Perth families have been hit with a severe financial blow, forced to pay an average of $2200 more for rent in 2025 compared to the previous year. The relentless pressure on the city's property market has translated directly into deeper household budget pain, with new research quantifying the steep climb in weekly housing costs.
Breaking Down the Rent Rise: Houses vs Units
Analysis of weekly asking prices by national housing advocacy group Everybody's Home, using SQM Research data, paints a stark picture. On average, Perth renters paid $2235 extra over the year, equating to a rise of $43 per week.
The burden was not evenly shared. Those renting houses faced the sharpest increase, forking out an additional more than $50 per week. Over the course of 2025, this added up to a staggering $2639 in extra rent for the year. Renters in units, while slightly better off, still contended with a significant hike of $32 per week, which accumulated to an extra $1673 annually.
In a national comparison, Perth experienced the third largest yearly rent increase across Australia's major cities, trailing only behind Sydney ($2800) and Brisbane ($2449).
A System Pushing Families to the Brink
Everybody's Home spokesperson Maiy Azize said the figures expose a housing system in crisis, placing unbearable strain on Western Australian families. "Right now, Western Australia has a severe social housing shortfall of 53,000 homes — these are the low-cost rentals that people can actually afford," Ms Azize stated.
She criticised the state's lack of progress on rental protections, noting WA remains among the worst in the country, with key reforms like removing no-grounds evictions still not addressed. "Now renters find themselves thousands of dollars worse off as rents continue to soar through no fault of their own — that’s thousands that could have gone towards savings, education or healthcare," she said.
Impossible Choices: Skipping Meals to Pay Rent
The financial strain is forcing Perth residents to make severe sacrifices, particularly during the Christmas period. A recent Everybody's Home survey found families are resorting to drastic measures to manage the cost of living.
The survey revealed that in Western Australia:
- 52% of respondents limited their use of cooling and heating as their primary cost-saving method.
- A alarming 41% admitted to skipping meals, a rate far exceeding the national average of 28%.
- Many also reported falling behind on bills, missing medical appointments, and reducing car use due to financial pressure.
Ms Azize highlighted the cruel timing of these rent increases. "Renters across Perth are being hit hard, paying an extra $51 in rent for a house now compared to last year. This is money that could have been used for presents, holiday celebrations or putting food on the table," she explained.
The spokesperson concluded that the situation demands urgent government action to increase affordable housing supply and strengthen tenant rights, warning that without intervention, the crisis will only deepen for families simply trying to keep a roof over their heads.
