Brisbane asking rents reach $756 a week, SQM data shows
Advertised rents in Brisbane averaged $756.33 a week in the week to 4 November 2026, according to SQM Research's weekly rents index. That is 7.4% more than a year earlier, even though the figure dipped by 31 cents on the week before.
What the latest weekly numbers show
SQM Research tracks the rents being asked in online listings across Brisbane each week. Its latest reading puts the typical asking rent for a house at $840.54 a week, down $1.54 on the previous week. Units were asking $653.78, up $1.22. Put together, the combined figure was close to flat for the week, but still well above where it sat this time last year.
Source: SQM Research weekly rents index, Brisbane, week ending 4 November 2026. Rounded to the nearest dollar.
| All houses | 841 |
| All homes | 756 |
| All units | 654 |
Key numbers
The mid-sized homes that many share households rent have risen a little more slowly. SQM puts three-bedroom houses at $734.92 a week, up 5.2% over the year, and two-bedroom units at $641.39, up 5.9%. Those are still solid rises, but they sit below the growth in Brisbane's dearer houses.
Why it's happening
Brisbane still has very few empty rentals. Domain's September quarter report put the city's vacancy rate at just 0.7%, unchanged on a year earlier, with listings down 3.0% over the year. Domain also recorded record median asking rents of $700 a week for houses and $660 for units, although neither moved over the quarter. Cotality, which measures rents differently, says Brisbane rents rose 1.3% in the September quarter.
Each source counts rents in its own way, so the dollar figures do not match exactly. SQM's weekly index gives an early read, while Domain and Cotality report quarterly. Our explainer on why vacancy numbers differ covers how to read them side by side. What they agree on is the direction: Brisbane rents are higher than a year ago, but the pace has cooled from the sharp rises of earlier years.
Practical tips for Brisbane renters and listers
- Compare like with like. Check rooms or homes with the same number of bedrooms and a similar distance from transport before deciding what is fair.
- Count the full weekly cost. Add power, internet and transport to the rent, and ask exactly which bills are included.
- Watch for listings that sit. A room advertised for a few weeks may have some room to negotiate on price or start date.
- Listers: price against current listings near you, not last year's, and spell out bills, parking and furniture in the ad.
- Know the bond rules. Our guide to renting out a room in Queensland covers bonds and rent increases.
What it means for you
Renters: with house rents averaging more than $840 a week, a room in a shared home remains one of the most practical ways to live in Brisbane on a single income. The flat weekly reading suggests prices are not racing ahead right now, which gives you time to compare a few options. Room listers: demand is steady while vacancies stay this low, but renters are watching every dollar. A fair price, clear photos and quick replies to messages will matter more than squeezing out the last few dollars a week.
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- SQM Research: Weekly rents, Brisbane (week ending 4 Nov 2026)
- Domain Rent Report, September 2026 quarter
- Cotality: Rental growth loses momentum as vacancy rates rise (9 Oct 2026)
Figures are from the sources above at the time of writing. This article is general information, not financial or legal advice.