Housing affordability is worsening across Australia. Rents and mortgage repayments are rising at the fastest pace in decades. But how have the lingering effects of the pandemic, particularly the proliferation of remote work, changed how Australians value living in different locations?  

In a two-page e61 micro note, we find that: 

• Australians place less value on living closer to the city centre and more value on living closer to the coastline, particularly within capital cities.  

• Rents at the urban fringe have increased by $1300 per year relative to rents in the inner city.