Muval Index 2024: The New Great Australian Dream
We are thrilled to present the 2024 Muval Index, our fourth annual deep dive into internal migration trends across Australia. This year’s report offers a comprehensive overview of where Australians are moving and why, as well as the broader economic, social, and lifestyle trends that are influencing these decisions.
As a nation, Australia continues to see significant internal migration driven by housing affordability, lifestyle choices, and shifting economic conditions. In this extended analysis, we explore the driving forces behind Australian migration and unpack what these trends mean for Australians looking to relocate in the coming years.
A Nation on the Move: Interstate Migration Trends
The 2024 Muval Index begins by reaffirming Australia’s status as one of the most mobile nations globally when it comes to relocating. Thousands of Australians move each year, with Muval's data offering real-time insights into emerging migration patterns, compared to other data sources which often lag by months if not years.
Interstate moving enquiries net migration trends
This year, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth emerged as key cities to watch out of all major metros, though each experienced different trajectories. Melbourne, which returned briefly to positive net migration for the first time since COVID-19, saw a significant boost in inbound moves early in the year. However, it struggled to maintain momentum, with Brisbane quickly overtaking it as the city with the highest positive net migration.
Inbound interstate migration trends by city
Outbound interstate migration trends by city
At the same time, outbound migration from major cities like Sydney and Melbourne continued as residents sought more affordable and appealing living conditions elsewhere. This movement reflects broader trends of Australians seeking new opportunities and better work-life balance, especially in more affordable suburban and regional areas.
MuveRank 2024 Data: A Real-Time Look at Migration
This year's Index releases 2024's MuveRank data in the first public data push since it's official launch last year. MuveRank provides a real-time view of migration patterns at the local government area (SA4) level, making it possible to track the ebb and flow of population movement down to specific regions / almost suburb level.
While the above analysis looks exclusively at interstage migration, MuveRank also considers migration within cities.
According to the 2024 data, areas of Melbourne dominated the rankings, with several of its regions experiencing strong net migration gains. Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) emerged as the area with the largest positive net migration, reflecting Canberra’s increasing popularity as a place to live. This data offers early indicators of migration trends and helps pinpoint which areas are experiencing the greatest population gains and losses.
Top 5 Moving Capitals (Total Migration)
- Melbourne - Inner
- Melbourne - West
- Sydney - City and Inner South
- Melbourne - South East
- Brisbane Inner City
Top 5 Gain Areas (Positive Net Migration):
- Australian Capital Territory
- Melbourne - South East
- Melbourne - West
- Melbourne - Outer East
- Melbourne - North East
Top 5 Loss Areas (Negative Net Migration):
- Brisbane Inner City
- Sydney - City and Inner South
- Darwin
- Perth - Inner
- Brisbane - South
The New Great Australian Dream
The Muval Index also delves into the evolving aspirations of Australians when it comes to housing and lifestyle. Historically, the "Great Australian Dream" was synonymous with homeownership. However, in 2024, this dream has shifted, with more Australians prioritizing lifestyle over property ownership.
Reasons for moving in the next 12 months
As economic uncertainty and the rising cost of living have placed significant strain on household budgets, Australians are increasingly choosing to relocate for reasons beyond work or housing. The data shows that a growing number of Australians are now moving to improve their quality of life, with nearly 30% of people moving to upgrade their homes in 2024, compared to just 16% in 2023.
Key Motivations for Moving in 2024:
- Lifestyle improvements (41%): Australians are seeking more balanced, fulfilling lives, prioritizing lifestyle changes over job opportunities.
- Upgrading homes (38%): Home upgrades are becoming more common, as Australians look for more space or better living conditions.
- Reducing cost of living (29%): Economic pressures continue to drive moves, with many Australians looking to reduce their living costs.
What are you considering in the next 12 months?
Relocation Rebound: The Economic Context
The 2024 Muval Index explores the economic forces shaping migration trends, particularly the potential for a relocation rebound as economic conditions improve. In recent years, the cost of living has been a primary driver of migration, with Australians moving to more affordable areas in response to rising property prices and inflation.
The report suggests that while migration has slowed during periods of economic uncertainty, there is strong potential for a relocation boom in the near future. With interest rates expected to fall in 2025, many households are likely to resume moving as economic conditions stabilize. This rebound could have significant implications for both urban and regional areas, as more Australians look to take advantage of improved affordability and lifestyle opportunities.
Moving and Economic Downturns
A 20-Year Low in Removalist Demand
Interestingly, 2024 has seen a 20-year low in demand for professional removalists. This trend could be due to a combination of factors, including the economic slowdown and a growing number of people opting to “DIY” their moves to save on costs. Despite this, Muval’s data suggests that demand for removalist services will likely rebound as economic conditions improve.
Removalist Search Trend Data
Source: Google Trends
Cost Comparison: DIY or Removalists?
In addition to tracking migration trends, the 2024 Muval Index includes a detailed cost comparison between DIY moves and hiring professional removalists. For many Australians, especially those moving interstate, the decision to go DIY can offer significant cost savings. However, the data also shows that there are instances where professional services are more convenient, particularly for larger moves.
