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Mortgages now cheaper than rent in some Australian suburbs
Guardian Australia's analysis of Cotality data finds high rents and plateauing prices have made buying cheaper than renting in dozens of suburbs; the landlords remain unavailable for comment.
On air: Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger on BBN TonightPublished
Photo: Benh LIEU SONG ( Flickr ) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0Watch it as it aired: Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger on this story, from BBN Tonight at 7:55 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Guardian's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by The Guardian: “Mortgage repayments are now cheaper than rent in some Australian suburbs. Is yours among them?”
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7:55 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Gloria Vance and Hank Ledger.
- Topics: Australian.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIn Australia tonight, Guardian Australia's analysis of Cotality data shows mortgage repayments are now cheaper than rent in dozens of suburbs, as house prices plateau.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the bank is now the generous one. I've covered a lot of strange reversals, Gloria, and that is near the top.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe analysis says high rents and falling property prices have opened a rare window for tenants to become homeowners, which is different from the bank being generous.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA window. Does it stay open, or is it one of those windows that sticks?
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe data doesn't say how long it lasts. Prices have only plateaued, and the gap is narrowing, not closed, in the suburbs where it exists.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThen I'll take whichever suburb is cheapest, and I won't be needing the landlord's number.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorHank, a mortgage still needs a deposit, and I suspect your savings are mostly tinned.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTinned, and loyal.
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From the archive: everything BBN aired on Friday, October 16, 2026 · the World archive · all months
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