Cheapest suburbs to rent in Brisbane
Looking for affordable options to rent in Brisbane? According to the latest SQM Research data, the average weekly rent for a unit in Brisbane is $614 and $774 for houses. Slightly higher than Melbourne, but still well below Sydney, where tenants now pay around $714 for units and $1,085 for houses.
Vacancy rates tell a similar story. Brisbane’s sits at just 0.9%, tighter than both Sydney (1.3%) and Melbourne (1.5%). This means rental properties here are in high demand, which makes competition stronger. Despite this, there are still many affordable options available close to Brisbane CBD, and renters who act quickly can secure a good rent.
Source: PRD-Smart-Moves
For anyone searching for Brisbane cheap suburbs to rent, there are many areas that combine reasonable rent with good access to transport, shops, and local services. If you look beyond the inner hotspots like West End, Newstead, or Yeronga, you’ll find some lovely little rentals in some great spots.
Here is a list of the top Brisbane suburbs that offer great deals on rentals close to the city.
Where are the cheapest suburbs to rent in Brisbane?
“Cheap” and “close” can mean different things depending on your personal preferences, income, and needs. For this list, we’re looking at suburbs between 2km and 30km from the CBD. Many areas 20–30 km out still have quick train or bus connections that get you into the city in less than 30 minutes, so we’ll consider them close enough.
In terms of cost, Brisbane is still a landlord’s market at the time of updating this article for 2025. So, if you compare Brisbane now to how it was pre-COVID, things may not look cheap. This is why we’ve compared today’s prices against nearby areas so that you can easily see where your rental dollar goes further. That gives you a clear look at the most affordable Brisbane suburbs in 2025 and what kind of lifestyle they can provide. This is the best thing you can get with the hard-earned cash you have.
If you’re ready to secure a great rental, call 07 3899 3566.
Top Brisbane Cheap Suburbs in 2025
- Nathan
- Moorooka
- Salisbury
- Logan Central
- Redbank
- Rocklea
- Stafford
- Slacks Creek
- Clayfield
- Annerley
- Coopers Plains
- Newmarket
- Woodridge
Nathan
Nathan, located on Brisbane’s southside, is home to Griffith University’s Nathan campus and a mix of older and newer living spaces. Streets are lined with trees, and there are plenty of local parks, like the sprawling Nathan Campus Parkland and the Nathan Campus Sporting Fields.
Public transport is convenient; there’s the Nathan train station and regular bus services all around the suburb that make commuting to Brisbane CBD easy. Units here have become slightly cheaper over the past year, while house rents have gone up 11% in the same period. Demand has decreased, so there are more choices for renters. You can find two-bedroom units for $475 per week.
- Median rent price for units: $448 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $735 per week
Source: realsestaate.com.au
Moorooka
Moorooka sits only 8 km from the CBD and is one of the most affordable Brisbane suburbs with a great train connection. The area has a wide variety of properties, from small, cheap apartments to larger and more luxurious family homes.
Moorooka has many convenient shops, tons of parks, and the big shopping centre, the Westfield Garden City, is only a short drive away.
In terms of costs, you’ll be able to find two-bedroom apartments for around $520 a week, and two-bedroom houses for a similar price, around $535 per week. The median rent price for townhouses is $655 per week. Of course, these are averages, and prices will vary depending on the street. Demand for houses in Moorooka has increased in the last 12 months, so affordable house rentals can be competitive.
- Median rent price for units: $521 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $645 per week
Salisbury
Salisbury, also on the southside, is popular for its diverse community and affordable housing options, which makes it particularly attractive for young families. Salisbury has a mix of residential and light industrial areas and lots of green space, like the Toohey Forest with its peaceful walking trails.
The suburb has been changing, with new craft breweries, trendy hotels, and artisanal restaurants opening. Public transport is reliable thanks to Salisbury train station. House prices here are still cheaper than many neighbouring suburbs, while demand for units has significantly increased in the past year. You can expect to find both three-bedroom units and three-bedroom houses for the same price—around $600 per week.
- Median rent price for units: $575 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $610 per week
Source: Brisbanekids
Logan Central
About 30 km out from the CBD, we’ve got Logan Central. This suburb has often been overlooked and has had a poor reputation in the past. However, it has been steadily gentrifying since then. Logan Central’s position is unique, as it sits right on a major train line, surrounded by bushland, and even has its own art gallery.
Units in Logan Central remain some of the cheapest in the region, with three-bedroom apartments starting at under $428 per week. Houses average around $528. Demand for rentals has increased a bit in the past 12 months, but it’s still one of the better-value suburbs on this list, especially for families.
- Median rent price for units: $390 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $528 per week
Redbank
Redbank rests along the banks of the Brisbane River, 21 km west of the CBD. It has strong transport links with major rail lines, buses, and highways, and you’re close to shopping centres in Ipswich if you head west, or alternatively Mount Ommaney only a short drive to the north-east.
You’ll find a good variety of housing options available in Redbank. In terms of costs, you can find three-bedroom houses for about $450 per week and three-bedroom units for around $480 according to Realestate.com.au (if you are curious about how much it costs to list your property on Realestate.com.au, have a look at our blog). Rental prices in Redbank have remained steady in the past year, and unit demand has dropped by 41% in the same period. This means renters have more negotiating power here compared to previous years.
