Australia’s regional cities continue to attract capital city dwellers, with migration to regional areas significantly outpacing movements in the opposite direction.

The latest Regional Movers Index reveals that 32.2% more people are relocating from capital cities to regional areas than vice versa, reflecting a sustained demand for housing in regional markets.

Migration from regional areas back to the capitals accounted for just 8.6% of total moves, marking the second-lowest share of regional-to-capital migration since COVID-19 lockdowns were lifted three years ago.

This trend highlights the ongoing appeal of regional living, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria, which together accounted for 71% of all net regional inflows in the December quarter of 2024—a notable increase from 66% in the same period last year.

The Sunshine Coast remains the most sought-after regional destination for city movers, maintaining its top ranking for the ninth consecutive quarter, although demand has gradually declined.

Other high-growth regional markets include Lake Macquarie, Greater Geelong, Moorabool, and Maitland, which continue to attract strong interest from homebuyers and investors.