Poverty and living standards in Canberra-Queanbeyan, Australia: official figures
The median weekly rent paid by households in the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area was $450 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), joint 3rd highest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the Canberra-Queanbeyan Significant Urban Area (a continuous built-up area that can cross council and state borders).
What is the average mortgage repayment in Canberra-Queanbeyan?
The median monthly mortgage repayment in the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area was $2,058 at the 2021 Census (the national median was $1,863), 7th highest of 31 areas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra-Queanbeyan have no income?
7.0% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area had nil or negative personal income at the 2021 Census, 7th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Canberra-Queanbeyan are on a low income?
15.8% of residents of the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area had a personal income of $1 to $499 a week at the 2021 Census, below the national figure (23.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households in Canberra-Queanbeyan live on a low income?
6.8% of households in the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area that stated their income had a weekly household income below $500 (nil, negative or $1 to $499, before adjusting for household size) at the 2021 Census.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow crowded are homes in Canberra-Queanbeyan?
There were on average 0.8 people per bedroom in the Canberra-Queanbeyan urban area at the 2021 Census, and the median household income was $2,350 a week.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Canberra-Queanbeyan compares with other cities in Australia
Median weekly rent, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Canberra-Queanbeyan ranks 5 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Median weekly rent, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Greater Sydney | $470 |
| 3 | Gold Coast-Tweed Heads | $450 |
| 4 | Gold Coast | $450 |
| 5 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | $450 |
| 6 | Canberra | $450 |
| 7 | Sunshine Coast | $440 |
| 8 | Brisbane | $408 |
Residents with nil or negative income, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Canberra-Queanbeyan ranks 25 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Residents with nil or negative income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Townsville | 7.1% |
| 23 | Geelong | 7.1% |
| 24 | Canberra | 7.0% |
| 25 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 7.0% |
| 26 | Ballarat | 6.9% |
| 27 | Newcastle-Maitland | 6.8% |
| 28 | Sunshine Coast | 6.7% |
More on Canberra-Queanbeyan: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: 2021 Census General Community Profile DataPack: Significant Urban Areas, Australia, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1c2f3c0b329f…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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