Affordability Guide
Perth Suburbs Under $700k: Best Value Properties in 2026
15 April 2026 · 8 min read
Quick Answer
You can still buy a freestanding house in Perth for under $700,000 in 2026, but your options are concentrated in the outer ring — suburbs like Armadale, Gosnells, Midland, Balga, Rockingham and Mandurah. Many mid-ring Perth suburbs that were under $700,000 two years ago have since moved above that threshold, so the under-$700K market now means trading proximity for price.
What $700,000 Gets You in Perth in 2026
Perth's property market ran exceptionally hard between 2022 and 2025. The city's relative affordability compared to Sydney and Melbourne attracted strong interstate migration, and limited housing supply pushed prices up across all corridors. Suburbs that were solidly under $700,000 in 2022 are now often sitting in the $750,000 to $900,000 range.
Under $700,000 still gets you a genuine freestanding house with a decent-sized block in Perth's outer ring. These properties typically sit on 500 to 800 square metres, are detached brick homes, and are within 20 to 50 kilometres of the CBD. You won't be getting a Subiaco terrace for this price — but you can own a four-bedroom family home with a backyard.
Perth Suburbs Under $700k in 2026
Armadale — Best value under $600k with rail access
Armadale is 35 kilometres southeast of the CBD and consistently offers Perth's lowest prices among suburbs with direct rail access. The suburb has a functioning town centre, hospital, and community infrastructure. The Armadale train line connects to Perth CBD in around 50 minutes. Housing stock is a mix of older established homes and newer developments. Block sizes are generous and well-sized properties are available below $580,000.
Typical price range: $480,000–$580,000 Distance from CBD: ~35 km Best for: First-home buyers seeking the lowest possible entry price with rail access
Gosnells — Established suburb under $650k on the Armadale line
Gosnells is 20 kilometres southeast and more established than Armadale. It has a better-developed local infrastructure — parks, schools, the Canning River recreation corridor — and sits in a stronger price band while still remaining comfortably under $700,000. Properties in good streets, well-maintained and on good blocks, come in under $640,000. The train journey to the CBD takes around 30 to 35 minutes.
Typical price range: $520,000–$640,000 Distance from CBD: ~20 km Best for: Buyers who want more established suburban infrastructure at a slightly higher price than Armadale
Midland — Close to the city, under $650k, with urban renewal upside
Midland is only 16 kilometres from the CBD — making it one of the closest genuine under-$700K suburbs remaining in Perth. The suburb has undergone significant urban renewal, with the Midland Health Campus and surrounding commercial precinct generating employment and activity. The Midland train line connects to the city in around 30 minutes. For buyers who want affordable proximity with growth potential, Midland is a strong option.
Typical price range: $510,000–$640,000 Distance from CBD: ~16 km Best for: Buyers who prioritise proximity to the CBD and want urban renewal upside alongside affordable entry
Balga and Girrawheen — North Perth under $600k, close to the city
Balga and Girrawheen are 11 to 15 kilometres north of the CBD — a genuinely short distance for the price. Both are predominantly post-war brick suburbs with large blocks. The housing stock is older but structurally sound, and many properties offer renovation potential on sites where a second dwelling or subdivision might be possible in the future. Bus access to Warwick Station connects to the Joondalup line.
Typical price range: $490,000–$590,000 Distance from CBD: ~11–15 km Best for: Buyers who want maximum proximity to the CBD at a very low price point
Rockingham — Coastal lifestyle under $680k, 45km south
Rockingham sits on the coast 47 kilometres south of the CBD and offers beach lifestyle at a price point that inner suburbs can't match. You can buy a well-maintained three-bedroom home with a backyard under $660,000, within walking or cycling distance of the beach. The Mandurah train line connects to Perth CBD in around 55 minutes. The suburb is self-contained — hospital, shopping, recreational foreshore — and suits buyers who don't commute to the CBD daily.
Typical price range: $560,000–$680,000 Distance from CBD: ~47 km Best for: Buyers who prioritise coastal lifestyle and don't need daily CBD access
Mandurah — Best lifestyle per dollar, 75km south
Mandurah is technically outside the Perth metro but its train connection — around 75 minutes to the CBD — makes it viable for buyers who work flexibly or are based in the southern suburbs. You can buy a well-presented house on a large block, often with canal frontage or close beach proximity, for under $600,000. Mandurah is fully self-contained and doesn't feel like a satellite suburb.
Typical price range: $480,000–$600,000 Distance from CBD: ~75 km Best for: Semi-retired buyers, those who work flexibly, or buyers who want the maximum lifestyle quality per dollar spent
Hamilton Hill and Spearwood — Southern suburbs under $700k, near Fremantle
Hamilton Hill and Spearwood sit south of Fremantle, 12 to 15 kilometres from the Fremantle CBD. They offer suburban houses under $700,000 at a meaningfully shorter commute distance than the outer southern and eastern suburbs. Both suburbs are quiet and family-oriented. Access to Fremantle's lifestyle — beaches, cafés, markets — is practical by car or bus.
