Investment Property Sunshine Coast: 2026 Market Guide

By Mossy Taheri, licensed buyer’s agent · Updated 25 October 2026 · Data to 30 September 2026

Sunshine Coast property market at a glance

The Sunshine Coast has grown from a holiday region into one of Queensland's largest cities, with a university hospital, a new city centre at Maroochydore and fast-growing estates at Caloundra South and Palmview. Owner-occupiers dominate, which supports values, and with a median house value of about $1.35 million it's one of the most expensive markets outside the capitals.

Median house value · Cotality, Aug 2026

$1.35m

Median unit value · Cotality, Aug 2026

$1m

Dwelling values, 12 months · Cotality, to Jul 2026

+11.6%

Gross rental yield, dwellings · Cotality, Jul 2026

3.5%

Houses, 10-year growth · HtAG

10.6% a year

Typical house rent · HtAG

$788 a week

Sources are listed with each figure; see the full list at the end of this guide. HtAG figures cover the Sunshine Coast council area, to 30 September 2026.

Sunshine Coast property prices and growth

The past year

Cotality's figures show Sunshine Coast dwelling values up 11.6% over the year to July 2026, but down 0.5% over the three months to July, as the slowdown in the capitals reached the regions. In August, Cotality put the median house value at about $1.35 million and the median unit value at about $1 million.

The long run

Over 10 years, HtAG's data shows typical house values in the Sunshine Coast council area growing 10.6% a year and units 9.6%. Next door, Noosa is the region's premium market, with higher values; its houses grew 9.7% a year over 10 years.

Three, five and 10 years: annual compound growth in typical values, HtAG Analytics, to 30 September 2026. HtAG’s values are modelled and smoothed, so they react to turning points more slowly than Cotality’s monthly index.

At 10.6% a year, a house worth $500,000 in 2016 would be worth about $1,372,000 today. That’s an average: individual suburbs and properties did much better or worse, and past growth is no guide to the future. Model your own scenarios in the property growth calculator.

Rents, yields and vacancy in Sunshine Coast

Cotality's figures show rents up 6.4% over the year to July 2026. A typical house rents for about $788 a week and a unit about $638, and rents have grown about 8% a year over five years. Because prices are high relative to rents, Cotality's gross yield of 3.5% is among the lowest of the regional markets, so the case for investing here rests mainly on growth.

Rents: HtAG Analytics typical weekly rent, September 2026.

Gross yield is a first filter, not the whole story. Test the cash flow of a specific property, after interest, rates, insurance, management and maintenance, in the property cash flow calculator.

Sunshine Coast council areas compared

Noosa is a separate council to the north, included for comparison: higher rents and values, and slightly slower growth over 10 years.

HtAG Analytics, typical weekly rents and annual compound growth in typical values, to 30 September 2026. Council figures hide big differences between suburbs, and a dash means there weren’t enough sales for a reliable figure.

What drives the Sunshine Coast property market

The Sunshine Coast has grown from a holiday destination into a substantial regional economy. Health care, education, construction and tourism are major employers, anchored by the Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya and the University of the Sunshine Coast. The new city centre at Maroochydore and the expanded Sunshine Coast Airport have added to the region's commercial base.

Population growth has come largely from people relocating from other parts of Queensland and from interstate, including retirees and families seeking a coastal lifestyle. New communities such as Aura at Caloundra South provide house-and-land supply, while established coastal suburbs, hinterland towns and Noosa each attract different buyers and tenants. Rental demand comes from hospital and university staff, tradespeople working on the region's building projects, families, and a smaller seasonal holiday market.

That variety means returns and risks differ sharply across the region. Beachside suburbs can be priced by lifestyle demand rather than rental income, hinterland properties can carry bushfire exposure, and areas near the Maroochy and Mooloolah rivers can be affected by flooding. A Sunshine Coast purchase should be judged suburb by suburb, against your brief. Travel time to Brisbane along the Bruce Highway also influences which suburbs suit commuters and which rely on local employment.

What to check before you buy in Sunshine Coast

• Health and education hub

  The hospital at Birtinya and the university at Sippy Downs support local employment and rental demand from staff and students.

• Owner-occupier demand

  Lifestyle buyers set prices in many coastal pockets, which can compress rental yields compared with less fashionable suburbs.

• New estate supply

  Large master-planned communities add homes steadily, which affects competition for tenants and resale in nearby areas.

• Flood and bushfire overlays

  River flats, canal areas and hinterland blocks should be checked against council hazard mapping before purchase.

• Short-stay rules

  Short-term letting is regulated differently by the Sunshine Coast and Noosa councils, which matters if a property relies on holiday demand.

What to watch in Sunshine Coast in 2026 and 2027

• Direct Sunshine Coast Rail. Stage 1 of the new rail line, from Beerwah to Caloundra, is being delivered ahead of the 2032 Games and would give the southern growth areas a rail link to Brisbane.
• New estates. Large estates at Caloundra South and Palmview add new homes every year, which can compete with established homes nearby for buyers and tenants.
• Affordability. Prices are high relative to local incomes, so the market relies on buyers from elsewhere. A slowdown in interstate migration would be felt quickly.
• The 2027 tax changes. From 1 July 2027, net rental losses on established homes bought after 7:30pm AEST on 12 May 2026 can no longer reduce tax on your salary; new builds keep negative gearing. The 50% capital gains discount is also being replaced by indexation for gains after that date. Read what the negative gearing reform means.

Buying costs for investors in Queensland

Stamp duty is the biggest upfront cost after your deposit. At 2026-27 general rates, transfer duty on an investment property in Queensland is:

Add legal and conveyancing fees, building and pest inspections, loan costs and lenders mortgage insurance if you borrow more than 80%. Land tax may apply each year depending on the land value you hold in Queensland. Estimate them in the QLD stamp duty calculator, the purchase cost calculator and the land tax calculator.

Is Sunshine Coast a good place to invest in 2026?

The Sunshine Coast has a strong growth record, a growing economy and major infrastructure ahead of 2032. Yields are modest, though, prices are high for a regional market and values have started to ease, so most properties are bought for growth rather than income. It suits investors who can carry a lower cash flow and buy houses with land in established suburbs rather than in the newest estates.

We don’t start with a city. We start with your budget, borrowing power and goals, then test Sunshine Coast against every market that fits, down to the suburb, street and property. See how we buy in Sunshine Coast as a buyers agent, or book a free discovery call.