Top 10 best suburbs in regional South Australia to invest in 2026
Regional South Australia is the unheralded hero of the Australian property market. Of all the regional property markets in Australia, SA’s has proved to be the strongest performer throughout the 2020s. Its star locations include tourist destinations like Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln and the towns of the renowned Barossa Valley, as well as the ‘Iron Triangle’ industrial region of Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie.
If you’re an investor considering a purchase in regional SA, the ‘best’ suburb will vary based on your budget, strategy, and risk tolerance. What positions a suburb among the ‘best’ in its class can vary: one investor might consider vacancy rates the deciding factor, while another could be more focused on local economic growth or buyer demand.
For our purposes, we’ve considered Cotality data highlighting South Australian suburbs boasting the largest annual growth in median property values from 2025 to 2026:
Rank | Suburb | Median value | Annual change |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Port Pirie West | $328,014 | +27.4% |
2 | Solomontown | $340,246 | +24.0% |
3 | Naracoorte | $451,173 | +21.3% |
4 | Freeling | $777,272 | +19.7% |
5 | Whyalla Stuart | $330,480 | +19.6% |
6 | Lyndoch | $887,324 | +19.0% |
7 | Whyalla Norrie | $332,913 | +18.7% |
8 | Risdon Park | $379,490 | +18.6% |
9 | Peterborough | $247,850 | +18.1% |
10 | Tumby Bay | $534,553 | +17.6% |
Source: Cotality, July 2026.
Buyer demand in regional South Australia
According to RealEstate.com.au, buyer demand in the following regional suburbs in SA has grown year-on-year:
Suburb | Demand growth |
|---|---|
Kensington Gardens | +94% |
Fairview Park | +66% |
Maslin Beach | +62% |
Source: PropTrack, March 2026. Buyer demand is measured by key enquiry numbers per property listing in a suburb.
What do you need to know about the regional South Australia property market in 2026?
According to August insights from Cotality, dwelling values in regional SA are up by 11.6% year-on-year. SA is also one of the few states where regional growth has trended upwards through all of 2026, with an increase of 2.1% between May and July.
Cotality lists the median dwelling values across regional SA in August 2026 as:
- Combined: $560,795
- Houses: $575,753
- Units: $410,343
If you’re looking at property outside of greater Adelaide, consider the following factors:
- Vacancy rates: According to the RealEstate.com.au, regional rental vacancy rates in SA were at 1.97% as of June 2026.
- Sales volumes: Cotality reports that regional SA has seen an increase in sales volume of 5.0% in the 12 months to August 2026.
- Rental growth: SA rental rates outside of Adelaide have grown by 6.0% in the 12 months to August 2026 (Cotality).
- Rental yield: Cotality data indicates that rental yields in regional SA are 4.4% as of August 2026. RealEstate.com.au’s April 2026 data cites a median weekly rent for a dwelling in regional parts of SA as $450.
- Infrastructure spending: The SA Government’s 2026-27 Budget has allocated $1.2 billion to projects in regional SA, including highway upgrades along key freight paths and redevelopments in public schools.
What is impacting price growth in regional South Australia?
While other states have experienced a mid-year slowdown in property sales and prices, regional SA has bucked the trend so far. The regions outside of greater Adelaide boast some of the most affordable properties in Australia, albeit with prices on the rise. These areas could well become hotspots for investors looking to enter the market before prices skyrocket.
Job opportunities in SA are also projected to grow, thanks to initiatives such as the State Prosperity Project (a state government initiative to boost the renewable energy, minerals and green manufacturing sectors) and AUKUS.
However, cost of living pressures and increasing core inflation could still impact growth in the future. Factors to be aware of include:
- RBA cash rate hikes: Multiple rate throughout the year have led banks and lenders to increase their home loan rates, putting the pressure on borrowers.
- Proposed changes to negative gearing and CGT: Investors may be hesitant due to Federal Budget reforms to Capital Gains Tax and negative gearing, set to apply in 2027, which are intended to nudge investors towards new builds and away from existing properties.
What to consider when buying property in regional South Australia?
As of December 2024, SA has a population of 1.8 million, with 1.4 million living in the Greater Adelaide area. Regional SA accounts for around 21% of the state’s population.
Government analysis predicts that the SA population will grow to between 2.33 million and 2.53 million by 2051.
The SA Government’s current Housing Roadmap has set a target of 50,000 new homes across the state, powered by a $1.5 billion investment in water and sewerage networks. Several private and public projects are also driving growth outside of Adelaide, including the government’s Renewal SA housing development agency.
In addition to price and demand trends, consider the following when you’re researching property in regional SA:
- Utility costs: Essential services including water supply, sewerage and waste collection, electricity and gas suppliers and mobile and broadband coverage.
- Flood and fire risk: Natural disaster risks and management, which are particularly important in rural and regional areas.
- Local amenities: Access to healthcare, education, shopping, entertainment and other services.
- Economic diversity: The impact of the region’s biggest employers and industries on the local economy.
