Property Values Doubling Every 10 Years: Is It a Fact or Just a Popular Myth?

There’s a well-known belief floating around Australian dinner tables and BBQs: property prices double every ten years. It sounds convincing, doesn’t it? But is it grounded in fact, or is it just another real estate myth?

Considering Australia’s housing market is valued at around $11 trillion, it’s no wonder that many myths and assumptions have sprung up over time. You’ve probably heard a few already, like “you need a 20% deposit” or “homes sell themselves if they’re good enough”.

One of the most persistent claims is that property values double every decade. Let’s take a closer look at what the data shows.

What’s Been Happening in the Property Market Lately?

In the past year, national home values have risen by 3.2 percent, reaching an average of $825,000. That’s an increase of about $25,000 in just twelve months.

Looking over the past five years, prices have grown by 39.1% according to CoreLogic, which translates to roughly $230,000 added to the median home value across Australia. These figures show solid growth, but do they support the idea of prices doubling in ten years?

Are Properties Doubling in Value Every Decade?

Not quite. Over the ten years leading up to April 2025, property values across Australia increased by 67.3%.The rise is notable, yet it doesn’t reach the 100% threshold that would indicate a full doubling.

Here’s how each capital city performed during those ten years:

• Adelaide: 93.6% (closest to doubling)
  
  
• Brisbane: 91.2 percent
  
  
• Hobart: 86.4%
  
  
• Sydney: 61.6%
  
  
• Canberra: 60.7%
  
  
• Perth: 55.6%
  
  
• Melbourne: 43.8%
  
  
• Darwin: -0.5%
  
  

Only Adelaide and Brisbane came close to hitting the 100% mark. Sydney and Melbourne, while showing more modest percentage growth, still delivered large increases in dollar value because of their higher base prices.

Another Common Misconception, Debunked

There’s also the widely held belief that properties in major capital cities consistently outperform regional areas when it comes to value growth. But the numbers from CoreLogic reveal a surprising twist.

Looking back to 2015, some of the biggest increases in home values haven’t been in the capitals at all. The strongest performers have been regional areas such as country New South Wales, where prices have surged by 97.5%. Regional Tasmania isn’t far behind with a 96.1% increase, while regional Queensland has grown by 91.5%.

Altogether, properties in Australia’s combined regional markets have risen to 87.5% over the past decade. In contrast, homes in the combined capital city markets have seen values grow by 61.7% during the same period.

Remember that capital city properties typically begin at a higher median price. The median value in capital areas sits at $905,000 compared to $673,000 in the regions. That means capital city homeowners might still achieve larger absolute gains in dollar terms, even if their percentage growth isn’t as high.

The Real Takeaway

It’s easy to lean on generalisations, especially when property talk is part of a relaxed weekend chat.

But when making a big financial move like buying a home, it’s worth setting the myths aside and focusing on the facts about first home buyer activity.

Not every area or property will double in value within ten years. Some may never reach that point. Your home may still experience solid growth over the long term.

With the right guidance and a loan that suits your financial situation, home ownership can be a practical and rewarding way to grow your wealth.

Partner with Osinski Finance for Smarter Property Decisions

At Osinski Finance, we know that property decisions shouldn't rely on outdated assumptions or generic advice. While property values doubling every decade might sound appealing, real success comes from strategies based on facts, not folklore.

We help Australians see through the noise by offering practical insights and personalised loan solutions that reflect the true state of the property market, not just what’s said at weekend barbecues.

Whether you’re buying, refinancing, or investing, we are ready to support you with expert guidance and finance options that suit your long-term goals.

Call us today and take the next step with certainty, backed by accurate market data and financial advice tailored to your goals.