Where New South Wales is moving: Autumn 2026

Sydney remains one of the most aspirational property markets in the country, and the most recent data of people searching on a-d.com.au (1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026) confirms that appetite isn’t fading. 

From Barangaroo to Albury, from Zetland to the North Shore, people across New South Wales are active, focused, and increasingly clear about what they want to spend. Here’s a look at what the numbers are showing.

The suburbs people are choosing

Barangaroo led all New South Wales suburbs in search popularity this quarter, which reflects both the prestige of the address and the quality of what’s on offer there. One Sydney Harbour - the state’s most popular development - is a significant address generating real competition among people who want to own something genuinely landmark.

Albury came in second, which is one of the more interesting data points of the quarter. It also topped the list of source suburbs - meaning the people searching for new homes in Albury are overwhelmingly already living there. This isn't a city attracting tree-changers or remote workers fleeing Sydney. It's a community with its own momentum, where local demand is strong and people are ready to invest in where they already are. 557 in Albury performed strongly this quarter - a development that speaks directly to that confidence

Ashbury came in third, with Ashbury Terraces drawing consistent interest from people looking for something between the apartment and the house - a home with real character in an established inner-west suburb.

Zetland and Castle Hill were both highly searched, sitting at opposite ends of the city and attracting very different people: Zetland drawing inner-city apartment seekers, Castle Hill drawing families and upgraders in Sydney’s north-west growth corridor.

The rest of the top 10 most popular suburbs - Rozelle, Melrose Park, North Sydney, Crows Nest and Sydney - tells a story of people thinking across the whole city rather than anchoring to a single pocket.

Where people are searching from

Knowing where people are searching from adds an interesting layer to the suburbs story.

Albury topped the list of New South Wales source suburbs, which makes complete sense. The people searching for new homes in Albury are already living there, investing in a city they believe in. It's one of the clearest signs in the data that regional New South Wales doesn't need Sydney's attention to thrive - it's generating its own momentum from within.

Sydney CBD, North Kellyville, Zetland and Darlinghurst all featured - a spread that reflects the city's diversity, from inner-city renters ready to buy to families in the north-west looking to upgrade.

Liverpool, Five Dock, Chatswood, Castle Hill and Lavington rounded out the top 10 suburbs from which people were searching. Together, they paint a picture of a market where interest is genuinely spread across the city and beyond - not concentrated in one pocket, but alive across the whole state.

The homes people are looking at

The most popular developments in New South Wales this quarter span a genuine range of price points, locations and types of off-the-plan dwellings. What they have in common is quality and conviction.

One Sydney Harbour in Barangaroo led the state - a development that needs little introduction. 557 in Albury came in second, which speaks to how well-designed regional homes can compete when they’re done right. Ashbury Terraces in third reflects real appetite for terrace-style living among people who want more space without committing to a full detached house.

The Avenues in Zetland and Showground Pavilions in Castle Hill both performed well: two very different homes at very different price points, each clearly resonating with the people they’re made for.

Rozelle Village was also a popular choice amongst users across a-d.com.au - one of the more significant urban renewal developments in Sydney’s inner west - a home with genuine place-making ambition. The Walden in North Sydney and Falcon & Alexander in Crows Nest both benefited from the renewed energy around that part of the city, with the Victoria Cross Metro Station transforming what’s possible on the Lower North Shore.

Aeris Melrose Park and Hyde Metropolitan in Sydney rounded out the top 10 list: one in one of the city’s faster-growing precincts; one a prestigious city address that speaks for itself.

Who’s buying right now

The types of people searching for a new home in New South Wales this quarter shifted in one meaningful direction: those looking to grow their property investment portfolio grew from 20% to 23%, making them the equal-largest group alongside people buying their first home. It's a sign that New South Wales' combination of strong rental demand, established suburbs and quality new homes continues to attract people thinking about the long game.

New South Wales has a strong rental market, established fundamentals in both Sydney and regional cities, and a pipeline of quality new homes in locations with genuine long-term demand. It’s not surprising that people building a portfolio are paying attention.

People buying their first home also grew, to 23% - the highest of any state this quarter. New South Wales remains a place where people buying their first home are an active and significant part of the new home market. The range of what’s available - from Albury at sub-$700k to North Sydney and above - means there are genuine options across the spectrum.

People trading a family home for something that better suits their lifestyle now held steady at 22%, while others simply wanting to move into something brand new dropped from 18% to 16%. The share of window shoppers getting a feel for what’s out there remained stable at 12% - the lowest of any state - suggesting that when people in New South Wales engage, they tend to already be closer to a decision.

What people are spending

New South Wales' spending data tells a clear and consistent story: people are spending more.

Those with between $1m and $2m to spend on a new home grew from 41% to 46% - already the dominant range, it’s becoming more so. This is where most active people in New South Wales now sit, and where competition is most intense.

People spending between $750k and $1m dropped from 23% to 17%. That fall represents people either stretching further than expected, or taking more time to get there. Given the strength of first home activity, it’s likely a bit of both.

Those with budgets between $2m and $5m grew to 22%, reflecting ongoing confidence at the premium end. One Sydney Harbour and The Walden are drawing people at this level, and the data suggests they’re active and ready.

One notable point for New South Wales: people spending $5m and above dropped from 8% to 4%. It's a small shift, and likely says more about the mood of people with more to spend than anything fundamental changing: the appetite is still there, just a little more considered right now.

How long people are taking to buy

New South Wales sits in the middle ground compared to the other eastern seaboard states. The share of people looking to buy within 1-3 months dropped from 27% to 24% - a shift that suggests people are being thoughtful rather than hesitant - doing the research, taking their time, and waiting for the right home rather than the first available one.

People wanting more time - 6-12 months - grew from 21% to 26%, which mirrors the pattern we’re seeing nationally: people are taking a longer view, doing more research, and not rushing. 

The 3-6 month window grew slightly to 26%, which means roughly half of all people in New South Wales are planning to move within six months. If you’re in that window, understanding what’s available right now - and what’s coming - is key.

What this means if you’re thinking about buying

New South Wales is a broad market with real variety - in price, in location, and in the kind of people buying - and this quarter’s data reflects that.

People buying their first home and people growing their portfolio are the most active right now, and they’re often looking at the same homes. If you’re buying your first place - particularly in suburbs like Zetland, Albury, or Melrose Park - understanding who else is looking is worth knowing.

Spending is concentrating in the $1m-$2m range. The sub-$1m market is thinning, but it’s not gone, and Albury is one of the clearest examples of a market where genuine value still exists for people willing to look beyond Sydney.

The developments performing best - One Sydney Harbour, Rozelle Village, Falcon & Alexander, Ashbury Terraces - are each very different, but they share a common quality: they’re designed for the long term. That’s what people are responding to, and it’s the best lens through which to look at any new home you’re considering.

For more off-the-plan property news, click here.