Prospective home buyers in Perth are facing a daunting new milestone, with the average price of a residential land block reaching an all-time high. According to the latest data from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA), the median lot price in the city has climbed to $377,535.
Affordable Havens in the South: Serpentine Jarrahdale Leads the Way
Despite the city-wide record, the UDIA WA's September quarter report highlights specific regions where more accessible entry points into the market can still be found. The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale stands out, offering the most affordable land in Greater Perth with an average price of $295,419.
This figure, while representing a 3.2 per cent increase from the previous quarter, continues to provide significant value. Buyers in this shire also get slightly more space, with the average lot size of 393 square metres exceeding the Perth-wide average of 389sqm.
Key suburbs within this growth corridor, such as Byford, Mundijong, and Whitby, are undergoing rapid transformation. Major state infrastructure investments are fuelling this development, most notably the newly opened Byford train station. This vital link now connects Byford to the Perth CBD in approximately 46 minutes, supporting forecasts that the suburb's population will swell beyond 15,000 residents by 2036.
The shire's appeal is further bolstered by its proximity to the expanding employment hubs within the City of Armadale, including the Forrestdale Business Park and surrounding industrial areas.
Northern Growth Corridor: Swan Region Holds Steady
In Perth's northern growth corridor, the City of Swan presents another relative value proposition. The average land price here was recorded at $376,503 for the September quarter, sitting just below the metropolitan average.
This region, encompassing fast-developing areas like Aveley, Bullsbrook, Ellenbrook, and Brabham, also offers slightly larger lot sizes, averaging 398sqm. Major public transport upgrades are reshaping accessibility in the north, following the opening of the Ellenbrook rail extension in late 2024.
That project delivered five new stations at Bayswater, Morley, Noranda, Ballajura, Whiteman Park, and Ellenbrook. Future development is anticipated around recently announced station precincts in Morley and Ballajura, which are expected to attract increased medium and high-density housing.
The Path Forward: Addressing Supply and Affordability
The record land price is driven by a combination of strong sales volumes and a significant shortage of available lots, a situation that continues to erode housing affordability across Western Australia. UDIA WA President Grant Shepherd emphasised the institute's ongoing commitment to working with state and local governments to find practical solutions.
The core challenge remains delivering more housing supply at a faster rate to meet the demands of the state's growing population. While the headline figure is stark, the detailed market analysis confirms that diligent buyers with knowledge of specific growth corridors can still identify more affordable opportunities within the broader Perth landscape.
