Leaving the big smoke: More than 1 in 8 Aussies ditch city living to cut costs
With the cost of living in capital cities soaring to new highs, a growing number of residents are rethinking where they live, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,013 respondents found 14% of Australians have moved from a capital city to another area in the last 3 years to save money on costs.
The research found 6% moved to a regional town, 5% moved to a cheaper capital city, and 2% moved to a cheaper city overseas.
Almost 1 in 10 (7%) – an estimated 1.5 million people – plan to leave a capital city in the next 3 years.
Those in NSW (17%) were more likely to admit they'd moved away from a capital city, compared to 14% in QLD, and 11% in VIC.
Rebecca Pike, money expert at Finder, said a growing number of Aussies are trading their lives in the city to manage their budget.
"Aussies are sick of just scraping by and hoping that a move will free up some cash.
"From rent and house prices to utilities and groceries, city life doesn't come cheap.
"There are plenty of budget suburbs delivering better value – households might just have to expand their search further out."
Of those who have moved away from a capital city, or are planning to, 2 in 5 (37%) say the primary reason is to save money on living costs.
The data shows 1 in 4 (25%) will move from a capital city to another area to be able to afford a home, while 14% will use the extra money to save on their mortgage or rent payments.
Pike said one of the main advantages of living in a regional area is cheaper housing costs.
"If you can continue earning what you were in a capital city you will be hundreds of dollars better off every month.
"Banking that difference instead of just breaking even can lead to much greater wealth long-term."
Pike said if you're considering moving away to save on costs, you should also consider the lifestyle change, particularly if you're moving away from loved ones.
"It might not be worth moving away to save money if your quality of life diminishes or if you're then going to spend more on car costs driving to see friends or family that still live in the city."
Have you moved from a capital city to another area in the last 3 years to save money on costs (e.g. mortgage/rent, other living costs)?
| Yes, I moved to a regional/rural town | 6% |
| Yes, I moved to a cheaper capital city | 5% |
| Yes, I moved to a cheaper city overseas | 2% |
| No, but I plan to do this in the next 3 years | 7% |
| I don't live in a capital city | 23% |
| No, I have not done, and do not plan on doing any of the above | 56% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,013 respondents, March 2025 |  |
What is the primary reason you moved or are planning to move from a capital city?
| To save on living costs | 37% |
| To be able to afford a home | 25% |
| To save on mortgage/rent costs | 14% |
| To be closer to family | 14% |
| To experience a different culture or lifestyle | 7% |
| To earn more money / get a promotion / get ahead in my career | 3% |
| Source: Finder survey of 134 respondents who moved or are planning to move from a capital city, March 2025 | |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,013 respondents from March 2025.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
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