Over the past decade, the Sunshine Coast has changed significantly.
What was once largely known as a holiday and retirement destination has become one of Australia’s most sought-after regional property markets, attracting a much broader mix of buyers.
We’re seeing interstate buyers, families, professionals, investors and lifestyle buyers all competing for property across the region. And while the lifestyle remains a major drawcard, there’s much more happening beneath the surface.
So, what’s behind the Sunshine Coast’s growth and will this demand continue?
The Sunshine Coast in numbers
The numbers tell an interesting story.
Median house prices across the region have more than doubled since the mid-2010s.
Much of that growth has happened since the pandemic, with prices increasing 66.8% in the five years to the start of 2026, including a 12.1% increase during 2025, according to Cotality.
Another figure that caught our attention is the proportion of properties now selling above the $1 million mark.
In 2025, 38.3% of Sunshine Coast properties sold for more than $1 million, while 7.3% sold for more than $2 million.
That tells us something important about how the market has evolved.
The Sunshine Coast is no longer a market dominated by retirees and holiday-home buyers. There is now a much wider range of buyers competing for property, each with different reasons for moving to the region and different budgets.
That diversity has helped create a more established and resilient market.
So, why are buyers moving to the Sunshine Coast?
There isn’t one simple answer.
It’s the combination of lifestyle, employment, infrastructure, population growth and the ability to live somewhere that offers more space without completely disconnecting from the major employment centres.
A lifestyle that’s hard to beat
Let’s start with the obvious one.
The Sunshine Coast offers a lifestyle that is difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Beaches, national parks, walking tracks, cafes, restaurants and outdoor spaces are all part of everyday life. For many buyers, particularly those relocating from Sydney or Melbourne, that lifestyle is a major reason for making the move.
Since COVID, lifestyle has become a much bigger consideration for many property buyers.
We’re also seeing the Sunshine Coast receive more national attention, which continues to put the region on the radar of buyers who may not previously have considered it.
Baringa, for example, was recently named the number one Sunshine Coast suburb in realestate.com.au’s Hot 100 Suburbs for 2026.
The suburb was highlighted for its relative affordability compared with traditional coastal suburbs, as well as its schools, parks and local employment opportunities.
More attention brings more buyers, particularly when the fundamentals of the area stack up.
Work is no longer keeping everyone in the city
The way Australians work has changed considerably since COVID.
For many professionals, being within a short commute of a CBD office is no longer essential five days a week.
A recent KPMG study found that most senior executives believe three days in the office and two days working from home is becoming the new norm for many white-collar workers.
That flexibility has opened up the possibility of living further away from major employment centres.
For Sunshine Coast buyers, being able to enjoy the lifestyle while still having access to Brisbane when required is a significant advantage.
And as flexible working arrangements continue to evolve, we expect this to remain an important part of the region’s appeal.
Interstate migration is still supporting demand
Queensland has been one of the major beneficiaries of interstate migration in recent years.
The latest ABS data shows Queensland recorded strong population growth in the year to 30 June 2025.
Queensland also attracted the highest number of interstate migrants, with NSW accounting for much of the outflow.
The Sunshine Coast has benefited from this movement.
What’s particularly interesting is the changing profile of these buyers.
It’s no longer just retirees or people looking for a holiday home. We’re seeing younger families, professionals and first-home buyers considering the Sunshine Coast much earlier in their lives.
For many, it comes down to getting more from their property purchase: more space, a better lifestyle and access to the outdoors, without completely giving up employment opportunities.
And with South East Queensland continuing to prepare for the 2032 Olympics, the region is likely to remain firmly on the radar of interstate buyers.
Infrastructure could be the next piece of the puzzle
Population growth and lifestyle appeal are important, but infrastructure is another factor we’re watching closely.
Major infrastructure investment can have a significant impact on a region. It creates jobs, improves connectivity and supports population growth, while also making different parts of an area more accessible.
One project that continues to attract attention is the proposed Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, which would improve the connection between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
If delivered as planned, the project could make the region even more attractive to professionals who need to travel into Brisbane regularly.
The Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme is also focused on accommodating future population growth, housing supply and employment while retaining the character that makes the region attractive in the first place.
Of course, infrastructure projects take time and proposed projects don’t automatically translate into immediate property growth.
But they are important factors to consider when looking at the region’s long-term fundamentals.
What does this mean for buyers?
For us, the interesting part of the Sunshine Coast market isn’t simply that prices have gone up.
It’s why people are prepared to pay those prices.
The buyer pool has changed. The region is attracting people for different reasons and from different stages of life.
That has created competition across a range of price points and suburbs, particularly for properties that offer the things buyers increasingly value: lifestyle, location, good amenity, access to transport and the ability to live comfortably.
That doesn’t mean every property on the Sunshine Coast is a good buy.
As the market has grown, the gap between a good property and an average one has become increasingly important.
Paying a premium for the right property can make sense, but only when the fundamentals stack up.
For buyers considering the Sunshine Coast, understanding the suburb, the property and what comparable homes are actually selling for is more important than simply following the broader market headlines.
The Sunshine Coast isn’t standing still
The Sunshine Coast has come a long way over the past decade and there’s little indication that the region is going to stop evolving.
Population growth, infrastructure investment, changing work patterns and the lifestyle on offer are all continuing to attract buyers.
But as the market becomes more established, buyers need to be increasingly selective.
The days of simply buying anything on the Sunshine Coast and expecting it to perform are long gone.
There is still plenty of opportunity, but finding the right property at the right price requires a clear strategy and a good understanding of the local market.
For buyers, the strategy now matters just as much as the location.
Thinking about buying on the Sunshine Coast?
Whether you’re relocating, investing or looking for your next home, having a local team in your corner can make all the difference.
At PMC Property Buyers, we know the Sunshine Coast market, the suburbs and the opportunities that don’t always make it to the open market.
Looking to buy on the Sunshine Coast? Get in touch with the PMC team to discuss your property goals and how we can help you find the right property, at the right price.