The report provides cost comparisons for moves between Australia’s major cities, showing potential savings for those willing to do the heavy lifting themselves. For example, moving from Sydney to Melbourne with a professional removalist could cost upwards of $5,000, while opting for a DIY container move could bring the cost down to around $2,900.
Brisbane Outbound:
Destination | Professional Moving Company | Self-Pack | DIY Savings |
to Sydney | $4,851 | $2,874 | $1,977 |
to Melbourne | $5,195 | $2,885 | $2,310 |
to Adelaide | $6,070 | $3,710 | $2,360 |
to Perth | $8,367 | $7,828 | $539 |
Sydney Outbound:
Destination | Professional Moving Company | Self-Pack | DIY Savings |
to Brisbane | $4,624 | $3,723 | $901 |
to Melbourne | $4,575 | $3,034 | $1,541 |
to Adelaide | $5,361 | $3,695 | $1,666 |
to Perth | $8,460 | $7,699 | $761 |
Melbourne Outbound:
Destination | Professional Moving Company | Self-Pack | DIY Savings |
to Brisbane | $5,863 | $4,425 | $1,438 |
to Sydney | $5,010 | $3,186 | $1,824 |
to Adelaide | $4,822 | $3,062 | $1,760 |
to Perth | $7,297 | $6,934 | $363 |
Adelaide Outbound:
Destination | Professional Moving Company | Self-Pack | DIY Savings |
to Brisbane | $5,741 | $4,264 | $1,477 |
to Sydney | $4,582 | $3,370 | $1,212 |
to Melbourne | $4,180 | $2,742 | $1,438 |
to Perth | $6,512 | $6,026 | $486 |
Perth Outbound:
Destination | Professional Moving Company | Self-Pack | DIY Savings |
to Brisbane | $8,022 | $4,663 | $3,359 |
to Sydney | $5,412 | $3,000 | $2,412 |
to Melbourne | $5,614 | $2,873 | $2,741 |
to Adelaide | $5,157 | $2,713 | $2,444 |
Employee Relocations: Reimagined
The Muval Index also highlights Muval’s new Employee Relocations Software platform, designed to simplify the complex task of moving employees for work. This platform offers a centralized solution for HR professionals, allowing them to manage relocations more effectively while providing a seamless experience for employees.
The report emphasizes the benefits of this platform for both employers and employees, from flexible budget management to real-time tracking of relocation statuses. With Muval’s vast network of professional removalists, the Employee Relocations platform aims to reduce the financial and logistical stress associated with work-related moves.
Key Features for HR Professionals:
- Customizable Policies: Set tailored budgets and approval workflows for different employee levels.
- Flexible Budgets: Employers can set relocation budgets, with employees able to pay for additional services if they exceed their allowance.
- Real-Time Dashboard: Track every stage of an employee’s move in one centralized platform.
Entertaining Kids During a Move With Makedo Toolkits
Finally, the 2024 Muval Index includes a lighter section dedicated to families moving with children. Anyone who has moved house with kids knows how challenging it can be to keep them entertained during the process. Luckily, moving comes with plenty of boxes—an endless source of amusement for creative children.
We recommend using Makedo cardboard construction kits to turn those empty boxes into playtime activities (use MUVAL15 to get 15% off!). These kits allow kids to safely cut, build, and create everything from forts to rocket ships, making the moving process more enjoyable for the whole family.
Looking Ahead
The 2024 Muval Index paints a complex but optimistic picture of Australia’s internal migration landscape. While economic uncertainty has slowed migration in some areas, the data suggests that Australians are increasingly prioritizing lifestyle and affordability in their decisions to move. With interest rates expected to fall and economic conditions improving, the country may be on the verge of a relocation rebound.
For now, Melbourne and Brisbane are the cities to watch, with both showing strong net migration gains in 2024. However, as Australians continue to adapt to the pressures of the cost of living and seek a better quality of life, we can expect to see further shifts in migration patterns across the country.
As always, Muval will continue to track these trends, providing the latest insights into where Australians are moving and why.
Methodology & Data
The data for the Muval index comes from a nationally representative sample survey run by PureProfile and anonymised removalists enquiry data from the Muval platform.
MuveRank rankings are developed in collaboration with leading population geographers at The University of Queensland. The data comes from more than 350,000 de-identified and anonymised records of planned moves by Muval users, spanning from January 2019 to October 2024. No personally identifiable information has been used in this analysis. These records were geocoded according to the Australian Statistical Geography Standard and cleaned to ensure accuracy, removing entries with insufficient address information. The analysis was carried out by creating origin-destination matrices at multiple geographical levels, providing a granular view of migration patterns.
This data was then compared to two sources of official statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics: the Regional Internal Migration estimates and the 2021 Census data. The comparison involved regressing quarterly Muval data against these official datasets to assess correlations and identify any biases, particularly towards capital city regions and Greater Melbourne. The insights from this regression analysis helped refine the models used to predict migration flows.
Other Muval Index Reports
- Muval Index 2024 - The New Great Australian Dream
- Muval Index 2023 - Rates, Rents and Relocation
- Muval Index 2022 - From COVID to Cost of Living
- Muval Index 2021 - Unboxing the Relocation of the Nation
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