property
House-Unit Price Divergence Widens in Perth CBD Market
Detached homes posted stronger gains than apartments through the first half of 2026, altering buyer calculations in the central precinct.
How we reported this
Median house prices in the Perth CBD climbed 9.4 per cent in the year to June 2026, hitting $1.15 million, while unit values rose only 2.1 per cent to $485,000.
The split emerges as global tensions, including US-Iran strikes and European wildfires, push local investors toward assets they view as more resilient. Steady interest rates have kept borrowing costs predictable, yet demand has concentrated on properties with land rather than strata titles that carry ongoing levies.
Street-level shifts
Along St Georges Terrace, three detached homes sold above $1.4 million in the June quarter, each with small rear courtyards that appealed to families relocating from outer suburbs. In contrast, units in the Murray Street East precinct recorded four auctions that passed in during the same period, with two later selling after price cuts of $35,000 and $48,000. The City of Perth’s laneway activation program, which added lighting and seating on smaller cross streets, has lifted foot traffic near unit blocks but has not yet translated into higher strata prices.
Further north on William Street, near the Perth Cultural Centre, a 1980s walk-up unit building saw its average sale price stall at $462,000, unchanged from December 2025. Developers linked to the Elizabeth Quay precinct have delayed two apartment projects, citing slower off-the-plan interest compared with townhouse sites still available on adjacent blocks.
Data and buyer response
CoreLogic’s June 2026 release showed houses in the 6000 postcode posting a 4.8 per cent lift in the March-to-June quarter alone, while units recorded a 0.3 per cent dip. Clearance rates for houses sat at 72 per cent across the CBD compared with 51 per cent for units. Days on market averaged 22 for houses versus 47 for apartments.
Buyers weighing the two segments should inspect recent strata records for any upcoming special levies before committing to units, and compare land sizes on house listings along Terrace Road or Riverside Drive. Those timelines matter ahead of the next interest-rate decision scheduled for late July.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.