Australian property market: impossible task for single buyers

Single buyers are being priced out of Australia’s property market, with the average individual Australian only able to afford a house in a shocking 16 per cent of suburbs.

While the financial advantages of being in a relationship is well-documented, being single now has a fresh blow as new research reveals it has become almost impossible to buy property by yourself across Australia.

Comparison site Finder’s First Home Buyer Report 2025 revealed that in 2017, an average Aussie could afford a mortgage for a median priced house in over half the country’s suburbs.

Now, that amount has fallen to only 16 per cent of suburbs across the nation.

Even the unit market didn’t offer much more hope for single buyers, who could now only afford to purchase in less than a third – 28 per cent – of Australian suburbs.

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Couples had the upper hand when purchasing in Australia’s property market. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

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This had fallen from two-thirds (66 per cent) in 2017.

In NSW, SA and WA, the number of suburbs where the average single could afford mortgage repayments has fallen by around three-quarters.

It was the worst in NSW, where single Aussies could afford the average house in 40 per cent of suburbs in 2017, that has fallen to just 11 per cent in 2025. South Australia had experienced a dramatic drop from 2017 where singles were able to afford the average house in 85 per cent of suburbs, dropping down to only 19 per cent in 2025.

Housing affordability pressures have triggered a noticeable drop in the amount of single-buyers entering the market.

Finder.com.au analysis discovers the tiny percentage single Australian’s can now afford compared to 2017.

In 2021, 45 per cent of first home buyers were individuals, that’s now fallen to 39 per cent in 2025.

Finder’s personal finance expert Sarah Megginson said that buying a home is harder than it’s ever been.

“Especially if you’re trying to do it on your own without a partner or family member,” she added.

“First home buyers are not expecting to step into a mansion for their first property, but even those with realistic expectations are shocked that even entry-level homes carry eye-watering price tags.

Personal finance expert at Finder, Sarah Megginson. Picture: Michelle Swan.

“Saving a deposit is now a multi-year grind and many first-time buyers rely heavily on the ‘bank of mum and dad’ to bridge the gap between what they have and what they need.

With up to three interest rate cuts predicted before Christmas, she said that will help current mortgage-holders ease some pressure, but could make things worse for those trying to enter the market.

“But demand – especially in affordable markets – is expected to surge, which could potentially push entry-level prices even higher and squeeze first home buyers further,” Ms Megginson said.

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