- Median rent price for units: $450 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $550 per week
Rocklea
Rocklea is a peaceful suburb with a strong community feel. It’s known for the popular Rocklea Markets, which make grocery shopping affordable, and has several good parks and recreation facilities, such as Rocklea Riverside Park.
The suburb is only a short 10-15 minute train ride to the city. The median price for units here is $400 per week, while renting a three-bedroom house can cost around $550. Still, demand for houses has gone down by 39% in the last year, so there are usually more listings to choose from.
- Median rent price for units: $400 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $535 per week
Stafford
Stafford is located halfway between Queen Street Mall and Westfield Chermside, which makes it a well-placed suburb for procuring goods. It also has its own local shopping centre for your day-to-day needs.
Although investment in this area is on the rise, Stafford is still one of the most affordable Brisbane suburbs to rent in. Three-bedroom houses average around $635 per week, though units can be more expensive and start at around $700 per week. The median rent price for townhouses in Stafford is $695. Overall, this suburb can be pricier than some southside options but still cheaper than other inner-north neighbours like Windsor.
- Median rent price for units: $558 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $648 per week
Slacks Creek
Slacks Creek, located about 22 km south of the CBD, comes with a lot of great amenities around it. For example, it has a big shopping centre down the road, the Logan Hyperdome, and Ikea a few minutes away to the north. It’s also reasonably connected by bus, with around a 30-minute commute into the city. You can expect to drive for just 20 minutes on the M3, without traffic, to get from Slacks Creek to the city centre.
Rentals here include two-bedroom units for around $400 per week, and townhouses average about $550. Demand for houses has grown in the past 12 months, while unit demand has decreased. Overall, Slacks Creek is one of the more affordable Brisbane suburbs for families.
- Median rent price for units: $420 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $573 per week
Clayfield
Clayfield, located in Brisbane’s inner north, is an extremely well-connected suburb filled with surprisingly affordable rentals. It’s next to the Nundah dining scene and close to Airport DFO to do some shopping. Since it’s next to the airport, it’s easily accessible thanks to the RPBR rail route. You can expect to be making it to the CBD in under 20 minutes with this rail route.
Despite being close to the city and the great level of amenities, rentals here are still reasonable compared to nearby inner suburbs. You’ll find three-bedroom apartments for $700 per week and three-bedroom houses for $790, many for even less. Townhouses can be found for around $850.
- Median rent price for units: $543 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $821 per week
Annerley
Living in Annerley comes with a sweet spot between suburban tranquility and city convenience. It is just 4 km away from the Brisbane CBD and has well-connected bus and train links, particularly along Annerley Road, for easy commuting. This makes Annerley one of the best-located affordable Brisbane suburbs on this list.
Ipswich Road is the suburb’s hub, lined with small businesses, second-hand stores, antiques centres, and cafes. Rentals here range from smaller two-bedroom houses around $530 to more expensive townhouses at $650. Units are cheaper on average, as you can find two-bedroom apartments starting at around $520, and sometimes even less.
- Median rent price for units: $536 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $703 per week
Source: commons.wikimedia
Coopers Plains
On the south side of Brisbane, Coopers Plains has a mix of houses and townhouses at lower prices than nearby suburbs. The area sits next to the Archerfield Airport, and has good train connections and the big Beryl Roberts Park, which provides open space, playgrounds, and sports facilities.
Two-bedroom houses average around $500 per week, while townhouses sit closer to $600. According to Relestate.com.au, the median rent price for both units and houses has decreased slightly over the past year, while rental demand has grown.
- Median rent price for units: $590 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $560 per week
Newmarket
Newmarket is located just 5 km north of Brisbane CBD and has a mix of older Queenslanders and modern apartments. The neighborhood is busy with coffee shops and movie theaters.
That said, Newmarket is one of the more expensive suburbs on this list. Units average $550, while houses sit above $750. The median rent price for three-bedroom units is around $745 per week, and townhouses sit above $800 per week. Still, demand for houses has slowed by 32% recently, so renters may have a better chance of securing a house in Newmarket now.
- Median rent price for units: $550 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $763 per week
Woodridge
Woodridge, located about 25 km south of Brisbane, is one of the most affordable suburbs in the region. It borders Karawatha Forest, a large natural reserve with walking trails, picnic spots, and wildlife. The suburb also has a local Woodridge FoodWorks and a few small shopping strips for everyday needs.
Three-bedroom units go for under $475 per week, while houses average $520. Townhouses sit around $490 per week. Demand has increased slightly over the past year, but there are usually enough options for renters to choose from in Woodridge.
- Median rent price for units: $395 per week
- Median rent price for houses: $520 per week
Secure your rental in the best Brisbane cheap suburbs
The Brisbane rental market can be competitive, but there are still plenty of Brisbane cheap suburbs where renters can find options close to the city without having to face Sydney-level prices. Many types of apartments and houses are available in the above-mentioned suburbs, which are conveniently close to public transportation, shops, parks, and other services.
☎️ Give us a call and see what you can find, or contact LINK Living today and learn about available rentals in the best Brisbane cheap suburbs!
