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AAP
AAP
Farid Farid

Million-dollar homes here to stay in record five cities

Melbourne is one of five Australian cities where the median house price has reached seven figures. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Buyers beware - it costs an average of $1 million to enter the housing market in most major cities as political leaders try to woo potential homeowners.

Adelaide has become the fifth capital city to break into the million-dollar club, with the median house price in South Australia's capital now $1,000,202.

Domain's March House Price Report, released on Thursday, revealed the city of churches has joined Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra on the million-dollar list. 

The highest median house price in the country is an eye-watering $1.7 million in Sydney.

Melbourne skyline
"The element of urgency" is starting to relax among potential home-buyers, experts say. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

While house prices across the country continue to rise, the pace of growth has slowed to a third of what it was in 2024.

There were higher levels of housing supply in cities such as Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth but they were not enough to bring down record prices nationally, Domain's chief of research Nicola Powell said.

"What we have seen over time is a widening gap between where home prices are and the capacity of buyers to pay for a home," she told AAP.

"The element of urgency is starting to relax amongst buyers because they have more choice.

"It is a good thing supply is rising but that doesn't mean we still don't have a housing crisis."

Dr Powell said it was an opportune time to buy, with both major parties putting forward policies to lure first homebuyers ahead of the May 3 election and expectations the Reserve Bank would cut interest rates.

Canberra is the best bet for those looking to rent, recording the lowest rent increase of all capitals in the first quarter of 2025.

It was a welcome reprieve for tenants after the city recorded the highest quarterly increase in rent of any capital in the December 2024 quarter.

Melbourne skyline
Higher levels of supply in some cities have not been enough to bring down record prices nationally. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

The average price to rent nationwide is about $650 a week - five per cent higher than in 2024 and an extra $1560 a year for tenants to fork out.

"Sydney remains the most expensive city to rent in, with renters paying an additional $70 per week," REA Group's senior economist Anne Flaherty said.

"Compared with Melbourne, a renter in Sydney is typically paying $9100 more per year in rent."

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