Sydney’s most affordable rental markets within 35km of the city

Rents may be soaring across most of Sydney but new data shows there are a number of places within an easy commute to the city where you can find a home for less than $400 a week.

Kate McIntyreReal estate reporter

2 min read

August 9, 2022 - 5:00AM

New research from rental review site RentRabbit.com.au has revealed the top 20 tenant-friendly rental markets within an easy commute to the Sydney CBD.

Each of the unit markets listed in RentRabbit’s quarterly Tenant Opportunity Report is within 35km of the city and has a median rent of $410 or less a week, with many seeing a rent reduction from last year’s figures.

The suburbs listed also have a middle socio-economic ranking or higher, which adds to their desirability.

There are a number of affordable unit markets within 35km of the city.

It comes as rents soar across much of Sydney with economists forecasting an extra 7-10 per cent growth by next winter.

MORE: Suburbs due to get biggest rent rises

‘Gone in days’: why rent crisis is getting worse

Roselands ranked the most tenant-friendly market in the report, with the median unit rent slipping to $340 a week from $355 a week in July last year.

At 13km from the city, Roselands is close to Wiley Park and Beverly Hills train stations while having easy access to main arterial roads.

7/270 King Georges Rd, Roselands is listed for rent at $370 a week.

Tempe came second, with median unit rents there down $20 a week from last year’s figures, to a new median of $340. The suburb is just 8km from the CBD and has a high socio-economic ranking.

Harris Park in western Sydney had a median unit rent of $350 a week, while the inner west suburb of Croydon Park was slightly more at $360.

7/32 Alice St, Harris Park is listed for rent at $395 a week.

Rosehill and West Ryde both had a median weekly unit rent of $370.

RentRabbit.com.au co-founder Ben Pretty said while landlords had the upper hand in most parts of Sydney, the ranking showed it was possible to find quality rental accommodation at a reasonable price.

6/57 Harris St, Harris Park is listed for rent at $400 a week.

“Over the past year, Sydney’s rental market has really tightened, which has translated to an

increase in market power for landlords,” he said.

“That’s led to a sharp increase in rents in many suburbs and, sadly, a reduction in accommodation standards, because landlords don’t have to try as hard to attract and retain tenants.”

He said it had become more difficult for lower-income families to find appropriate and affordable accommodation close to the CBD.

RentRabbit.com.au co-founder Ben Pretty.

“Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Housing Industry Association suggest

there are a lot of new residential properties in the pipeline,” he said.

“Those new builds can’t occur quickly enough, because the only way to reduce the unhealthy levels of demand we’re seeing in the rental market right now is to increase the supply of rental properties.”