average of $650.

The average rent in the capitals was $670 in December, up 3.1 percent year-on-year, while in regional areas the average rent was $600 last month, up 5.3 percent year-on-year.

The property at 22 Matthews Rd, Malak, is available to rent for $700 per week. Image: realestate.com.au

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“The rate at which rents are rising in Australia’s capital cities has slowed from a year ago, but remains high in regional areas,” Ms Flaherty said.

“While a slowdown in rental growth is good news for renters, costs remain a significant challenge for many, with the annual average rent $11,960 higher compared to five years ago.

“During the December quarter, Melbourne was the second cheapest capital city to rent, behind only Hobart, although the city is on track to become the cheapest due to strong growth in Tasmania.

“Sydney remains the most expensive city for renters, with an average rent of $760 per week.”

Ms Flaherty said rents were at record highs in every market in December and new records were expected to be reached in 2026.

“While rental growth is expected to continue to moderate in 2026, vacancy rates remain low and population growth will drive demand for more rental properties,” she said.