NSW has secured a quarter of the nation’s Hot 100 suburbs – realestate.com.au’s expert-curated list of areas where home values are tipped to outperform in 2026, giving buyers and investors a clear head start for the new year.
Built from PropTrack market data and economic analysis compiled by a panel of experts including agency heads, buyers’ agents, researchers, investors and an academic, the list spotlights suburbs set to surge in the new year.
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NSW secured a quarter of Australia’s Hot 100 spotlighting suburbs for buyers and investors in 2026. Picture: Jeremy Piper
Sydney joined Darwin, Hobart and Melbourne among capitals posting some of the fastest annual gains, with 25 NSW picks expected to rise next year.
Affordability, amenity, family appeal, location, investment prospects, gentrification, population shifts and infrastructure were key drivers.
The selections span inner‑city and emerging regional hubs, many aligned to NSW Government rezonings and the imminent Western Sydney Airport.
According to REA Group senior economist Eleanor Creagh, price growth and investor interest generally concentrates where new employment, upgraded transport, new home delivery and anticipated population growth are intersecting.
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Eleanor Creagh
“Western Sydney features heavily particularly around the new airport and associated infrastructure corridor with new metro and rail connections,” Ms Creagh said.
Away from the capital cities, Ms Creagh said affordability was a key theme with regional picks tending to centre on larger hubs with more diversified economies supported by health, education, agriculture, logistics and tourism.
Bathurst was nominated by Propertyology managing director Simon Pressley for its affordability with a median house price of $660,000 and units at $458,000.
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186 Seymour Street, Bathurst sold in December for $550,000
“I anticipate the momentum created from a 7 per cent increase in buyer activity over the last 12 months to continue through to 2026,” he said.
On The Central Coast, Bateau Bay was highlighted for amenity, family appeal and demographic change by Real Estate Buyers Agents Association regional representative Matt Sharp.
“Gentrification is well underway, with more Sydney buyers and young families moving in, and limited new supply supporting property values,” Mr Sharp said.
Affordability, amenity, family appeal, location, investment prospects, gentrification, population shifts and infrastructure were drivers for the suburbs spotlighted. Picture: Monique Harmer
There were four suburbs in the city and inner south region spotlighted including Newtown nominated for amenity by Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee, pointing to Neoval data that reveals the median home price has jumped more than 50 per cent since 2015.
“Close to the CBD and well-serviced by public transport, Newtown combines cultural richness with convenience,” Ms Conisbee said.
These also included Zetland, Rosebery and Redfern.
In the inner south west Sans Souci was nominated by founder and ceo of McGrath Real Estate John McGrath due to its location.
“Part of the great southern suburbs of Sydney, on the water, and only 12 minutes to the airport on a good run,” Mr McGrath said. “What more could you want?”
NSW Hot 100 suburbs
Suburb Region (SA4) Capital city or regional
Austral Sydney – South West Greater Sydney
Bateau Bay Central Coast Greater Sydney
Bathurst Central West Rest of NSW
Boambee East Coffs Harbour – Grafton Rest of NSW
Box Hill Sydney – Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury Greater Sydney
Broadmeadow Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Rest of NSW
Calderwood Illawarra Rest of NSW
Charlestown Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Rest of NSW
Dubbo Far West and Orana Rest of NSW
Earlwood Sydney – Inner South West Greater Sydney
Five Dock Sydney – Inner West Greater Sydney
Hornsby Sydney – North Sydney and Hornsby Greater Sydney
Leppington Sydney – South West Greater Sydney
Little Bay Sydney – Eastern Suburbs Greater Sydney
Newtown Sydney – City and Inner South Greater Sydney
Redfern Sydney – City and Inner South Greater Sydney
Rosebery Sydney – City and Inner South Greater Sydney
Sans Souci Sydney – Inner South West Greater Sydney
Silverdale Sydney – Outer West and Blue Mountains Greater Sydney
South Coogee Sydney – Eastern Suburbs Greater Sydney
St Marys Sydney – Outer West and Blue Mountains Greater Sydney
Tamworth New England and North West Rest of NSW
Wallacia Sydney – Outer West and Blue Mountains Greater Sydney
Wyoming Central Coast Greater Sydney
Zetland Sydney – City and Inner South Greater Sydney
Source: realestate.com.au Hot 100 2026
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