Look, stacking houses for rent in different parts of Australia against one another is a pretty sadistic exercise. If you’re somewhere like Sydney where the prices are insane, you’re likely to spit out your drink upon realising what folks over in Perth are paying. And if you’re an ambitious human based in Adelaide looking to move to the big smoke that is Melbourne, then you’ll likely have a similar reaction.

But that’s the thing, people. The more opportunities a city can provide, the more expensive it’ll be to live – something I’ve experienced firsthand making the escape from P-Town to the east coast’s more profitable shores.

So if you begin reading this and can’t help but mumble an “fml” under your breath, then make sure you take a second to think about your circumstances. There’s no point lusting over cheap houses for rent in different parts of our fine nation if you literally couldn’t secure an income needed to keep that roof over your head.

FYI: to keep things on an even playing field, all the houses for rent listed below are listed at $500 P/W or less and are within a reasonable distance of their respective capital city’s CBD.

HOUSES FOR RENT IN SYDNEY UNDER $500

2/69-73 Myrtle Street, Chippendale NSW 2008
1 bedroom / 1 bathroom

Yep, this one bedroom apartment in Chippendale coming in at exactly $500 P/W  is pretty standard for Sydney. Copping $250 per person as a couple isn’t too bad (spoken like someone who’s been living here for 2+ years), but if you prefer to occupy a dwelling solo, then this market’s really going to do a number on you.

“People just can’t afford the Sydney market,” Real Estate Institute of NSW chief executive Tim McKibbin told Domain. “Especially as wages aren’t keeping pace with the increases in property prices. There has to be a point where people can’t afford to keep going up with rent as well.”

That being said, it’s possible to find a diamond in the rough if you’re extremely vigilant.

HOUSES FOR RENT IN MELBOURNE UNDER $500

24/30 Chetwynd Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003
2 bedroom / 1 bathroom / 1 carpark

WELL AIN’T THIS A MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT?! This two bedder in West Melbourne is objectively chic, and working on the assumption that it’ll be leased as a sharehouse, it’s a lot more bang for your buck than its neighbour in the north.

HOUSES FOR RENT IN BRISBANE UNDER $500

1/168 Riding Rd, Balmoral QLD 4171
3 bedroom / 2 bathroom / 1 carpark

Not only is this well-lit, three bedroom apartment brand-spanking-new, it even has an office space which could easily be used AS A FOURTH BEDROOM. Yes, things are quite literally looking brighter in Brisbane, right?!

HOUSES FOR RENT IN CANBERRA UNDER $500

45/40 Philip Hodgins Street, Wright ACT 2611
3 bedroom / 2 bathroom / 2 carpark

While two bedroom houses for rent within pissing distance of Canberra‘s heart are the norm, you can find a bunch of three bedders just a short distance out like this place in Wright. Sure, you’ve gotta deal with navigating several roundabouts during your daily commute being a lil’ out, but the bang for your buck arguably makes it worthwhile.

HOUSES FOR RENT IN PERTH UNDER $500

2 Scott Street, Leederville WA 6007
3 bedroom / 1 bathroom / 2 carpark

This decently refurbished cottage-esque crib in Leederville pretty much sums up Perth’s market. Your cash goes a long way and really stretches if you’re looking at setting up a sharehouse situation. Given that there’s such a pronounced divide between the city’s CBD and its surrounding suburbs, you’ll likely end up in a house over an apartment/unit – something that could be a nice change of pace if you’re migrating from the east.

HOUSES FOR RENT IN ADELAIDE UNDER $500

42 Rose Street, Mile End SA 5031
3 bedroom / 2 bathroom / 1 carpark

Wanna know what $490 gets you in a suburb close to Adelaide? Polished floorboards, high ceilings, a facade worth calling your mum about, and a goddamn wine cellar, that’s what.

HOUSES FOR RENT IN HOBART UNDER $500

28 Homer Avenue, Moonah TAS 7009
2 bedroom / 2 bathroom / 3 carpark

Although coming in at $450 P/W, this two bedder is a bit of an outlier when it comes to bang for your buck in areas that aren’t Sydney or Melbourne. But like, LOOK AT THE DAMN THING. IT’S SO CUTE I JUST WANNA PUNCH IT. GAH.

What.

A.

Ride.

Not keen to hop off just yet/keen to have a gander at even more houses for rent around Australia? Can’t blame you. Go on, get stuck in a home hole HERE.