Australia’s regional cities continue to appeal to capital city dwellers with migration from cities to the regions outpacing movements in the reverse direction.

The latest Regional Movers Index shows 32.2% more people are moving from capital cities to regional areas than back in the opposite direction. Migration from regional areas to the capitals, accounts for an 8.6% of moves which is the second-lowest share of regional-to-capital migration since COVID lockdowns were lifted three years ago.

City dwellers are increasingly flocking to regional New South Wales and Victoria, with the two states accounting for 71% of all net regional inflows in the December quarter of 2024 (up from 66% at the same time in 2023.) The Sunshine Coast retained its position as the most popular regional destination for city movers for the ninth consecutive quarter, although that has been gradually declining.

Lake Macquarie was the second most popular destination, followed by Greater Geelong, Moorabool and Maitland.