Housing costs remain Australians’ top financial worry heading into 2026

Housing costs are once again weighing heaviest on Australians’ minds, topping the list of financial worries for 2026, according to Canstar’s latest Consumer Pulse Report.

Concerns about the cost of mortgages and rent were nominated by 22% of respondents, making housing the nation’s biggest financial stress point for the year ahead—more than double the level seen five years ago.

1. Housing costs | Mortgages and rent

Whether it’s steep mortgage repayments or surging rents, the cost of keeping a roof over one’s head continues to dominate household anxiety. Millennials, in particular, are feeling the pinch. Monthly repayments on a $600,000, 30-year home loan taken out before the Reserve Bank’s tightening cycle are now around $3,734 a month—roughly 50% higher than in May 2022.

Renters are also under pressure, with Gen Z the most troubled by rental costs. Half of all renters report average weekly rent increases of $62, up from $53 last year.

2. Grocery prices

The price of groceries remains Australians’ second-biggest financial concern, cited by 18% of households. While this is down slightly from 20% last year, households are still spending more at the checkout, with the average weekly grocery bill now $202. Of those seeing increases, 93% say higher prices — rather than buying more — are the main driver.

3. Electricity and gas bills

Electricity and gas costs continue to rank among Australians’ top three financial concerns for the ninth year running. Concern has risen from 7% to 10% over the past year, coinciding with the winding back of federal energy bill relief. In 2025, the average quarterly electricity bill rose $68 to $439, while gas bills increased $17 to $242

4. Insurance premiums

Rising insurance costs remain firmly in the top five financial worries for a second consecutive year. In 2025, 39% of property owners experienced an average home and contents insurance increase of $480, yet only 11% switched providers and secured a lower premium. Among renters, 42% saw contents insurance costs rise by an average of $89.

5. House price movements

Concern about house price movements rounds out Australians’ top five financial worries for 2026. Most respondents (56%) expect prices to continue growing at a steady pace over the next two years, while 17% believe prices could skyrocket. Just 5% expect prices to ease or crash, suggesting limited confidence that affordability pressures will ease any time soon.

Australians are heading into 2026 with cost-of-living pressures still firmly front of mind. While concerns have eased slightly in some areas, essential expenses continue to dominate financial anxiety, particularly for younger households. With more than one in three Australians expecting to struggle with at least one bill or loan repayment next year, the data suggests many households remain focused on staying afloat rather than getting ahead.