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10 Cheapest Suburbs to Buy a House in Perth
Perth's median house price continues to climb, putting homeownership out of reach for many first-time buyers. But dig into the suburb-level data and a different picture emerges — pockets of genuine affordability still exist across the metro area.
How we found Perth's cheapest suburbs
We ranked every Perth metro suburb by median house price, filtering for communities with a population above 500 to ensure you're looking at real neighbourhoods, not ghost towns or industrial zones.
For each suburb we also show:
- Crime score — because cheap shouldn't mean unsafe
- Median weekly rent — useful if you're weighing buy vs. rent
- CBD drive time — the commute trade-off you're making for affordability
What to expect at this price point
The suburbs on this list sit well below the metro median. Most are in Perth's outer ring — 25-45km from the CBD — where land is cheaper and density is lower. Some are established suburbs with mature infrastructure; others are newer developments still building out amenities.
The key question isn't just "can I afford it?" but "does the lifestyle trade-off work for me?" A cheaper house with a longer commute might be perfect for a remote worker but painful for someone commuting to the CBD five days a week.
Medina
Medina is an affordable, established suburb in Perth's southern Kwinana corridor that regularly catches newcomers off guard with how liveable it feels. Community life revolves around the oval and local schools, and beach access is closer than the price tag suggests. Safety questions linger for those considering the move, but the value proposition, especially for first-home buyers, is hard to ignore in the current market.
Armadale
Armadale is perhaps Perth's most name-checked suburb in crime conversations, sitting at the foot of the Darling Scarp about 26 km southeast of the CBD. The new Metronet station is a major upgrade, but locals joke that the prettiest thing about the old station was the departures board. Beyond the headlines, people note access to excellent hills trails, a functioning town centre, and housing prices that investors are starting to notice. It remains a suburb where reputation and reality overlap more than residents would like, though pockets away from the train line are described as perfectly liveable.
Calista
Calista is an affordable, established outer suburb 42km south of Perth in the City of Kwinana, adjacent to the industrial corridor. Housing is older-style with generous block sizes at entry-level prices, though even these have surprised residents amid the broader Perth boom. The suburb is car dependent with limited local amenities, and carries a working-class reputation, but offers space and affordability that inner suburbs cannot match.
Hillman
Hillman is a quiet, affordable residential suburb in the City of Rockingham, about 5 minutes from the beach. It offers genuine value for budget-conscious buyers and investors seeking coastal proximity without premium prices. The suburb is established but low-profile, bushfire risk near the hospital precinct is a noted concern, and most daily needs require a car. It suits retirees and long-term investors more than young professionals.
Camillo
Camillo sits quietly in Perth's southeast, close to Armadale, known primarily as an affordable entry point into the property market. Community discussion skews heavily toward safety concerns: drug incidents, dangerous driving, and property crime feature prominently. The suburb carries a rough reputation that has persisted over years, though its low prices and established streetscapes attract buyers willing to overlook its challenges.
Brookdale
Brookdale is an affordable outer suburb in Perth's south-eastern Armadale corridor, attracting first homebuyers with house-and-land packages on former rural land. Reddit discussion skews toward safety incidents, including a Tactical Response Group deployment and community vigilantism, alongside infrastructure complaints like long-standing potholes. Car dependent and light on amenities, it suits budget-conscious buyers prioritising space over lifestyle convenience.
Parmelia
Parmelia is a south-of-river suburb in the Kwinana corridor, most often discussed in the context of affordability and investment potential. It consistently appears on budget buyer shortlists under $650k, with decent block sizes appealing to FIFO workers and young families. Safety concerns are a recurring theme, with the suburb frequently grouped with nearby Kwinana-area localities when discussing crime. Freeway access makes it functional for commuters, but it lacks lifestyle amenities.
Orelia
Orelia is a modest, established suburb in Perth's southern Kwinana corridor, long known as one of the more affordable entry points into home ownership. It carries a mixed reputation, with persistent concerns about crime and proximity to heavy industry tempering its appeal. Yet price growth has been dramatic, with medians roughly tripling since 2019. Families and first buyers weigh the low cost against the neighbourhood's rough edges.
The affordability trade-off
Buying in these suburbs means accepting distance from Perth's urban core. But with remote and hybrid work reshaping commute patterns, that trade-off is shifting in favour of outer suburbs.
Several suburbs on this list have seen double-digit price growth over the past two years — suggesting the market is catching on to the value here.
Before you buy
Price alone doesn't tell the full story. We recommend investigating:
- Infrastructure pipeline — new train stations or road upgrades can transform a suburb's value proposition
- School quality — check our school ratings explorer for NAPLAN results in these areas
- Crime trends — a low price might reflect safety concerns; check the crime explorer for year-over-year data
Use our comparison tool to stack these suburbs against each other on the metrics that matter most to you.
Data & methodology
Suburbs are ranked by median house price (lowest first), sourced from real estate listing data. Only Perth metro suburbs with a population above 500 and a recorded median house price are included — this filters out rural localities and industrial zones.
Additional metrics shown (crime score, median rent, CBD drive time) are not used in the ranking but provide context for evaluating each suburb. Crime score is our composite safety metric from WA Police data. Drive times are from Google Maps API.
Data sources: real estate websites (house prices), WA Police (crime), Google Maps API (drive times), ABS Census 2021 (population).
Nick Lilleyman
Founder & Data Lead, Burb Score
Nick built Burb Score to give Perth families a data-driven view of where to live. He works directly with the ACARA, WA Police, ABS Census, WA Rental Bonds and real estate datasets that power every ranking on this site. Rankings are generated programmatically from official data sources, not opinions, and refresh automatically. No sponsored content or paid placements.
Frequently asked questions
How is the median house price calculated?
Median house price is the middle value of recent house sales in a suburb — half sold for more, half for less. It's sourced from real estate listing data and is more reliable than average price because it isn't skewed by a few unusually expensive or cheap sales.
Are these suburbs safe to live in?
It varies. Some affordable suburbs have crime scores above 60 (safer than average), while others score lower. Each suburb card shows the crime score alongside the price. We recommend checking the detailed crime breakdown on each suburb's crime profile before making a decision.
Why are cheap suburbs mostly in the outer metro?
Land costs are the primary driver of house prices. Inner suburbs command a premium due to proximity to the CBD, beaches, and established amenities. Outer suburbs (25-45km from CBD) have lower land values but often larger blocks and newer housing stock. The trade-off is commute time and access to services.
Are house prices in these suburbs rising or falling?
Most Perth suburbs have seen price growth over the past 2-3 years, including many affordable outer suburbs. However, growth rates vary significantly. Check individual suburb profiles for price trend data, or use the affordability explorer for broader trends.
Should I buy in a cheap suburb or rent in a better one?
This depends on your financial situation, lifestyle priorities, and how long you plan to stay. Buying builds equity but ties you to a location; renting offers flexibility. Our explore tool lets you compare suburbs across multiple metrics to find the right fit for your priorities.
Explore these suburbs further