Almost half of all city-dwelling Gen Z residents are considering a move to regional Australia, according to a survey by the Regional Australia Institute. A salary boost was the main motivation, with cheaper cost of living, more affordable housing, and proximity to nature also cited as key factors.
Of the 49 percent of Gen Z metropolitan residents likely to move, 23 percent said they would be ready within the next year or two, while 37 percent planned to move within three to five years. This equates to a potential urban exodus of about 5.3 million people.
Zoe Gleeson, 23, moved from Sydney to Mudgee, NSW, in late 2024 with her partner. She cited the ability to own a home with a backyard and pay increases as key reasons. “We knew we couldn’t have the lifestyle we wanted in Sydney,” she said. The couple now enjoy a shorter commute and a lifestyle shift involving local markets and wineries.
The report found that all 49 percent of Gen Z city-dwellers likely to move cited financial incentives, such as recruitment bonuses or relocation payments, as a factor. However, healthcare access remains a concern, shared by over half of all respondents, including 71 percent of Baby Boomers and 63 percent of Gen X.
Mikaela Carroll, 28, moved from Brisbane to Bunbury during the pandemic and later to Launceston. She said climate change also influenced her decision, noting that “natural disasters are just getting more and more volatile.” Across demographics, Sydneysiders were the most keen to move (41 percent), followed by Melburnians (38 percent).
