They’ve long been popular interstate but new data suggests units are finally being embraced across South Australia.
Unit values climbed at a faster pace than those of houses in 2025 – across both metropolitan and regional areas – with experts explaining increasing demand was bolstering prices.
Latest PropTrack data reveals the median unit value jumped 14.1 per cent across Adelaide in the year ending December to $680,00.
Meanwhile, the median house price rose 12.5 per cent to $983,000.
Across regional SA, the median unit price was up 14.6 per cent to $462,000, while the median house price was 11.5 per cent higher at $493,000.
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Unit prices climbed at a faster pace than those of houses in 2025, new data reveals. Picture: Knight Frank
Harris Real Estate managing director Phil Harris said affordability was the driving force behind the shift.
Just as people turned to suburbs neighbouring those they wanted to live in for cheaper alternatives, Mr Harris said the same concept applied to property styles and types.
He said many were willing to give up a house for a unit or townhouse so they were able to afford to live in their desired suburb.
“We’re seeing that shift in lifestyle as well,” Mr Harris said.
“Pre-Covid, selling properties off the plan was very challenging in South Australia.
“Now there’s been a massive shift in buyer behaviour.”
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Harris Real Estate managing director Phil Harris.
Mr Harris said buying off the plan was very normal in the state now.
While medium and high-density living wasn’t as advanced in Adelaide as it was in the eastern states, Mr Harris said it was becoming more widely accepted.
“We’re never going to have that population but I think it’s full steam ahead,” he said.
Mr Harris said building up was arguably a better option than it was to build all new infrastructure to accommodate more housing in lesser-populated areas further from the city.
Turner Real Estate chief executive Emma Slape said back in October that her agency was noticing a change in preference for units over houses, mainly because the prices offered a better entry point.
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Turner Real Estate chief executive Emma Slape. Picture: Brad Griffin.
She said first-home buyers and even small families were opting for units because they were more affordable and offered other lifestyle benefits.
“Years ago we wouldn’t have seen as many first-home buyers or even people having a life change,” she said at the time.
“Now they want to be close to the city to access better schools and save on transport costs.”
Ms Slape said newer apartment complexes that had a bigger community focus and offered more flexibility, including allowing pets, also made units more appealing than ever before.
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