Sydney · NSW · 2144

You'll need $79,387/yr to live in Auburn.

The 30%-rule benchmark for a single person, based on quarterly government bond data.

1BR median rent
$458/wk
Annual rent change
-0.7%
Rental stress (median income)
Yes
Bonds lodged
361

Location

Sydney, NSW

Rent trend

Quarterly median rent

Can you afford it on your salary?

Pick your bracket to see weekly leftover, budget breakdown and cheaper alternatives in Auburn

Closest to the $79,387/yr the 30% rule needs is highlighted.

Rent details

1 BR
$458/wk
2 BR
$600/wk
3 BR
$820/wk
4+ BR
$950/wk
Annual change
-0.7%
Quarterly change
+3.9%

Suburb affordability ledger

ABS Census 2021 (income WPI-indexed to 2026) · rent vs household income

Household income (est. 2026)
$1,809/wk
Median age
31
Avg household size
3.3
Rent-to-income
37%

Household income is the 2021 Census median indexed forward to 2026 by ABS wage growth; rent-to-income and stress compare current rent to that estimate.

About renting in Auburn

Auburn's 1-bedroom median rent is $458 a week, which puts it in the cheapest quarter of the 599 Sydney suburbs NestLedger tracks. Only 149 tracked suburbs ask less, so for renters working to a tight budget it is one of the area's genuine value options.

Rents have been broadly steady over the past year (-0.7%). Stability makes budgeting easier, though it says nothing about how the suburb compares on price.

Using the 30% affordability benchmark, a single renter needs about $79,387 a year to take on Auburn's 1-bedroom median rent without overextending (based on the $458/wk 1BR median, single household). On the local median household income, Auburn sits in rental stress: the median rent takes more than 30% of gross income.

Within its immediate area, Auburn is already one of the cheaper picks: nearby Lidcombe asks $680/wk. Renters trading down from here generally need to change area rather than suburb.

Is Auburn expensive to rent in?

Auburn's 1-bedroom median rent is $458/wk, below the middle of the 599 Sydney suburbs NestLedger tracks (149 tracked suburbs are cheaper).

What salary do I need to rent in Auburn?

About $79,387 a year for a single renter under the 30% rule: annual income = (weekly rent × 52) ÷ 0.3, using based on the $458/wk 1BR median, single household.

Is rent in Auburn going up?

Over the past year the 1-bedroom median rent moved -0.7%.

How is the salary needed calculated?

The salary needed uses the 30% rule: annual income required = (weekly rent x 52) / 0.3. This is a widely used affordability benchmark: spending more than 30% of gross income on rent is considered "rental stress".

Where does the rent data come from?

Rent data comes from government bond lodgement records: NSW DCJ, QLD RTA, VIC DFFH, SA Consumer and Business Services via SA Housing Authority, and Tasmania Department of Justice rental bond data. This covers actual bonds lodged, making it one of the most reliable rent data sources in Australia.