Typical price range: $600,000–$700,000 Distance from Fremantle: ~5–10 km Best for: Buyers who want Fremantle corridor access at a lower price than East Fremantle or South Fremantle
Cloverdale and Cannington — Eastern suburbs under $700k, mid-ring
Cloverdale and Cannington are 10 to 14 kilometres east of the CBD and represent the mid-ring affordable options in Perth's eastern corridor. Both have good local amenities — Carousel Shopping Centre anchors Cannington, while Cloverdale has a neighbourhood shopping strip. The Kenwick/Thornlie bus connections are reasonable, though train access requires a short drive to Cannington Station. Prices sit near the $700,000 ceiling but deals remain under it on less-renovated properties.
Typical price range: $600,000–$700,000 Distance from CBD: ~10–14 km Best for: Buyers who want eastern mid-ring positioning at a more accessible price than Bayswater or Belmont
What to Expect at Under $700k in Perth
At this price point, you're typically looking at homes built between 1960 and 1990. Brick-and-tile construction is standard throughout Perth, which is a genuine plus — these homes are solid, low-maintenance and durable in Perth's climate. You should expect:
- Block sizes: 500 to 800 square metres is common in the outer suburbs
- Bedrooms: Three to four bedrooms is standard at this price
- Condition: Ranging from well-maintained to needing cosmetic or partial renovation
- Features: Many include a garage or carport, established gardens, and outdoor entertaining areas
The renovation opportunity in Perth's under-$700K suburbs is real. Many homes were built at a time when the city was growing rapidly and have had limited investment since. A targeted kitchen and bathroom renovation can add meaningful value.
A Realistic Example
Amy and Dave are teachers looking to buy their first home. Their budget is $640,000 and they work at a school in the eastern suburbs. Cannington is a practical choice — 12 kilometres from the CBD, 15 minutes from their school, and with three-bedroom brick homes on 550 square metres available around $620,000. They buy a 1975 home in good structural condition, plan a kitchen renovation in year two, and are well within budget.
Checklist: Buying a Perth Property Under $700k
- Get a full building and pest inspection — homes in this price range are often 30 to 60 years old and need careful assessment
- Check the Department of Health's asbestos register for any properties built before 1990 — a significant portion of Perth housing stock contains asbestos materials
- Research flood mapping for properties near the Swan, Canning or Avon rivers
- Verify the property's zoning with the local council — some R-coded lots allow subdivision or second dwellings
- Compare rental yields if buying as an investment — the outer ring typically offers 4 to 5.5 percent gross yield
- Research any upcoming infrastructure projects near the suburb — new train stations or upgrades can meaningfully change a suburb's price trajectory
- Understand the impact of distance on your total commute, not just drive time to the CBD
Key Takeaways
- Armadale and Balga/Girrawheen offer the lowest prices in metro Perth — Armadale via rail, Balga/Girrawheen via proximity to the CBD
- Midland is the best proximity-to-price ratio available under $650,000, with strong urban renewal upside
- Rockingham offers the best coastal lifestyle per dollar in the under-$700K range
- Hamilton Hill and Spearwood give Fremantle corridor access at sub-$700K prices
- Perth's under-$700K market is dominated by brick homes on large blocks — a durable, renovatable housing stock
FAQ
Can you still buy a house in Perth for under $700,000 in 2026? Yes — but your options are now in the outer ring or specific mid-ring pockets that haven't fully repriced. Armadale, Gosnells, Midland, Balga, Girrawheen and Rockingham all offer genuine freestanding houses under $700,000. The days of under-$700K in suburbs like Scarborough or Bayswater are gone.
What are Perth suburbs under $700k good for investment? Rental yields in Perth's affordable suburbs are strong — typically 4 to 5.5 percent gross in the outer ring. Midland, Cannington and Rockingham have shown solid rental demand from healthcare, trade and logistics workers. The best investment prospects combine affordability with proximity to employment and infrastructure growth.
Is it better to buy established or new in Perth under $700k? Established homes on larger blocks typically offer better long-term capital growth than new builds on smaller land releases. New builds can underperform short-term due to supply in greenfield areas. For buyers focused on value growth, an older brick home in an established suburb with renovation potential often outperforms land-and-house packages at the same price point.
How do I find out if a Perth property has asbestos? The WA Department of Health has an asbestos advisory service, and a building inspector will flag visible asbestos products during inspection. Homes built before 1990 commonly contain asbestos cement sheeting in eaves, wet areas and garages. It's not always a deal-breaker — bound asbestos in good condition poses minimal risk — but it requires disclosure and appropriate management.
Run a free property analysis on Marketli to compare recent sales, median prices and suburb insights across Perth's under-$700,000 market.
