What can you buy for the median house price in each Australian capital city?

THE median house price in Australia doesn’t look so scary if you’re in Tassie. But what if you’re in Sydney? Just what does $580,000 buy in each capital?

EVERY day, we hear about how housing affordability in Australia is getting more and more out of reach.

While the median house price of $580,000 in the eight capital cities in the 12 months to April, according to RP Data, seems reasonable to some and outlandish to others, it’s clear what bang you get for your buck varies wildly depending on where you live.

So how close can you get to the city centre in each capital for the median price? And what kind of house can you get for it?

BRISBANE

Greenslopes

Greenslopes by name, green slopes by nature. Nestled only six kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, this leafy suburb features a shopping centre and a private hospital.

This two-bedroom Queenslander on 405 square metre block is on the market for offers over $575,000 and is being described by the estate agent as “character-filled”.

City median — $465,000.

SYDNEY

This house in Granville is on sale for $589,000. Picture: realestate.com.au

Granville

Granville in Sydney’s west is 22 kilometres and is just over half an hour to the city on the express train.

Granville is where you can pick up this three-bedroom, two-bathroom house on a massive 765 square metre block for $589,000, just a tad over the national median. It’s also got parking and a sunroom.

City median — $690,000.

MELBOURNE

This Essendon house is on the market for $570,000 — $620,000. Pic: realestate.com.au

Essendon

Most famous for its football club, Essendon is 10 kilometres from the city in the western suburbs and has many transport links including trams and trains to the city. There are also several schools in the area.

In Essendon, at the lower end, you can buy this three bedroom cottage a short walk to Bradshaw Park for between $570,000 to $620,000. But it does need quite a bit of renovating as its interiors are outdated. Or you could tear it down and rebuild.

City median: $525,000

PERTH

This Morley house is on the market for $549,000.

Morley

Morley is situated 10 kilometres from the CBD and has the city’s second largest shopping centre with Centro Galleria. It also has a recreation centre with facilities for sports including indoor soccer and netball.

In Morley, this three-bedder is about to come on the market, priced from $549,000. It features two bathrooms and a master ensuite.

City median — $540,000

ADELAIDE

This Prospect sandstone property is on the market for $550,000. Pic: realestate.com.au

Prospect

Prospect is only 5 kilometres from the CBD and features many Victorian properties. There’s an annual fashion, food and wine affair and has several parks in the suburb.

In Prospect, you can snap up this 1916 sandstone villa with three bedrooms and two parking spots for $550,000. It’s livable but could do with a bit of updating.

City median — $400,000

HOBART

This Sandy Bay house is on the market for $580,000. Pic: realestate.com.au

Sandy Bay

Sandy Bay is considered a prestigious area in Hobart and is close to the water and Battery Point. Within Sandy Bay is the Hobart campus of the University of Tasmania and several private schools. It’s also only about two kilometres from the city.

In Sandy Bay is a three bedroom cottage from 1890 that is bang on the national median house price at $580,000. It’s fully renovated and features swanky appliances and a modern rear extension.

City median — $347,000

CANBERRA

This Canberra house is on the market for $549,000. Pic: realestate.com.au.

Narrabundah

Narrabundah is a small garden suburb south of Lake Burley Griffin. It’s only eight kilometres from Civic but five kilometres from the Parliament. It’s home to two primary schools and Narrabundah College.

For $549,000, you can buy this three-bedroom house with an open plan living area and remodelled kitchen.

City median — $555,000

DARWIN

This house in The Narrows is on the market for $575,000. Pic: realestate.com.au

The Narrows is a small suburb with just over 600 residents about a five-minute drive from the city.

This three bedroom house has a renovated kitchen, a study and pool complete with a tropical-style pergola. It’s going for $575,000

City median — $564,000